INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Phillip Rivers returned to the NFL at age 44 to play for the Indianapolis Colts after a five-year hiatus, bringing along the St. Michael Catholic School football team from Fairhope, Alabama, to support him.
The Colts organization arranged tickets for Rivers’ former players, who expressed excitement at the opportunity to watch him play live in Indianapolis rather than through screens at watch parties.
Heck Smeraglia, a player from St. Michael Catholic High School, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “It was fun watching at the watch parties and watching him on TV, but it’s not like it’s live. So, I’m so excited. It’s going to be such a great atmosphere. I can’t wait.”
The players from St. Michael are eager to cheer for Rivers during the game. Brayden Smith, another player from the team, said, “We just like cheer for everything we can. So, if he completes a pass, we are going to be jumping up and down, and go crazy.”
Beyond football, Rivers imparts valuable life lessons about hard work and courage to his players. Smeraglia described Rivers as a supportive figure.
“He is like a dad figure, but he also loves us like his own kids,” Smeraglia said. “He is always there for us and he is a good coach. Just pushes us to be the best we can.”
Senior Aiden Bodine remarked that Rivers serves as a significant source of inspiration for young players, emphasizing that Rivers’ message is that age or others’ expectations should not limit aspirations.
“The message that he is really showing us is that no matter the age or expectations people have for you, you can do whatever you want as long as you put your mind to it, and don’t worry about what others think about you,” Bodine said.
Reflecting on his role as a coach, Rivers expressed hope that his return can inspire his players, saying, “Maybe it will inspire or teach to not run or be scared of what may or may not happen. Certainly, I think of my sons and those ball players I am in charge of at the school, and they will think, ‘Well crap, coach wasn’t scared.’”
The Colts are set to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 1 p.m. Rivers’ former players look forward to supporting him from the stands.