Philip Rivers throws a pass at his football camp.

^{Photo by Dan McLellan}

“I prioritize my life in three things: my faith, my family and football,” says quarterback Philip Rivers. “I encourage you to . . . sit down and think, what is most important in your life? Lay it out and live by it. That is when you will be most successful.”

Those are words fromthe undisputed leader of the San Diego Chargers. With Rivers’ leadership the Chargers remain the team to beat in the AFC West.

Going into training camp, the Chargers have of a slew of unanswered questions. Will Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill or Shawne Merriman ever sign a contract? Will Kevin Ellison’s arrest and subsequent release prove to be a continued distraction as the DEA investigates? Will Buster Davis, the Chargers 2007 first round draft picks, finally prove himself? Will the current draft class live up to expectations, especially Ryan Mathews who is replacing Chargers legend LaDainian Tomlinson?

All those questions leads to one more: Are the Chargers still an elite football team? The answer to that question is a resounding “Yes”! Why? The Chargers come in with a clear leader inRivers.

Last season, Rivers earned the role of team captainwith his play on the field. However, LaDainian Tomlinson seemed to still hold that title. Regardless of Tomlinson’s production on the field, game after game he was ushered into post-game press conference to speak about the overall performance of the Chargers.

These days, a great leader in professional sports must be able to connect both with his fellow players and with the fans in the community. Tomlinson is a genuine master of both. Despite lower production on the field, he never lost the respect of his fellow teammates and the fans remained committed to him because of who he is as a person. Tomlinson remained the leader of the Chargers even though it appeared that role should have transferred to Rivers.

Leaving Tomlinson in the leadership role was not necessarily a good thing. Historically, nearly every Super Bowl has been won by a team that had a clear, strong leader at the quarterback position. The Chargers would have been better off last year if Rivers had been the clear leader of the team.

Now, with Tomlinson’s departure, Rivers is unmistakably identified as the leader of the Chargers. Fortunately for the Chargers, Rivers is more than ready to assume the responsibilities that go along with the role. Arguably, it is the reason why A.J. Smith gave Rivers a multi-year contract extension last and has not done the same for Jackson, McNeill or Merriman.

Rivers is keenly aware that leadership goes far beyond his play on the field. Shortly after Tomlinson’s departure, Rivers launched his Rivers of Hope Foundation to support foster children in San Diego. Like Tomlinson, Rivers is taking an active role in his charitable work and it is clear that he it genuinely passionate about his cause. This is demonstrated by his involvement in community events.

This month, the inaugural Philip Rivers Football Camp was held as the first major benefit for the Foundation. At the camp, Rivers took on the role of head coach.

“The coach is in me, it is in my blood,” says Philip Rivers. “I’m prepping for my future . . . Hopefully, it is a long way away. But I have the desire to do this is in some form or fashion some day.”

After a spirited opening address to the campers, Rivers interacted with the children by giving hands-on instruction while bringing to the field a level of fun normally seen on a playground. “You want them to have a great time,” says Rivers. “I have a blast. I have a great time seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.”

It is that same sprit and energy that makes Rivers a natural leader. “As a quarterback, you need to raise the level of play of everyone around you and get the most out of them,” says Rivers. "I try to do that here [with the campers] and I try to do that every day as a Charger.”