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Rivers honors Hardwick with No. 61

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Nick Hardwick didn’t notice the emblem Philip Rivers had stickered to his helmet Sunday until around halftime.

Rivers is No. 17. Instead of “one” and “seven,” it read “six and one.”

Sixty-one. Hardwick’s number.

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Rivers paid tribute to his center, who was placed Wednesday on season-ending injured reserve. Hardwick is 33. He’s had a fine career. That it may have ended due to the latest neck issue, well, Rivers just felt the need to honor one of his best friends during a 30-21 win over the Seahawks,

Rivers played all game with 61 on his helmet.

Emotion was in both men’s voice when discussing it.

“That hit me pretty good,” Hardwick said. “It was powerful. It affected me.”

“It just kind of popped up in my mind, replacing that 17 with a 61,” Rivers said. “I thought about him quite a bit out there today, especially pre-game (during) the national anthem, thinking he may not be out there again. He may not put on that helmet again with that 61 sticker. ...

“It was a tough week. He was one of the most excited guys in the locker room post-game. So, I think capping off the win, winning like we did after the Monday night loss, losing your center of 10 years, this was a nice ending to a tough week.”

Rivers and Hardwick were part of the 2004 draft class. They’ve started 118 games together, including nine in the playoffs, since Rivers became starting quarterback in 2006.

Hardwick dealt with recurring stingers last season. He suffered another one in the opener last Monday, and it became clear the problem would persist.

Sunday was his first missed start since 2009.

Hardwick watched on the sideline. He chose not mention the emblem to Rivers after being made aware of it, not seeing the point.

Said Hardwick, with a sense of appreciation: “Nothing needs to be said.”

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

• After the game, the NFL acknowledged a gaffe. Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin scored on a 51-yard run in the first quarter, but his foot stepped out of bounds. McCoy couldn’t challenge the scoring play; a review must be instigated from the replay official or the staff in New York. League spokesman Michael Signora said the touchdown was “incorrectly confirmed, and as a result, the game was not stopped. Had the game been stopped for a replay review, the touchdown would have been reversed because Harvin stepped out of bounds at the San Diego 21-yard line.”

• Outside linebacker Jarrett Johnson was a late scratch. His wife was in labor and gave birth shortly before the game, coach Mike McCoy said.

• Cornerback Brandon Flowers (groin) was inactive. First-round cornerback Jason Verrett made his first career start, totaling five solo tackles.

San Diego Chargers 30, Seattle Seahawks, 21

9/14/2014 at Qualcomm Stadium

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