The Quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers has been carrying a Latin phrase with him for a while now. It’s embroidered on his hats, he’s been saying it in press conferences, and he even made T-shirts for the whole team. Now, in an interview with ESPN, he discusses what it means to him.
“Nunc Coepi” is Latin for “Now I begin,” a sentiment Rivers says is akin to the cheer “Let’s Go!” that is so often put up on the stadium big screen during a pivotal third down. “You always hear ‘let’s go!’ It’s another way that triggers ‘begin again,'” Rivers said.
The 36-year-old QB, a devout Catholic husband and father to seven children, told ESPN that he was taught the phrase. “A priest friend of ours gave me that phrase years ago … it’s that never-ending begin,” he said.
Rivers believes that the Latin is particularly suited to the life of a quarterback, who must “begin again” after each possession of the ball.
“As a quarterback, it’s play-to-play. You’re always starting again, whether it’s good or bad … If you ask any of my children at home, ‘What’s dad’s favorite phrase?’ They would be right on it.”
In 2014, Rivers gave the commencement speech at the Catholic University of America. There, from the steps of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, he explained the phrase’s meaning to the graduating class as well.
The Chargers are sitting pretty at 7-2 on the season. While this is no guarantee of a playoff run, as the Kansas City Chiefs own the AFC West division at 9-1, Rivers has a very good chance of clinching the wild card spot. If he does, we’re sure he’ll be ready to “begin again” in the post season.
Interested in watching his 2014 commencement speech? See below.
