| Philip Rivers was born on December 8, 1981 in Decatur, | | | | with 51. This not only showed his consistency, but also |
| Alabama. Rivers is one of the best young | | | | his determination to lead his team game in and game |
| quarterbacks in the world, and he has proven this time | | | | out. Rivers led the Wolfpack to four bowl games, and |
| and time again on the field. Not only does he have all | | | | came home with wins in three of them. |
| of the physical tools needed by a good quarterback, | | | | Rivers was drafted by the New York Giants with the |
| but he is also one of the smarter players in the game | | | | fourth pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Shortly thereafter he |
| as well. When you combine these two things it is easy | | | | was traded to the San Diego Chargers for fellow |
| to see why he will be a great player in the NFL for | | | | quarterback Eli Manning. After a bit of a delay, Rivers |
| many years to come. | | | | finally signed a six year contract worth $40.5 million. |
| Rivers attended Athens High School, and excelled both | | | | During the 2004 season Rivers saw limited action, |
| in the classroom and on the football field. As a senior | | | | appearing in only two games. The 2005 season was |
| he played both safety and quarterback, and this led to | | | | more of the same as he was not able to beat out |
| him being named the Alabama Football Player of the | | | | Drew Brees for the starting quarterback position. |
| Year. | | | | Rivers was finally named the starting quarterback in |
| After high school Rivers chose to take his game to | | | | 2006 after Brees departed for New Orleans. During |
| North Carolina State University. During his days playing | | | | his first season as a full time starter Rivers put up solid |
| for the Wolfpack, Rivers broke nearly every school | | | | numbers. He did a very good job managing the game |
| and conference record. Perhaps his greatest record is | | | | which was evident by the Chargers 14-2 record, and |
| that for most games started by a college quarterback | | | | AFC West Championship. |