In 2004 three quarterbacks were selected among the first 11 picks in the NFL draft and its beginning to look like all three will be enshrined in Canton someday. Eli, Big Ben and Philip Rivers have all exceeded 45,000 passing yards in their already illustrious careers, and only Eli (297) has yet to throw his 300th touchdown pass. Not since the 1983 with Elway, Marino and Kelly has a draft produced so much QB talent. While the Rivers may not have two rings on his finger like Eli and Ben, Rivers has the highest QB rating (95.0) and completion percentage (64.6%) among the three, and is the only one with a TD:INT ratio (308:152) better than 2:1. More importantly, only the 6' 5" Rivers plays with the lovable passion of a kid in the schoolyard. Postseason success aside, Rivers has led his San Diego Chargers to many memorable victories.
Offered here is Rivers' game-worn Chargers road jersey from a pair of away battles in November versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11/11) and the Denver Broncos (11/18) during the 2012 NFL season in which he threw for 3,606 yards and 26 touchdowns. In the two games he sported this jersey, he threw for a combined 595 yards and 5 TDs. The shirt exhibits outstanding evidence of game use with dirt stains, grass stains and paint transfers throughout from on-field contact, allowing it to be easily photo-matched to both games (Getty images 156047505 at TB and 156665424 at DEN).
Inside the rear collar is the Nike manufacturer's tag [size] 44, with a strip tag attached reading "2012" and "+2 Length." All elements of the jersey appear to be unaltered and problem-free. Rivers' No. 17 appears on the front, back and on both shoulders in navy blue, powder blue and yellow tackle twill, the same configuration as the Chargers lightning bolts on both sleeves. "RIVERS" appears across the back in navy blue tackle twill on a white nameplate. The sleeves and waist areas have an elastic spandex hems and both sleeves feature the embroidered Reebok logo patch, also in navy blue. At the V-neck is the official “NFL Equipment” logo shield patch directly above the embroidered Chargers block-letters logo patch.
The consignor is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable San Diego Chargers collectors
in the hobby. He has included an 8" by 10" photo from the 11/18 Denver game showing a clear match to the dirt/grass staining on the front numbers. Awesome gamer from a San Diego sports legend.
Includes COA from the NFL and PSA/DNA (N90525) confirming game use to 11/11/12 game.