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SEATTLE — A man who lives by three simple, yet powerful and inspirational words, believes San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers can not only lead the team to a Super Bowl but win it. That man is Courtney Van Buren.
A third-round pick back in 2003 by the Chargers, he never was able to have the career he would have liked. Plagued by reoccurring knee injuries Van Buren’s career lasted only five years but during his tenure in San Diego he was apart of one of the most unique teams in recent memory.
One year after Van Buren was drafted the Chargers and New York Giants made one of the most impactful trades in recent history. The Chargers held the No.1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL with two talented quarterbacks, Eli Manning out of Ole Miss and Philip Rivers of North Carolina State, available and likely top five picks.
Manning, however, stated publicly that he would refuse to sign with the Chargers should they make him the No.1 overall pick. With that in mind the Chargers selected Manning and traded him to the New York Giants for Rivers, along with two draft picks that turned into linebacker Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding.
Since then Manning has won two Super Bowl’s while Rivers has only gone as far as the AFC Title game in 2007 vs the New England Patriots. While Rivers has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks since 2008 throwing for 4,000 yards or more the past four seasons, the Super Bowl has eluded him.
Van Buren says Rivers is still the right quarterback for San Diego and believes “most definitely” that he can not only lead the Chargers to a Super Bowl but bring it back to Americas finest city.
Playing with both Drew Brees and Rivers from 2003-2006 before being released Van Buren realizes the differences between the two, but reiterated both are elite quarterbacks. “Both Drew and Philip are competitors par excellence and both have what it takes to control games from the QB position,” Van Buren said.
Van Buren added “The primary differences are just that Phil was a bit younger and seemed like he was genuine happy to be a pro football quarterback. He had fun, but was still focused. Drew was more business like in his approach. Hyperfocus is too light a word!”
In 2005 Brees suffered a torn labrum on his throwing shoulder which could have potentially ended his career. Through all the contractual demands and whether it would be Rivers team or Brees signing an offer worth potentially $50 million he remained true to himself.
“In light of the situations [Brees] being benched, his injury, [and the] drafting of Philip Rivers, I believe he handled it like the professional he is and as we can see, rose from the flames like phoenix” Van Buren said.
Knowing all too well about career ending injuries Van Buren, at 6-foot-6 350-pounds suffered a torn ACL during San Diego’s final preseason game in 2004. That started a reoccurring trend of knee injuries which ultimately forced him to retire.
“Some knees are good and stay good, some knees are good and turn bad. Mine were the latter,” he said. “The knees just didn’t hold up and once I got hurt the first time, it pretty much set in motion the demise of my NFL. Those are just the cards I was dealt, so I can’t be at all bitter.”
The injuries however haven’t stopped Van Buren from still have a deep love and passion for the game he grew up playing in St. Louis. “It was definitely frustrating to not continue to play when your mind says you are able,” he said “[but] I’ve been able to get past the disappointment of not being able to have a long storied career like so many of my teammates and friends in the NFL.”
“Every Sunday, I live vicariously through them and cheer them on as if I am right along side them.”
When asked why the Chargers feel apart after their exceptional 14-2 season in 2006 Van Buren said while the talent was there no veterans took the lead and the inexperience didn’t help. “Inexperience and youth primarily. We really didn’t that nucleus of Super Bowl guys and perennial Playoff veterans in the locker room, and those intangibles can never be overlooked.”
“We had great talent, but talent is like steel, it becomes stronger through fire and the tempering process. I guess we hadn’t been in the flames enough” Van Buren said.
A man who didn’t have his NFL dreams play out quite like he’d hoped he lives by three words: Peace, light and love. “Being at peace with yourself, enlightening the world you live in, and loving the world you live in!”
You’re dreams might not always work out the way you’d like, but making the most out of every opportunity is key, and those three words are at the core for Courtney Van Buren.
You can follow Lars on Twitter: http://twitter.com/larshanson
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