The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1343401
48 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY TIM PEELER H ere's the thing about keeping up with former NC State players in the NFL: for the last 15 years, you knew to keep an eye on what Philip Rivers was up to — because it was always something. Even in those first two years, when he was Drew Brees' backup with the San Di- ego Chargers, there was always a chance that the young apprentice would get into a game to complete his first career pass, throw his first career touchdown or achieve some other first. It's the eye you get to keep on players like defensive end Bradley Chubb, running back Nyheim Hines and the four other ex-Pack quarterbacks remaining in the league that used to play in Carter-Finley Stadium. Keeping an eye on former Wolfpack play- ers in the pros will certainly be less fun now, if only because there will be no more chances to have Rivers mic'd up on the sidelines or any more of those funny NFL quote videos that helped him become a star. Now that he's retired, we can put him in his proper place among the Wolfpack's greatest completed NFL playing careers. For the record, putting definitive rankings on individual players is difficult, so take everything below with the intention that be- ing on this list that follows means they had spectacular professional careers, and there were plenty of other deserving candidates who did not make the cut. There are no active players on the list, though surely quarterback Russell Wilson, Chubb and offensive lineman Joe Thuney, among others, will have strong cases for adding themselves to it when they eventu- ally retire. Until then, of course, they will all give NC State fans something to look out for on Sunday afternoons and nights, and the oc- casional Monday (or Thursday) night. 1. Quarterback Philip Rivers San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts (2004-20) Rivers has all the stats to back up his posi- tion at the top of the list. Taken with the No. 4 pick of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and immedi- ately traded to the San Diego Chargers, Riv- ers' lengthy career is practically unfathomable by a quarterback. In his final season, Rivers surpassed Roman Gabriel and Jim Ritcher for the longest NFL tenure by a former NC State player, and they follow not far behind him on this list. He's one of only five quarterbacks in league history to have more than 60,000 passing yards (63,440) and 400 touchdown passes PACK PAST NC State's All-Time Best NFL Players Wide receiver Torry Holt racked up 13,382 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns during his 12-year career. PHOTO COURTESY ST. LOUIS RAMS