Philip Rivers has always been known as a great teammate, and took it an extra step on Sunday when he paid tribute to injured Nick Hardwick.
Rivers paid tribute to his center, who was placed Wednesday on season-ending injured reserve. Instead of the No. 17 decal, the quarterback placed a No. 61 in its place.
“That hit me pretty good,” Hardwick said. “It was powerful. It affected me.”
The 33-year-old Hardwick’s career may be over after this and Rivers showed amazing class with the gesture.
“It just kind of popped up in my mind, replacing that 17 with a 61,” said Rivers, soon to choke up. “I thought about him quite a bit out there today, especially pre-game (during) the national anthem, thinking he may not be out there again. He may not put on that helmet again with that 61 sticker. …
Rivers and Hardwick were part of the 2004 draft class. They’ve started 118 games together, including nine in the playoffs, since Rivers became starting quarterback in 2006.