Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers, and different uniforms
Often we in the sports world associate players with their numbers or uniforms. From high school to the pinnacle of a player’s career, their number or uniform is synonymous with their legacy.
Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and others ended their careers on different teams, but the fact remains that they will always be remembered in red and gold, green and yellow, and blue and white. Drew Brees’ career started in San Diego, but he will be enshrined in Canton for what he has accomplished in back and gold. If he isn’t, Saints fans will riot.
With that said, NFL free agency hit and we saw two legends change teams.
Phillip Rivers landed in Indianapolis after spending 16 seasons in San Diego [also Los Angeles after the franchise relocated], shedding the yellow, white, and those beautiful powder blues for blue and white. On a one-year deal, Rivers will look to fill the gap that Andrew Luck left after his sudden retirement before the 2019 season.
Rivers might not end his career as a Charger, but he will always be remembered as a Charger. His fire and competitiveness gave them a swagger that had he not have, many would not remember the Chargers existed. Sure, there was LaDainian Tomlinson’s great seasons, but Rivers has been the mainstay. After he hangs up his cleats, expect him back in Alabama - maybe his hometown of Decatur - to coach high school kids, but don’t expect him to be remembered as a Colt.
On to the big one.
Tom Brady. The GOAT. The best quarterback to ever line up behind center. Don’t “@” me, because I will let the rings and accolades speak for themselves.
After two decades in New England, we will see Brady in a new uniform. We could see him with a new number depending on what happens as wide receiver Chris Godwin wears the 12 jersey.
I had hoped Brady would finish his career in New England, or for a compelling story-line, head to L.A. and take over Rivers’ team to see if he could push the Chargers further than the aforementioned, but he ended up in Tampa Bay.
Brady will have plenty of weapons to see if he can rebound from last season’s underwhelming end. No matter what happens, even if he takes the NFC South, wins the NFC, and ultimately ends up in the Super Bowl, nothing he can do in Florida can take away from his legacy in New England.
Both Brady and Rivers’ uniforms changed, but their legacies are enshrined in their original colors.
What do local sports editors do without sports?
As you can imagine, sports news has slowed down for us at The Impact. Besides the NFL, there has not been much to talk about.
That begs the question: what will Kevan Lindsey do?
Well, I have tomorrow [Tuesday] off. At that time, I will be doing some “social distancing” and taking my daughter fishing.
Over the weekend, I told my wife that my daughter and I would find a fishing spot and get away from the news for a while. Since then. Every pond, lake, or a puddle of water my six-year-old sees she asks, “Daddy, are we going to fish there?”
Despite not having local sports around, I’ve been able to find the blessings out of it all. For the first time in months, I was able to spend every night at home with my family. Sunday, we spent the entire day together and I’m thankful for that.
I realize not everyone gets the opportunity, so tomorrow I’m going to make the most of that by having a daddy-daughter day, and landing some catfish [hopefully].
Stay safe, everyone, and find the blessings in the chaos.
