Catholic NFL Quarterback Philip Rivers Honors Saint Sebastian in Retirement Statement: How beautiful! National Football League's (NFL) San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers announced his retirement after a 17-season career. The devout Catholic husband and father of nine children thanked God and honored martyr Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes. Saint Sebastian's feast day is January 20.
Nunc Coepi
Rivers also concluded his statement with the Latin phrase, Nunc Coepi, which means Now I begin. "A priest friend of ours gave me that phrase years ago... it’s that never-ending begin," he says of the phrase. Here’s the statement:
Every year, January 20, is a special and emotional day. It is Saint Sebastian’s feast day, the day I played in the AFC (American Football Conference) championship with a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament in the knee), and now that day after 17 seasons, I’m announcing my retirement from the National Football League.
Thank you God for allowing me to live out my childhood dream of playing quarterback in the NFL. I am grateful to the Chargers for 16 seasons, and the Colts for the final season. Thank you to all my coaches that helped me grow as a player and person. Thanks to the support staff.
I appreciate the opposing defenses making it challenging physically and mentally every week... I also enjoyed the banter. I appreciate the referees for putting up with all my fussing. Thanks to the fans in San Diego and around the nation that both cheered and booed. Special thanks to my teammates. Without a doubt my favorite part of the game, being a teammate. Thank you for being mine.
Lastly, thank you to my wife and best friend Tiffany, and our children Halle, Caroline, Grace, Gunner, Sarah, Peter, Rebecca, Clare, and Anna. Could not have done it without your unwavering support. As my playing career comes to an end, the next chapter begins: NUNC COEPI.
Nashville Dominican Sisters
In 2019, the quarterback also greeted several of the Nashville Dominican Sisters at one of his games. Here’s the video. Thank you, Philip Rivers, for your beautiful public witness!
+JMJ+
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Image: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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