Colts TE Jack Doyle admitted that he used to not be able to stand Philip Rivers.
We wouldn’t fault Colts fans that found it difficult to wrap their minds around the Philip Rivers signing. After all, he’s 38 years old and coming off arguably the worst season of his career. The eight-time Pro Bowler was woefully inaccurate all year on his way to throwing 20 interceptions, which trailed only Baker Mayfield and Jameis Winston for the most in the NFL.
Believe it or not, at one point in time it would’ve been impossible for Indianapolis tight end Jack Doyle to stomach the deal.
In a shocking reveal, Doyle, during a recent video interview with reporters, admitted that he used to hate his new quarterback.
As a teenager, Jack Doyle couldn’t stand Philip Rivers.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) July 16, 2020
That’s changed for the Indy native:https://t.co/kXgRKD0SO9
“I remember those tough losses to the Chargers,” said Doyle, who grew up in Indianapolis and was raised a Colts fan. “Man, I couldn’t stand Philip Rivers as a kid. I got in the NFL and realized that the reason I couldn’t stand him is because he was good at what he did. And you gain a respect for him when you’re watching him on film.”
We’ll go out on a limb and say that Doyle was referencing the Colts’ gutting playoff losses in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, which fittingly came against the Rivers-led San Diego Chargers. During a four-year stretch from 2007-2010, Indy was 1-4 versus the Bolts.
Like any petty and passionate sports fan, Doyle despised the squad that always seemed to best his favorite team, and that’s simply the way it should be. Over time, however, the 30-year-old TE’s disdain for Rivers turned to respect, and now he’s motivated to catch passes from him.
Jack Doyle on Philip Rivers: We'll do what we can do to build a connection https://t.co/JL2rs8LjOM
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 6, 2020
When you think about it, Doyle now being teammates with Rivers after once viewing him as a perennial enemy is hilarious, and really accentuates the interminable irony narrative in sports. Putting the former’s past feelings aside, Colts fans will be hoping that the two players form a connection that resembles something close to what the latter showcased with Antonio Gates for so many years with the Chargers.