Philip Rivers: Hero to Some, Villain to Others

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

With a 92.9 percent quarterback rating and cumulative 10,697 passing yards in his career, what is there to hate about Philip Rivers?

Well, a lot apparently.

By just Googling "why people hate Philip Rivers" I received over 38,500 results in only .30 second (speedy are'nt we Google) about how much other people dislike Rivers.

One angry fan replied on a Yahoo forum, "How can you like someone who talks a bunch of crap and is that cocky but had done NOTHING in his career so far!! NOTHING!!"

On GetSportsInfo.com, writer Mark Fightmaster stated Mr. Rivers is just Ryan Leaf with a better supporting cast, that, "Maybe it is just because I think he is a smug prick, but I don't like Philip Rivers at all and feel that he is mere seconds away from being Ryan Leaf.  He is lucky enough to have a good supporting cast, and he should thank his lucky stars for them."

And of course on another forum:

"He's such a whiny c*nt."

So why all the hate for Rivers?

It is because he lambaste fans and players alike? Is it because he's cocky about his position in the NFL-pulling an 8-8 team to the playoffs to upset the Indianapolis Colts twice?

Or is it just fan anger at a guy who is doing something none of us will ever be able to do: Mock Peyton Manning/Jay Cutler/JaMarcus Russell from across the field, call their fans idiots and steal their women?

OK, I'm not sure about the last one but I wouldn't put it past my favorite QB in the AFC.

Why is he my favorite quarterback in the AFC right now? Mostly because I hate Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger, but also because he's the kind of guy that will speak his mind on and off the field.

He wants people to know how he feels about his opponents, the style of play they deliver and most importantly what he plans to do to them this coming Sunday.

While Rivers might open his mouth, some would say that he feels it is a key part of the game—taunting and heckling the other team in hopes of taking them off their guard and bring the SuperChargers to another victory—and he does so with gusto.

Obviously many people take offense to what Rivers says when he opens his mouth, but the guy has the stats and the team to back him up.

While he might not be the most spectacular of quarterbacks to ever don a Chargers uniform (Doug Flutie, Johnny Unitas, Drew Brees, not Ryan Leaf) he definitely grown leaps and bounds since his first appearances in the NFL in 2006.

Yes, he should keep his mouth closed from time to time but sometimes its alright to run your mouth—especially when you got guys like Darren Sproles, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Shawne Merriman to back you up.

He's a young quarterback and he's a bit obnoxious but hey—that’s what being the leader is all about.

"I love it here. But I want to play. I would rather play and be a starter somewhere else if I can't do it here," said Rivers.

Okay, maybe he should shut up now.

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