Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GCB, GCVO, GBE, KCMG, DSO
Portrait of Game held by Government House.
26th Governor of New South Wales
In office 29 May 1930 – 15 January 1935
Monarch	George V
Lieutenant	Sir Philip Street
Preceded by	Sir Dudley de Chair
Succeeded by	Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven
14th Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
In office 1 November 1935 – 1 June 1945
Monarch	George V Edward VIII George VI
Preceded by	The Lord Trenchard
Succeeded by	Sir Harold Scott
Personal details
Born	(1876-03-20)20 March 1876 Streatham, Surrey, United Kingdom
Died	4 February 1961(1961-02-04) (aged 84) Sevenoaks, Kent, United Kingdom
Spouse(s)	Gwendolen Hughes-Gibb
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army  Royal Air Force
Years of service	1893 – 1929
Rank	Air Vice-Marshal
Unit	Royal Artillery 46th Division Royal Flying Corps
Commands	AOC RAF India Air Member for Personnel
Battles/wars	Second Boer War World War I Battle of Neuve Chapelle
Awards	Mention in Despatches (6) Order of the Crown of Italy Legion d'Honneur

Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Woolcott Game GCB, GCVO, GBE, KCMG, DSO (30 March 1876 – 4 February 1961) was a British Royal Air Force commander, who later served as Governor of New South Wales and Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Born in Surrey in 1876, Game was educated at Charterhouse School and entered the military at Royal Military Academy Woolwich, gaining his commission in 1895. Serving with the Royal Artillery, Game saw action in the Second Boer War and the First World War. After serving with distinction and bravery, Game transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in early 1916 serving as General Trenchard's chief staff officer. Finishing the War as an acting major-general, Game remained in the Royal Air Force after the close of hostilities. Notably he served as Air Officer Commanding RAF India and Air Member for Personnel. He retired from the military in 1929 having reached the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.

In March 1930, Game was appointed Governor of New South Wales, serving during a time of political instability and coming into conflict with the NSW Labor Government over attempts to abolish the New South Wales Legislative Council. Game dismissed the Government of Premier Jack Lang in May 1932 following illegal activity by Lang. Ending his term in January 1935, Game returned to Britain and was appointed Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in London. He held it during the tumultuous 1930s, the 1936 abdication crisis and the Second World War, before retiring at the end of the war in 1945. Retiring with his wife Gwendoline to his home in Kent, Game died in February 1961, aged 84.^[1]

Early life and career[link]

Game was born in Streatham, Surrey, England, on 30 March 1876 to George Beale Game, a merchant from Broadway, Worcestershire, and his wife Clara Vincent. Before entering the army, he was educated at Charterhouse School. Following officer training at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich, Game was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 2 November 1895 into the Royal Artillery. Promoted to Lieutenant on 2 November 1898 and further promoted to Captain on 20 June 1901, he served in the Second Boer War and was Mentioned in Dispatches. As a young artillery Captain he was made officer in charge of the gun carriage bearing the coffin of Queen Victoria at her funeral in 1901.^[2] Following brief postings in India and Ireland, Game attended the Staff College, Camberley in 1910 and was posted as a GSO at the War Office. He later won the Royal United Services Institute Gold Medal Essay. On 11 August 1908 he married Gwendolen Hughes-Gibb, the daughter of Francis Hughes-Gibb of Dorset, and was promoted as a Major on 15 February 1912.^[2]

Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Game served on the front in France, including at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. In the war he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the Légion d'honneur and the Order of the Crown of Italy and was five times Mentioned in Dispatches.^[3][4] In early 1916 Game transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a result of Hugh Trenchard's request for an experienced staff officer to serve in his headquarters. Game transferred to the Royal Air Force on its creation in 1918.^[2] At the end of the war, Game continued to work under Trenchard, but as Director of Training and Organisation in the RAF. In 1922 he was promoted to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal and appointed Air Officer Commanding RAF India. The next year he took up the post of Air Member for Personnel and was appointed as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) a year later.^[5] Game retired suddenly on 1 January 1929, at the age of 52, allegedly owing to the rumours of his being appointed Chief of the Air Staff.^[6][7] On 1 March 1929 he was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in the military division (GBE).^[8]

Governor of New South Wales[link]

At the height of the Great Depression, Game was appointed Governor of New South Wales in Australia in March 1930.^[9] He arrived in Sydney, New South Wales with his family in May 1930. On 30 June 1930, Game was appointed by King George V a Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order of St John (KStJ).^[10] At the October 1930 State elections the Bavin Nationalist Government was defeated and the Labor Party leader, Jack Lang, became Premier.^[7]

Legislative Council abolition[link]

Lang’s previous term of office from 1925 to 1927 had brought him into conflict with Game’s predecessor, Sir Dudley de Chair, over the proposed appointment of additional members to the Legislative Council, in order to enable the abolition of the house, using the same techniques used to abolish the Queensland Legislative Council in 1922. His inability to gain control in the Upper House obstructed Lang’s legislative programme and in November 1930, claiming a mandate to abolish the Council, Lang's Labor MLCs put forward two bills, one to repeal section 7A of the NSW Constitution (which prevented the abolition of the Council without a referendum), the other to abolish the Council. Lang requested the necessary additional appointments to pass the legislation from Game. However, these requests were met with Game’s refusal.^[1]

Premier Jack Lang. Throughout the Legislative Council dispute and the events leading to his dismissal, Lang and Game maintained a cordial relationship.

Believing that a referendum was necessary before the bills could become law, the Legislative Council permitted the bills to pass without a division on 10 December. Lang then announced his intention of presenting the bills for Game's Royal assent without a referendum. The following day, two members of the Legislative Council, Thomas Playfair and Arthur Trethowan, applied for and were granted an injunction preventing the President of the Council, Sir John Peden, and the ministers from presenting the bills to the Governor without having held a referendum. On 23 December the Supreme Court of New South Wales in the case of Trethowan v. Peden, upheld the injunction and ordered the government not to present for royal assent, unless ratified by the electors in a referendum, bills to abolish the council.^[11] Lang immediately prepared an appeal to the High Court of Australia. In the case of Attorney-General (New South Wales) v. Trethowan, the appeal was rejected by a majority of the court. Lang then appealed this decision to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. The Privy Council then delayed the appeal until April 1932.^[12]

Reflecting his status as a representative of the British Government, Game at all times informed the Dominions Office of political developments. In hard financial times, NSW soon came into conflict with the federal government as Lang’s unorthodox financial policy opposed the economic orthodoxy advocated by Sir Otto Niemeyer, who was the main financial advisor to the Federal Scullin Labor Government and later the Lyons United Australia Party Government. In July 1931, in a personal contribution towards economic recovery, Game notified Treasury to make a 25% deduction from his own monthly salary.^[1]

Lang's Government soon introduced legislation to cope with the economic problems the state was facing. Its first move was the Reduction of Interest Bill, which was intended to default on payments of overseas debts to British bondholders in an attempt to negotiate the interest rate. The Legislative Council prevented passage on 26 March 1931 by resolving that the bill be read again in six months time. Lang again asked for additional members to force his legislation through. Game, aware of the weight of opinion in the MacDonald Government in London, the Scullin Government in Canberra, and Sydney against the Lang administration's financial policies, refused. On 28 March the Federal Labor Party expelled the New South Wales Labor Party for its opposition to the financial policy of the Federal government. Despite various petitions and demands that he dismiss Lang, Game declined to act. Game later informed the Dominions Secretary, James Henry Thomas, on 29 March 1931 that he was not convinced that Lang would lose an election at this time.^[12]

In March and June 1931 Lang repeatedly requested the necessary 80 appointments to swamp the council and prevent obstruction to his legislation. Game again refused, offering 21 appointments, which were enough to pass some of the legislation but not the most controversial bills, including the bill to default on debts.^[12] Finally, in a compromise move with Lang, on 19 November 1931 Game assented to 25 appointments, reasoning that it would not be possible to refuse Lang's requests until the Privy Council case was resolved. His telegram to the Dominions Secretary the next day explained further: "I foresee if I refuse now I shall most probably be placed in position before long where...I should not be able to stop at twenty five but should have sooner or later to give sufficient appointments to carry rejected legislation. Such numbers might give Government a permanent majority to carry any and every extreme measure, and extreme factions would probably gain ascendancy owing to what they would represent as my obstinate partiality. Should I refuse appointments until appeal case is heard and should it result in abolition extremists would be in an even stronger position. After reviewing all arguments and considering possibilities I have reached conclusion that my proper and wiser course is to accept advice and have done so."^[13]

Ribbon ceremony to open the Sydney Harbour Bridge on 20 March 1932. Premier Lang cuts the ribbon while Game looks on.

During this Game questioned the result if Lang won the appeal to the Privy Council and the Legislative Council was abolished. Various correspondence between him and London confirms that had Lang succeeded, Game may have refused assent to the abolition bills, thereby making it the first time it had been withheld since 1708. This potential situation disappeared, however, with the judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on 31 May 1932. The judgment dismissed the appeal by the Government of New South Wales. The bills repealing Section 7A and abolishing the Legislative Council could not therefore be presented to the Governor for assent until they had been passed in a referendum.^[12] Faced with other problems, Lang's plans for abolition ultimately failed. His successor as Premier, Bertram Stevens, later passed major reforms to replace the appointed Legislative Council, by a Council elected by the whole parliament to terms equivalent to four Assembly terms. This was passed by referendum in 1933.

Harbour Bridge opening[link]

In March 1932, in anticipation of the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, when Lang decided that he would cut the ribbon and incurred the displeasure of the King, Game reassured the King that Lang had the right to cut the ribbon. Game and his family found much amusement in the controversy thrown up over the matter and the question of whether Game, as Governor, should have a 17-gun salute. The far-right New Guard were nevertheless enraged over Lang's decision, culminating in Francis de Groot's pre-ceremony cutting of the ribbon. The ribbon was hastily reattached and on 20 March 1932, Lang opened the bridge with Game looking on, and he later gave a speech commemorating the occasion.^[7]

Dismissal[link]

When the United Australia Party Government of Joseph Lyons came to power in January 1932, it passed the Financial Agreement Enforcement Act, thereby forcing the NSW government to adhere to its debt commitments and to cut government spending. Lang appealed the decision to the High Court. When the court ruled that the law was valid, Lang ordered Treasury officials to withdraw all the state's funds from government bank accounts so that the federal government could not gain access to the money. Game advised Lang that in his view this action was illegal, and that if Lang did not reverse it he would dismiss the government. Lang stood firm, and issued a leaflet in defiance of Game. Game then reluctantly decided to exercise his reserve powers and called Lang to Government House to dismiss him. However, Lang was not the first to hear of his dismissal. The pianist Isador Goodman, who had been befriended by Sir Philip and Lady Game, was at Government House for dinner that night. There were a number of interruptions, and Goodman asked if he perhaps ought to leave. Game replied, "No, that's not necessary. You see, I am about to dismiss the Premier."^[14]

Sir Philip and Lady Game are farewelled by Premier Stevens upon their departure on 15 January 1935.

On 13 May 1932 Game dismissed Lang's government and appointed the UAP leader, Bertram Stevens, as Premier. Stevens formed a coalition with Michael Bruxner's Country Party and immediately called an election, at which Lang's NSW Labor Party was heavily defeated. This was the first case of an Australian government with the confidence of the lower house of Parliament being dismissed by a vice-regal representative, the second case being when Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Gough Whitlam's government on 11 November 1975. Game himself felt his decision was the right one, despite his personal liking of Lang. He wrote to his mother-in-law on 2 July 1932: "Still with all his faults of ommission and commission I had and still have a personal liking for Lang and a great deal of sympathy for his ideals and I did not at all relish being forced to dismiss him. But I felt faced with the alternative of doing so or reducing the job of Governor all over the Empire to a farce."^[15] Lang himself, despite objecting to his dismissal conceded that he too liked Game, regarding him as fair and polite, and having had good relations with him.^[16]

End of term[link]

During his governorship Game was the patron of several organizations including the District and Bush Nursing Associations and the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales, and was Chief Scout of the NSW Boy Scouts Association. Lady Game was President of the District and Bush Nursing Associations and the Girl Guides Association. The rest of his term was fairly uneventful, and he returned to Britain following the expiration of his term on 15 January 1935. Before he left Sydney he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), on the recommendation of Premier Stevens, for his service as Governor.^[17][18] In honour of their service to the state, Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council named a major road in Lindfield as Lady Game Drive and a nearby park as Sir Phillip Game Reserve.^[19] In memory of Game's time as Governor, a portrait was commissioned by public subscription and painted by R.G. Eves. It was then displayed at the National Art Gallery of New South Wales before being presented to Government House.^[20]

Metropolitan Police Commissioner[link]

Commissioner Game (left) with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester at Euston Station on the eve of their departure for Australia in 1945.

Upon his return to Britain, Game served as Metropolitan Police Commissioner from 1935 until 1945. Not long after his appointment in November 1935, Game was responsible for the policing of the funeral of King George V and subsequently the abdication crisis of King Edward VIII and the 1937 coronation of King George VI.^[2] For his work in the 1937 coronation, Game was appointed by King George VI a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) on 11 May 1937.^[21] Serving as Commissioner during very tumultuous times, Game had to deal with Fascist and Communist demonstrations, an Irish Republican Army bombing campaign and, during the Second World War, the organization of the police role in air-raid precautions and relief. He dealt effectively with those problems and the consequent improvement in police morale was an important factor in the survival of London during the concentrated German air attack of 1940-41.^[22] In 1943, in an attempt to prevent burglaries, Game urged householders not to keep furs, adapting a verse from Chapter 9 of Ecclesiastes saying, "they are no doubt warmer, and look nicer than a tweed coat, but a live dog is better than a dead lion."^[22]

Towards the end of his time as Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Game worked to establish a boys' club. The Sir Philip Game Boys' Club, situated in Croydon, was opened in 1946. The Club was officially opened on 19 July 1947 by the then Home Secretary, James Chuter Ede, in the presence of Game. New premises were built and completed in 1964 and were officially opened on 8 May 1966 by the then Home Secretary, Sir Frank Soskice, in the presence of Lady Game, who unveiled a plaque in the memory of her husband.^[23] Game was the last senior armed forces officer to be appointed Metropolitan Police Commissioner as since his retirement all successive commissioners have been career police officers. Game was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) on 2 May 1945 and retired soon after on 1 June 1945.^[7][24]

He died at his home, Blackenhall, Sevenoaks, Kent, on 4 February 1961, survived by his wife, daughter and by his elder son, who had married Vera Blackburn, daughter of Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn. His second son had been killed in action at Taranto, Italy, in 1943.^[7]

Titles, styles and honours[link]

Viceregal styles of Sir Philip Game
Reference style	His Excellency
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Alternative style	Sir

[edit] Titles^[2]

• 30 March 1876 – 2 November 1895: Philip Game, Esq
• 2 November 1895 – 2 November 1898: 2nd Lieutenant Philip Game
• 2 November 1898 – 20 June 1901: Lieutenant Philip Game
• 20 June 1901 – 15 February 1912: Captain Philip Game
• 15 February 1912 – 23 June 1915: Major Philip Game
• 23 Jun 1915 – 18 July 1915: Major Philip Game DSO
• 18 July 1915 – 20 May 1917: Lieutenant Colonel Philip Game DSO
• 20 May 1917 – 16 October 1916: Colonel Philip Game DSO
• 16 October 1916 – 1 April 1918: Brevet Colonel (Temporary Brigadier-General) Philip Game DSO
• 1 April 1918 – 14 October 1918: Brevet Colonel (Temporary Brigadier-General) Philip Game DSO, RAF
• 14 October 1918 – 1 January 1919: Brevet Colonel (Temporary Brigadier-General) Philip Game CB, DSO, RAF
• 1 January 1919 – 31 March 1919: Colonel (Acting Major-General) Philip Game CB, DSO, RAF
• 31 March 1919 – 1 August 1919: Colonel (Acting Brigadier-General) Philip Game CB, DSO, RAF
• 1 August 1919 – 1 January 1922: Air Commodore Philip Game CB, DSO, RAF
• 1 January 1922 – 3 June 1924: Air Vice-Marshal Philip Game CB, DSO, RAF
• 3 June 1924 – 1 January 1929: Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game KCB, DSO, RAF
• 1 January 1929 – 29 May 1930: Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GBE, KCB, DSO
• 29 May 1930 – 15 January 1935: His Excellency Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GBE, KCB, DSO, Governor of New South Wales
• 15 January 1935 – 3 June 1935: Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GBE, KCB, DSO
• 3 June 1935 – 1 November 1935: Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GBE, KCB, KCMG, DSO
• 1 November 1935 – 11 May 1937: Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GBE, KCB, KCMG, DSO, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
• 11 May 1937 – 2 May 1945: Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GCVO, GBE, KCB, KCMG, DSO, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
• 2 May 1945 – 1 June 1945: Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GCB, GCVO, GBE, KCMG, DSO, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
• 1 June 1945 – 4 February 1961: Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game GCB, GCVO, GBE, KCMG, DSO

Honours[link]

Sir Philip Game in 1930.

	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)	1945[24]
	Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)	1924[5]
	Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)	1919
	Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)	1937[21]
	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)	1929[8]
	Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)	1935[17]
	Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)	1915
	Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem (KStJ)	1929[10]
	Queen's South Africa Medal
	1914–15 Star
	British War Medal	MID
	Victory Medal
	King George V Silver Jubilee Medal	1935
	King George VI Coronation Medal	1937
	Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal	1953
	Ufficiale of the Order of the Crown of Italy	1917[3]
	Officier of the Legion d'Honneur	1917[4]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Philip Game

v t e Governors of New South Wales Before Federation Phillip Hunter King Bligh Macquarie Brisbane Darling Bourke Gipps FitzRoy Denison Young Belmore Robinson Loftus Carrington Jersey Duff Hampden Beauchamp After Federation Rawson Chelmsford Strickland Davidson de Chair Game Hore-Ruthven Anderson Wakehurst Northcott Woodward Cutler Rowland Martin Sinclair Samuels Bashir

Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers in 2008
No. 17     San Diego Chargers
Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1981-12-08) December 8, 1981 (age 30)
Place of birth: Decatur, Alabama
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Weight: 228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
College: North Carolina State
NFL Draft: 2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4
Debuted in 2004 for the San Diego Chargers
Career history
San Diego Chargers (2004–present)
Career highlights and awards
4× Pro Bowl (2006, 2009, 2010, 2011) NFL Alumni Quarterback of the Year (2010) San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team 3× AFC Offensive Player of the Month (December - 2008 & 2009, October - 2010 Senior Bowl MVP (2004) ACC Athlete of the Year (2004) ACC Rookie of the Year (2000)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011
TD-INT 163-78 Yards 24,285 QB Rating 95.5 Stats at NFL.com

Philip Rivers (born December 8, 1981) is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers played college football at North Carolina State University. Rivers' career passer rating of 95.9 is third-best all-time among NFL quarterbacks with at least 1,500 passing attempts, behind Aaron Rodgers and Steve Young.^[1]

After starting Chargers quarterback Drew Brees went to the New Orleans Saints following the 2005 season, Rivers came off the bench to lead the Chargers to a 14-2 record in his first season as a starter. In 2007, he helped the Chargers win their first playoff game since 1994 after beating the Tennessee Titans in the wildcard round of the 2007 playoffs and eventually leading them to the AFC Championship game. He has a career total of 13 fourth quarter comebacks, his most recent being on September 11, 2011, when he led the Chargers to a 24-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings.^[2]

Early life[link]

Rivers was born in Decatur, Alabama, where his father Steve was the head coach of Decatur High. Philip went to Decatur then moved to Athens. As part of a fifth-grade project, he had to make a poster about his dreams and aspirations. On the poster, he pasted his face over that of a Minnesota Vikings player who had appeared on a cover of Sports Illustrated.^[3] He has worn the number 17 since ninth grade; it is in honor of his father, who wore the same number in high school. After his dad, Steve, got the head coaching job, Philip played high school football at Athens High School in nearby Athens, Alabama.

College career[link]

After high school, Rivers attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he played for coach Chuck Amato. During his collegiate career, Rivers shattered almost every NC State and Atlantic Coast Conference passing record. His career culminated with an NCAA record 51st consecutive college start.^[4] The Wolfpack went to four consecutive bowl games under the leadership of Rivers, winning three of them, including a New Year's Day victory over Notre Dame in the 2003 Gator Bowl.

Rivers was named ACC Athlete of the Year in 2004 and was also named the game MVP of four bowl games, two Tangerine Bowls, a Gator Bowl and the 2004 Senior Bowl. Rivers was even named the "Offensive MVP" for NC State in a losing cause to Pittsburgh in 2001's Tangerine Bowl. He was considered a Heisman candidate by some journalists,^[5] but he was not invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation. Rivers finished his career with 13,484 passing yards, 4th all-time among Division 1-A quarterbacks (he was 2nd at the end of his collegiate career). He also threw 95 touchdown passes, which ties him for eighth all-time with Kliff Kingsbury and Brady Quinn. Rivers' number was retired before his final home game at North Carolina State.

Professional career[link]

2004 NFL Draft[link]

Rivers was projected to be an early first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. But despite Rivers' record of success in college and remarkable accuracy (72% completion percentage for his senior season), questions about his lack of arm strength and his unorthodox side-arm throwing motion were concerns for some NFL GMs. The pre-draft consensus was that Rivers could be selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 11th pick. The Chargers coveted Eli Manning and wanted to select him with their first round pick, which was also the first overall pick of the draft. However, after Eli Manning indicated before the draft that he would not sign with the San Diego Chargers, the Chargers were forced to adjust their plans. Rivers was their first alternative to Manning because the Chargers head coach at the time, Marty Schottenheimer, had coached Rivers at the Senior Bowl and he liked what he saw from Rivers. The Chargers agreed to a trade on draft day with the New York Giants. Manning was selected by the San Diego Chargers then later in the draft traded for Rivers, selected with the fourth pick by the Giants. The Chargers also received draft picks from the Giants that were used to select future Pro Bowlers Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding.

Quarterback class of 2004[link]

Rivers was one of four quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft along with Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, and J.P. Losman. Rivers, Roethlisberger, and Manning have been voted to the Pro Bowl since becoming starters, none have produced a season with a losing record (although each has had an 8-8 season), but Roethlisberger and Manning both have won two Super Bowls. They have been compared favorably to the Quarterback class of 1983, which included Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway (1st pick), Jim Kelly (14th), and Dan Marino (27th).^[6]

San Diego Chargers[link]

2004[link]

In August 2004, Rivers signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract with the San Diego Chargers that included $14.5 million in signing bonuses. However, due to a protracted contract negotiation with the San Diego Chargers, Rivers only reported to the team during the last week of training camp. As a result, the Chargers gave incumbent quarterback Drew Brees the opportunity to retain his starting job at the beginning of the season. With almost no training camp time under his belt, Rivers was unable to wrestle the starting position from Drew Brees during the 2004 preseason. Rivers began the season as the Chargers' third QB option, behind Doug Flutie, but ahead of the #4 QB Cleo Lemon. Unfortunately for Rivers, Brees went on to have by far the best season of his career up to that point. By the end of the season, Drew Brees was named to the NFL Pro Bowl and won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. Rivers received very limited playing time in the 2004 season, playing in only two games. He only threw passes in the second half of the last game of the 2004 season (a win over Kansas City), by which time the Chargers had already clinched a home playoff spot and the AFC West division title.

2005[link]

Rivers was promoted to the #2 on the quarterback depth chart after the Chargers released Doug Flutie, who later signed with the New England Patriots.

Rivers was unable to beat out Drew Brees for the starting quarterback job in the Chargers' 2005 training camp and preseason. In the Chargers' final game of the 2005 season, at home in Qualcomm Stadium, Rivers entered the game after Brees dislocated his right shoulder late in the second quarter due to a hit from Denver Broncos safety John Lynch. Rivers completed 12 of 22 passing attempts for 115 yards with one interception and two fumbles. The Chargers lost to Denver, 20–7. However, Rivers led the Chargers on their only scoring drive that game, which culminated in a 4-yard TD run by RB LaDainian Tomlinson.

2006[link]

Philip Rivers in 2006.

After the 2005 season, Drew Brees was not re-signed (partly due to the injury suffered in the Denver game) by the Chargers, instead signing a large contract that included sizeable guaranteed money with the New Orleans Saints during the 2006 free agency period. Many doubted the Chargers' decision to change quarterbacks as they were a Super Bowl contender, believing that Rivers' inexperience would hinder them. Rivers was named the Chargers' starter going into training camp. Expectations were high for Rivers due to the large amount of talent on the San Diego Chargers' offense and the performance of his peers from the 2004 draft (Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger) as starters.

Football Outsiders projected that Rivers would become an NFL star before the 2006 season due to his spectacular completion percentage in college (72% as a senior). After just 5 NFL starts, Rivers was named the second best NFL quarterback under 25 years of age by Sports Illustrated^[7] and had numerous comparisons to Dan Marino for his quick release and pocket presence.^[8]

On September 11, 2006, Rivers made his NFL start against the Oakland Raiders. Rivers managed the game well despite only passing 11 times, but completed 8 passes, one for a touchdown, in a 27–0 rout of the Raiders. After his first game, Rivers led the NFL in QB rating with 133.9.^[9]

The fifth week of the season, the reigning Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers came to town, and Bill Cowher's defensive game plan revolved around stopping LaDainian Tomlinson. This game marked a turning point for Rivers, who aided by head coach Marty Schottenheimer's opening of the playbook, led the team in a come-from-behind victory throwing 24-of-37 for 242 yards and two TDs, winning 23–13.^[10]

On November 12, 2006, Rivers had the best game of his short career and led the San Diego Chargers to an improbable comeback against the Cincinnati Bengals. Down 28–7 at halftime, Rivers led the Chargers on six drives culminating in touchdowns. After driving in for the Chargers first touchdown after halftime, Nick Hardwick, Rivers' center, reminisced about Rivers, mimicking his southern drawl, "He's yelling 'Y'all don't think we're out of this' to the Bengals. When he said that, I said, 'Shoot, I guess we ain't out of this. Right on.'"^[11] Rivers threw for 337 yards and three touchdown passes, while LaDainian Tomlinson scored three of their four rushing touchdowns. San Diego outscored Cincinnati 42–13 in the second half winning the game 49–41, matching the biggest comeback in 23 years for the Chargers.^[12]

Then following week against what was considered at the time to be a strong Denver Broncos defense, the Chargers became the first team in history to win back-to-back games after trailing by 17 or more points and also the first team to win four straight when allowing at least 27 points in each game.^[13] Rivers led several 4th quarter comebacks in 2006, and posted the league's highest 4th quarter quarterback rating. His performance over the season led to a selection to the 2007 Pro Bowl. After a 14–2 season the Chargers were set to play the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Patriots won that game, and Schottenheimer lost his job. The Patriots went on to the AFC Championship where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts 38-34.

2007[link]

Norv Turner took over as the head coach of the Chargers in 2007. After a 1–3 start, the Chargers found their groove, finishing 11–5 and winning the AFC West for the second straight year. The Chargers also won their first two playoff games since the 1994 season, beating the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts before falling to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game 21–12. In the 2007 AFC Championship Game, Rivers' was lauded by his teammates and the press for playing the entire game with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which later required surgery and was ranked among the NFL Top 10 Gutsiest Performances.^[14][15] Chris Harry of the Orlando Sentinel said "I don't think anyone will ever accuse Philip Rivers of being soft."^[14] Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune said, "To go out there and put his knee, and ultimately his career, on the line. It has to go down as one of the gutsiest performances."^[14]

2008[link]

In 2008, Rivers led the NFL in multiple categories including touchdown passes (34), passer rating (105.5), and yards per pass attempt (8.4), and adjusted yards per attempt (8.8).^[16][17] On December 28, 2008, Rivers set the Chargers team record for touchdown passes in a season with 34, a record previously held by Dan Fouts, who had 33 in 1981.^[18] After a 4–8 start, Rivers threw 11 touchdown passes and only 1 interception to win the final four games of the season, winning the AFC West division against the Denver Broncos with the score 52–21 leading them to the playoff against the Colts. Despite having good stats in 2008 Rivers was only able to lead his team to an 8-8 record and they were able to win the division over Denver by a tie-breaker. On January 3, 2009, the San Diego Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts 23–17 to advance to the AFC Divisional Playoff. Rivers led the Chargers down the field down 3 points with under 2 minutes left. He set up Nate Kaeding for a game-tying field goal that would lead to overtime, where the Chargers would go on to win 23–17, thanks to a Darren Sproles touchdown. In the divisional round versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rivers played well throwing for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns but was sacked 4 times and threw an interception. Despite his efforts, the team fell short and lost to the Steelers 35–24. They possessed the ball for only 17 seconds during the third quarter and had only 15 yards rushing.

2009[link]

On August 24, Rivers signed a 6-year,a $92 million dollar contract extension with the Chargers, with approximately $38 million guaranteed.^[19] Rivers was voted into his second career Pro Bowl on December 29. He ended the season with a passer rating of 104.4, the third highest in the entire NFL, after passing for 4,254 yards, 28 TD's with only 9 interceptions. For the second consecutive year, he led the NFL in yards per attempt (8.8) and adjusted yards per attempt (9.1).^[16][17] He led the Chargers to the second seed in the AFC with a 13-3 record, tied for second best in the NFL. In the divisional round of the playoffs, Rivers was 27-40 for 298 yards while rushing and throwing for a touchdown and was intercepted twice. The Chargers lost 17-14 to the New York Jets, who moved on to play the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship, which they lost 30-17.

2010[link]

Rivers led the league in passing yards, throwing for a career high 4,710 yards - 10 yards more than second-place finisher, Peyton Manning. The Chargers started off the year slowly again at 3–5 and finished a disappointing 9-7 and their four-year reign as AFC West champions ended while they missed the playoffs.^[20][21] Rivers' top wide receiver, Vincent Jackson, did not make a catch until the Chargers' 13th game of this season after a suspension due to a contract dispute with the team.^[21] In week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks Rivers threw for 455 yards and 2 TD's in a losing effort 20-27. These 455 yards broke the San Diego Chargers single-game record for most passing yardage, previously held by Dan Fouts, who had 444 in 1982.^[22] Rivers went over 400 yards and threw 2 touchdowns, but lost to the Oakland Raiders in week 5.^[23] In Week 8, Rivers threw for 305 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception in a 33-25 win against the Tennessee Titans, extending his active player-leading streak to 21 games with a TD thrown and giving him the record for most passing yards (2,649) ever after 8 games, passing Dan Fouts' previous record (2,580).^[24] Rivers threw for 4 touchdowns, two to backup tight end Randy McMichael and the other two to rookie receiver Seyi Ajirotutu in a comeback 29-23 victory over the Houston Texans. The Chargers' top receivers Gates (torn plantar fascia), Vincent Jackson (suspended), Malcom Floyd (hamstring), and Legedu Naanee (hamstring) did not play in the game.^[16][25] Rivers lost his first ever game in December, a 13-28 loss at home against the Oakland Raiders.^[26] Rivers was invited to the 2011 Pro Bowl, his fourth invite overall, and started in place of an injured Tom Brady.^[27][28] It was the first time he played in a Pro Bowl, twice missing previous games due to injury and once for the birth of his child in the 2010 Pro Bowl.^[28] Rivers was named the quarterback in the 2010 NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards over Brady, the unanimous selection for The Associated Press 2010 Most Valuable Player Award.^[29]

2011[link]

Entering the 2011 season, Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune called Rivers a "better quarterback" than Fouts, a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback. Canepa cited Rivers "[completing] passes to an astounding 17 different receivers" in 2010, amid the injuries to Chargers receivers, and his then 55–25 record as a starter compared to 86–84–1 for Fouts. He also noted, "Fouts made more mistakes than Rivers." Rivers had completed 63.7 percent of his 2,455 passes with 58 interceptions and a 97.2 passer rating, while Fouts was successful on 58.8 percent of his 5,604 attempts with 242 interceptions and an 80.2 rating. Rivers had never thrown more than two interceptions in a game, including seven playoff games.^[30]

Rivers and the Chargers started out the season with a 24-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Rivers had 335 passing yards and two touchdowns thrown to running back Mike Tolbert. He also had two interceptions.^[31] Rivers and the Chargers lost 35-21 in Foxboro to the New England Patriots in Week 2. Rivers threw for 378 passing yards and had two touchdown passes to Vincent Jackson but also threw two interceptions again.^[32] Rivers threw two more interceptions as the Chargers held off the winless Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, 20-17.^[33] In Week 4, the Chargers beat the winless Miami Dolphins 26-16, and Rivers threw a 55-yard touchdown to Vincent Jackson.^[34] In Week 5, Rivers threw for 250 yards and a touchdown pass to Malcom Floyd. He added a rushing touchdown as well. Despite two turnovers by him, the Chargers held off the pesky Denver Broncos 29-24.^[35] Rivers struggled in Week 7 after the bye. Rex Ryan's New York Jets limited Rivers to 179 passing yards and 2 interceptions. He did throw a touchdown to Antonio Gates, his first of the year. .^[36] The Chargers lost a heartbreaker, 23-20 to the Chiefs in overtime on Halloween. Rivers put up 369 yards, but had 2 interceptions and a crushing fumble.^[37] Rivers' poor performance during the 2011 season has led to media speculation that he may be suffering from an undisclosed injury.^[38] His former teammate, LaDainian Tomlinson, speculated that Rivers might be distracted by the burden of being the Chargers' star player.^[39] Rivers had a whopping 385 yards passing and added 4 touchdowns, but threw 3 crushing interceptions against the defending champion Green Bay Packers.^[40] Rivers threw for 274 passing yards and an interception and a fumble in a 24-17 Week 10 against the Oakland Raiders. He did however, throw 2 touchdowns to rookie Vincent Brown.^[41] Rivers threw for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 31-20 loss to the Chicago Bears. He added 2 more interceptions thrown. The touchdown passes went to Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson.^[42] The Chargers lost a heartbreaker, 16-13 in overtime to Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. Rivers threw for 188 yards and a touchdown to Antonio Gates.^[43] The Chargers finally won a game in Week 13, dominating the Jacksonville Jaguars 38-14. Rivers finish with 294 passing yards and 3 touchdowns.^[44] Rivers and the Chargers dominated the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, winning 37-10. Philip threw for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns, 2 to Antonio Gates, and Patrick Crayton.^[45] Rivers and the Chargers dominated the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15. Philip had 270 yards and a touchdown to Malcom Floyd in a 34-14 stomping.^[46] Rivers and the Chargers struggled in Week 16. On Christmas Eve, the Chargers fell 38-10 in Detroit to the Lions. Rivers had 299 passing yards and a touchdown, but 2 interceptions.^[47] Rivers concluded the season by throwing for 310 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, to Floyd, Jackson, and to Gates. The Chargers knocked out the Oakland Raiders 38-26.^[48]

Notable accomplishments[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (November 2010)

Former NFL records[link]

• NFL Record for most passing yards through first 8 games of a season - 2,649 yards (2010)^{[24][note 1]}

Chargers franchise records[link]

• Most passing touchdowns in a single season: 34 (2008)
• Most regular season wins in a single season: 14 (2006)
• Most pass completions in a single season: 366 (2011)

Awards and honors[link]

• 4× Pro Bowl (2006, 2009, 2010, 2011)
• 2008 Pro Bowl Alternate (Declined because of injury)
• 2010 NFL Alumni Players of the Year^[29]
• 3× AFC Offensive Player of the Month (December - 2008 & 2009, October - 2010)

Personal life[link]

Philip Rivers married his junior high school sweetheart, Tiffany, in 2001. They have four daughters and two sons,^[50] and reside in Santaluz, California. On January 31, 2010, Rivers' youngest daughter Sarah Catherine was born. He had been selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team the same year but did not make it to the game in South Florida due to her birth.^[28] In an interview with NFL Network on the June 10, 2011, Rivers stated the family was expecting their sixth child. On October 11, 2011, Rivers and his family welcomed their new son Peter into the world.

Rivers is an active Catholic^[50] and does a great deal of work in speaking with youth about spirituality. He states that, "I feel fortunate that I have the physical and mental tools to play the game .... In turn I would like to use the popularity I have and have been given for the glory of God, to share with young people about how to be a better person - how to do things the right way." Rivers encourages youth to look to spirituality to understand that sexual intimacy should be reserved for marriage.^[51]

Rivers is a good friend of Chicago White Sox' pitcher Jake Peavy, who is also from Alabama and played for the San Diego Padres from 2002 to 2009.

Rivers' younger brother, Stephen, committed to play college football Louisiana State University (LSU) after attending Austin High School and Athens High School.^[52][53]

See also[link]

• List of NFL quarterbacks who have passed for 400 or more yards in a game
• Most consecutive starts by a quarterback (NFL)
• List of North Carolina State University people
• List of Division I FBS passing yardage leaders
• List of Division I FBS passing touchdown leaders

Notes[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers website)
• ESPN Profile
• Philip Rivers at Pro-Football-Reference.com
• Philip Rivers Youth Football Camp
• Philip Rivers 5K Celebrity Walk & Fun Run