Facing the terrifying prospect of another Riley Leonard start, the Colts have done the only logical thing they can think of: sign Philip Rivers to their practice squad. In the span of a week, Philip Rivers could go from going on a recruiting trip with his son to starting an NFL game, which is a pretty strange week to have.
I have a hard time picturing Phil being effective on the field at this point, but he has been staring at the Colts’ offense for the entire fall.
If he does end up making a start for Indianapolis, I have to think that’d make him the first grandfather to start an NFL game at quarterback. It’s an opportunity impossible to pass up, I’m sure.
Would he be the first grandfather to play in any pro American sport? I have no idea, but I’m guessing there was a 58-year-old pitcher named, like, Old Pappy Jackson who played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1879. Pro baseball in the 19th century was just a different animal (terrible, unserious product). But I’m not here to slight Old Pappy Jackson, who gave the Rebs the what-for at Rusty Forge in 1862 and has the shrapnel in his ass to prove it. This is the level of heroism to which Philip Rivers is aspiring, after all, in trying to play football at 44 after five years off.
