Philip Rivers is back.
The 44-year-old former retiree is quarterbacking the Colts on Sunday and, frankly, looking pretty good doing it. Rivers hasn’t been on an NFL field in five seasons, but he’s looked surprisingly competent on Sunday against the Seahawks.
At halftime, Rivers had completed 10-of-16 passes for 82 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also had a ridiculous celebration when he had that touchdown pass.
The Indianapolis led Seattle 6-3 with 1:33 left in the second quarter while facing third-and-4 from the Seahawks’ 8-yard line. Rivers dropped back to pass and hit Josh Downs on a crossing route, and he walked right into the end zone.
PHILIP RIVERS TO JOSH DOWNS TUDDY.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 14, 2025
📺 CBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/6fF358D6ih
It was Rivers’s first touchdown pass since January 9, 2021, during a 27-24 playoff loss to the Bills. That’s a cool 1,800 days between touchdown tosses.
In classic Philip Rivers fashion, the celebration didn’t disappoint. It is below for your viewing pleasure.
dadgummit he's back. 😤#ForTheCelly | @Budlight pic.twitter.com/uOaYHjLSxG
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 14, 2025
That is the 422nd touchdown of his career.
Rivers wasn’t the only one pumped up by the score. The high school team he coaches in Fairhope, Ala., was watching and went absolutely nuts.
St. Michael football team watch party erupted when Coach Rivers threw his first TD back in the league. pic.twitter.com/VHXZrvIv4a
— Noah Moss (@NoahMoss2026) December 14, 2025
The eight-time Pro Bowler just finished his fifth season as the head coach at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, and the Cardinals went 13-1 this season, while going 6-0 in their league. In his time as the school’s head coach, Rivers’s teams have gone 44-16 and 25-9 in league games. Over the past two seasons, the Cardinals have combined to go 25-3.
Philip Rivers career numbers
Entering Sunday, Rivers was one of the most statistically prolific quarterbacks in NFL history.
During his 17-year career, Rivers had completed 64.9% of his passes for 63,440 yards, with 421 touchdowns, 209 interceptions, and a passer rating of 95.2.
He ranks seventh in passing yards, sixth in passing touchdowns, ninth in completions, and 12th in passing yards per game (260.0).
Some of those numbers are likely to change over the next few weeks as the veteran plays in what is his 18th NFL season.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Philip Rivers Had the Funniest Celebration After Throwing His First TD in Five Years.
