Philip Rivers emotional after nearly leading Colts to win in return: ‘There is doubt, and it’s real’

SEATTLE AP Philip Rivers fought back tears as he considered what message it would send to his sons or the young men he has coached that he nearly led the Indianapolis Colts to win at age There is doubt and it s real Rivers declared choking up briefly The guaranteed safe bet is to go home or to not go for it and the other one is Shoot let s see what happens I hope in that sense that can be a positive to particular young boys or young people Rivers ended a nearly five-year retirement to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and played efficient football for the desperate Colts who turned to the future Hall of Famer after Daniel Jones was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon He threw a touchdown pass in the first half played mostly mistake-free and moved the Colts into position for Blake Grupe s -yard field goal with seconds left But Jason Myers responded with a -yarder that gave the Seahawks an - triumph It was a remarkable day for a grandfather who s spent the past sparse years coaching high school football in his native Alabama Rivers took a minimal hard hits from the Seahawks stout defense and he even enjoyed them I never minded that part of it Rivers announced My wife consistently tells me I m crazy because there s been times in the last three or four years I declared I wish I could just throw one and get hit hard This wasn t a novelty act as it may have seemed when the Colts signed the Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist to their practice squad less than a week ago Coach Shane Steichen s Colts who began the season - but are trying to stop a second-half collapse knew what they were getting out of the veteran Rivers finished of for yards with a touchdown and an interception with the pick coming on his final pass as he tried to force the ball down the field in the closing seconds I was just thankful grateful that I was out there Rivers noted And it was a blast it was a blast but obviously the emotions now are disappointment This isn t about me We have a association scrapping like crazy to try and stay alive and get into the postseason The Colts - have dropped four straight and five of six and they are outside the AFC playoff picture with three games left They trail both Jacksonville and Houston in the AFC South Steichen called a conservative competition relying on running the ball and controlling the clock Rivers threw mostly short passes to the outside checkdowns and screens He went out there and gave us a chance to win it Steichen revealed Rivers took two sacks and he exhibited his age on the first one He stumbled while evading pressure from Boye Mafe got up then fell again Rivers pumped his right fist and let out a roar after throwing an -yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs with remaining in the first half to put the Colts up - It was Rivers first touchdown pass since he threw a -yarder to Jack Doyle in the Colts - loss to Buffalo in a wild-card playoff challenge on Jan He also became the fifth performer in NFL history to throw a TD pass at age or older joining Tom Brady George Blanda Steve DeBerg and Vinny Testaverde It s been days since I ve thrown a touchdown or interception for that matter So we have both those boxes checked Rivers stated Rivers was chosen last month as one of semifinalists for the Hall of Fame s class of but will now have his eligibility delayed A participant must be out of the league for at least five years before his candidacy can be considered The earliest Rivers can be a candidate is for the class of He ranks among the top in NFL history in wins attempts completions yards passing touchdown passes and -yard games Since his retirement he s been coaching at St Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope Alabama where the squad held a watch party on Sunday Rivers players were on his mind as he returned to the NFL Maybe it will inspire or teach not to run or be scared of what may or may not happen Rivers stated