If you ever have the privilege of speaking to San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers you'll discover that his priorities (“My faith, my family, and football”) are not three separate entities. They are interwoven passions that have guided Rivers into the man and the leader, both on and off of the field, that he is today.

Some mistakenly label Rivers as an arrogant hot head.

Philip and Tiffany Rivers, with foster kids.

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“Unfortunately, that perception was created by a couple of incidents that were caught on camera,” he says. “I am not out there using profanity or being really demeaning. It really is just a competitive spirit and having fun.”

Rivers’ locker is at the center of the locker room. It would be a mistake to take that as a sign that Rivers believes the football world revolves around him. To the contrary, it's an indication of how remarkably open and approachable he is with teammates, whether they are fellow stars like Antonio Gates or undrafted free agents struggling to make the cut.

Rivers credits his father, Steve, who was a high school football coach, for setting an example of the importance of treating everyone equally.

“I know how my dad treated the third-string tackle who was never even going to get into a high school game,” says Rivers. “So, then you think about the guys here whose dream has been to make it to the NFL. Regardless if you’re the quarterback or the starting guard or a guy that is going to be on our practice squad, they all play a role.”

Rivers’ parents also nurtured him with a deep Catholic faith. During football season one would think it would be difficult for him to keep both his spiritual and professional obligations that often both land on a Sunday. “A lot of times I get up at 7:30 a.m. [to go to mass] and then go to the games,” says Rivers. “To me it just makes the game all that much more special.”

Rivers married his childhood sweetheart. He and Tiffany have five children and are doing their best to pass their faith down to them.

“We go to mass every Sunday as a family,” says Rivers. “We try to always go together, but when you have the little ones sometimes you have to trade off. All seven of us try to go together and sit right there in the front row to keep the attention of the little ones.”

Five children may be a handful, but Rivers and his wife wouldn’t change a thing. “I think we always wanted a big family,” he says. “I grew up one of three and Tiffany grew up one of three, also. My mom was one of nine. So when my mom’s side of the family gets together there are cousins and aunts and uncles. It’s awesome! It’s a great time. I think growing up around that made Tiffany and I both want to have lots of kids. . . . We definitely have a fun house.”

As much of a blessing Rivers feels that his children are to him, he and Tiffany also realize that there are a lot of children who have no parents and are in need of homes.

“I think you can often take it for granted that every kid is getting tucked in at night and receiving all those things that we are able to provide,” says Rivers. “But then you do some research and look out there a bit and you discover that is not the case. There are so many kids that don’t get the things that they deserve. I think that we both just feel that is what we were called to do, to help those children.”

That's why Philip and Tiffany created the Rivers of Hope Foundation, which aids San Diego foster children by meeting temporary needs and assisting them in finding them homes. “We are not trying to reinvent the wheel,” says Rivers. “There are a lot of existing organizations and programs that are already furthering this cause. We just want to help spread the awareness and help give these kids hope.

“In a lot of cases it is awareness. It seems like everybody that I run into knows somebody or is directly affected by the foster system by being adopted, by knowing a foster kid, or has a brother that was adopted. It is amazing to see how the awareness helps. We already have some success stories.”

The Heart Gallery is one organization that the Rivers of Hope Foundation is helping to fully fund in San Diego. “The Heart Gallery is working,” says Rivers. “These kids get their photograph taken and have a biography written about them. People come to adopt them. There are tons of ways to help and adoption is not for everybody, but these kids deserve forever homes.”

You can help Philip and Tiffany find forever homes for more of San Diego’s foster children by attending the 2010 Philip Rivers Celebrity 5K Walk & Fun Run at Liberty Station (September 4; 8:30 a.m.).

Rivers will be present for the activities. “I’m excited to be part of this fun, family-oriented event,” he says.