Head Coach Anthony Lynn announced before the season that the Bolts would have different team captains each week, which he'd announce in the locker room 90 minutes before kickoff.
However, last week, the Chargers voted for team captains for the remainder of the year, electing Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Matt Slauson, Brandon Mebane and Melvin Ingram. In addition, Lynn will still name one honorary captain before each game.
There was a good reason behind Lynn's change of heart.
"I didn't want to do it earlier because sometimes you can elect captains just off a player's reputation," he explained. "Sometimes you base it off things they've done in the past. I wanted the players to vote for someone because of what they'll do moving forward. I think it's hard to pick captains after an undefeated offseason without any adversity. You won't know who your leaders are on the team. I think around Week 3 and Week 4, guys know who is going to show up every day. When you have some adversity, you see how players handle that. So I think it was a perfect time."
Philip Rivers has won countless awards over his career, but there's nothing like being named captain of the Bolts. Of all the honors, this is one that hits closest to home.
"I've always thought that, among many things, and I certainly respect media members' opinions and that certainly makes you feel good that anybody thinks you're any good at anything, but being voted a captain to me is really harder than all of those," he said. "Because it's your teammates, and they think you're a captain. For me, it's been eleven years in a row, and I certainly appreciate it. It's something that's meaningful, and I take a great (deal) of pride in being one of those guys. Hopefully I lead well. It was something Coach Lynn kind of decided to change up, and the guys voted last week."
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