by Kyrien Keeton
On April 9, Campus Ministry hosted former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers for a variety of engagements—the primary one as a guest speaker for this year’s final CUA on Tap session. This event was his second time speaking at a University event; the first was his address at the 125th Annual Commencement Ceremony in 2014.
Catholic University student Grace Rivers introduced her father to the crowd, saying, “You might be wondering, what is an NFL quarterback doing at a campus ministry event? Well, as I’ve often heard him say: ‘Football is what I do, not who I am.’”
The oldest of three children and raised in northern Alabama, Philip Rivers faithfully attended Mass every Sunday with his family. During his time at North Carolina State University (Raleigh), Rivers married his wife, and the couple went on to have ten children.
Grace said, “While his playing career may be over, his mission is not. He is a husband, a father, a coach, and most importantly, a devoted Catholic who believes that to love his family is to love the Church.”
Welcomed to the CUA on Tap stage with copious applause, Rivers delivered a wholesome motivational talk, filled with football allegories and anecdotes about his life as a Catholic on the road, playing for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. In an appropriately parental tone from a man with much practice being a father, he related to the audience, saying, “I’ve been your age, but you haven’t been mine,” and imparted his wisdom about navigating the challenges of growing up as Catholics in secular environments.
Rivers continuously returned to his mantra, nunc coepi; a Latin phrase meaning “now begin,” or “begin again.” The phrase encompasses the idea that every movement, every step one takes, is a new beginning.
The three values of faith, family, and football guided Rivers through college and into his professional career. For him, each value is intertwined with the others. He explained how, as Catholics, we identify ourselves as children of God and have a mission to serve, which means living our everyday lives for the glory of God.
“I hated to lose, but when I came home after a road game, that was when I knew everything was going to be all right,” Rivers said. He “could have thrown four interceptions,” but seeing his children and wife again was always a special moment, win or lose.
Throughout the talk, Rivers continuously returned to his mantra, nunc coepi; a Latin phrase meaning “now begin,” or “begin again.” The phrase encompasses the idea that every movement, every step one takes, is a new beginning. He guided the audience through his own life, describing various blunders and successes in his professional career, but reminded everyone that it was never too late to begin again, both professionally and spiritually.
“[The sacrament of] Confession is the ultimate nunc coepi,” Rivers says.
The visit finished with a Q&A session. Student questions ranged from religious advice to football plays. Throughout this exchange, Rivers emphasized how traditional Catholic values—family life, humility, hard work, and most of all, teamwork—are possible for everyone to pursue. This concept of teamwork applies both on and off the football field, he noted. At the very end of his visit, Campus Ministry gifted Rivers a “Catholic University Dad” sweater, as well as a personalized Catholic University football jersey.
During his time on campus, Rivers toured the Athletics facilities, met with leadership, and spoke and connected with members of the Cardinal football team.
“We’re teammates in the faith,” he told the CUA on Tap crowd and the football players. “Now that’s pretty dang cool.”
