The Chargers have signed tight end Austin Roberts, according to a team announcement. Roberts will compete for a spot on the roster following the loss of starting tight end Hunter Henry.

Roberts, an undrafted free agent out of UCLA, is likely not viewed as a one-for-one replacement for the injured Henry. However, it is interesting that the team’s first tight end move was not a reunion with accomplished veteran Antonio Gates.

“Well, shoot, I’d always be excited if he walked back in the door obviously,” quarterback Philip Rivers said this week when asked about the idea of Gates returning to the Chargers. “That’s something that [GM] Tom [Telesco] and [owner] John [Spanos]and coach [Anthony Lynn] and those guys I’m sure will discuss and see about bringing anybody in for that matter, but certainly [Gates’ return] would get my vote.”

Rivers isn’t the only one who thinks signing Gates would be a logical move. In a recent poll, more than three-quarters of PFR readers said the Bolts should reunite with Gates.

Roberts is a 6-2, 230-pound tight end known for his pass-catching prowess. He appeared in 10 games with three starts a year ago for the Bruins, catching 19 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, he played in 24 career games over three seasons at UCLA, totaling 35 receptions for 500 yards and three TDs.berts, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound tight end, had 19 receptions for 220 yards and two scores last year for the Bruins. He appeared in 24 total games across three seasons at UCLA.

To make room on the roster for Roberts, the Bolts released long snapper Anthony Kukwa.

Roberts is a 6-2, 230-pound tight end known for his pass-catching prowess. He appeared in 10 games with three starts a year ago for the Bruins, catching 19 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, he played in 24 career games over three seasons at UCLA, totaling 35 receptions for 500 yards and three TDs.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry has already been lost for the season before it ever began, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports he suffered an ACL tear during practice on Tuesday. 

This is particularly brutal news, as the 2018 season was being hailed as Henry’s coming-out party. The Chargers chose not to bring back future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates this season with the express intent of making Henry their go-to tight end.

In two years since being selected in the second-round out of Arkansas in 2015, Henry has caught 81 passes for 1,057 yards and 12 touchdowns.

One wonders if this injury will prompt the return of Gates to the Chargers. He’s yet to sign with a team and yet to say he’s retiring.

So who do the Chargers have to replace Henry?

As the team begins to look towards the future, it will require finding his replacement since the depth at the position lacks significantly and they don’t have a true No. 1 TE. General manager Tom Telesco stated how the injury occurred and their plans in regards to addressing the glaring hole at the position in his press conference.

“He finished the route, jogged back, and just felt like something grabbed at him. It’s not typical to see ACL injuries like that. We’ll look at all the options that are out there,” Telesco said.

TE Virgil Green is next up on the depth chart. Green has only has 71 catches for 807 yards since joining the NFL in 2011. He’s best utilized as a run blocker rather than a pass-catcher, so he wouldn’t be an ideal No. 1 tight end for them.

Many have to wonder whether Los Angeles will consider bringing back Antonio Gates after being released from the team in April. Even though Gates will turn 38 in June, he has eight Pro Bowl appearances and three first-team All-Pro selections on his career resume, all with the Bolts. He is familiar with the system and has shown that he may have one more year left in the tank. There aren’t a lot of options on the market, but some other free agent tight ends that the team could consider include TE Julius Thomas, Coby Fleener, Brent Celek and Jeff Cumberland and Zach Miller.

Could Gates actually return for another season? Why not? He is clearly available. What do you think?  

Every Friday, this website: LosAngelesChargersInfo.com will feature “Chargers Spotlight”.
We will put the spotlight on a LA Chargers player just for you. Please register and the articles will be sent straight to your inbox! (Your welcome.)

Today we take a closer look at undrafted rookie CB- Brandon Facyson.

The Los Angeles Chargers have no less than 10 players that can play cornerback and perhaps as many as 12. Four of those guys were brought in as un-drafted free agents. The Chargers still possess one of the league’s best secondaries and the team seems committed to making sure it has more than enough…One of the four cornerbacks brought in as an un-drafted free agent was Brandon Facyson, a long, 6-2 defensive back who many analysts felt would be drafted. However he slipped through.
Facyson played in 11 games as a freshman for the Hokies, showing the team was confident in his abilities right away. In total, he played in 51 games while at the school. He showed toughness and durability despite having a few leg injuries now and then. He picked off 5 QB’s in the duration.

His five interceptions during his freshman season showed plenty of flash and he looked well on his way to a terrific college career. A series of leg injuries slowed him down and likely hurt his draft stock in the long run, but he still finished his college career with 39 pass deflections, the most in Virginia Tech school history. The Chargers drafted 3 QBs and brought one in as an un-drafted free agent- Brandon Facyson, a long, 6-2 defensive back who many analysts felt would be drafted. He has the length that teams at the professional level desire and he posted a 4.53 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. He is definitely fast definately fast! Those are the kinds of traits that will help a guy make an NFL roster, and Facyson will have a chance to turn some heads this summer.

Perhaps the Chargers the team to beat in the AFC West?
Chargers’ offense ranks among the best in the NFL. The Chargers have signed all but one of their 2018 draft picks
He has the length that teams at the professional level desire and he posted a 4.53 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Those are the kinds of traits that will help a guy make an NFL roster, and Facyson will have a chance to turn some heads this summer. Perhaps Brandon Facyson is a true diamond in the rough? We will soon see…

Free for all fans, the 2018 Chargers Fan Guide is designed to compliment your game day experience! The guide is packed with information regarding schedule, parking, transportation options, tailgating information, and much more!

COSTA MESA, Calif. – Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said he would have a tough decision to make regarding his kicking position by Saturday.

Well, Lynn stayed true to his word, as the Chargers signed Travis Coons from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced Saturday. To make room for Coons, the Chargers placed kicker Nick Novak on injured reserve with a back issue. 

A product of the University of Washington, Coons last played in the NFL for the team he will face on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns.

Coons spent his first NFL season with the Browns in 2015. He made 28 of 32 field goals (87.5 percent) with a long of 47 yards and 22 of 24 extra points (92 percent). Coons set an NFL record by making 18 straight field goals to start his professional career. Coons also had 27 touchbacks on 70 kickoffs.

The Browns released Coons, 25, at the end of training camp in ’16 after he lost the kicking job to Patrick Murray. Coons went to camp with the Los Angeles Rams this year, but was released in September as the Rams stayed with steady veteran Greg Zuerlein.

Coons grew up 45 minutes northeast of Costa Mesa in Rancho Cucamonga and attended Alta Loma High School, the same high school of former Chargers safety Eric Weddle. Coons said he had been training there before the Chargers brought him in this week for a tryout.

“This is my first time actually meeting Nick,” Coons said. “He actually helped me out a little bit on certain things. He’s a good dude, helped me out. If I see something, I’ll tell him. If he sees something, he tells me. It’s all good.”

Novak suffered a back injury in warm-ups before the Chargers’ Thanksgiving Day win over the Dallas Cowboys. He missed a 35-yard field goal and an extra point during the game, and ended up giving way to punter Drew Kaser.

Lynn said that Novak kicked well on Thursday, but still showed signs of soreness. Lynn had concerns about having Novak active on game day and going through the same situation as last week if the veteran kicker was not fully healthy.

Novak made 9 of 13 field goals for the Chargers in seven games this season, including a long of 50 yards.

He replaced Younghoe Koo in Week 5. The undrafted rookie out of Georgia Southern made 3 of 6 field goals, including missing a 44-yard field goal that would have won the game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. The Chargers have had a rough year in the kicking game, but perhaps Coons can deliver.

Can you believe it? The Los Angeles Chargers are just one game out of first place. The Chargers have very few injuries and seem to be getting stronger each week. Rivers has played basically error free and the Defense has it’s motor revved up pretty high! If the Chargers were a sports car, they would be doing 125 MPH in the fast lane and not even in overdrive yet. All of a sudden, they clearly look like the best team in the AFC West. With the Denver Broncos basically imploding and the Kansas City Chiefs looking like a train wreck, all the Chargers have to worry about is the Oakland Raiders. If the Chargers can win out, they will win the division and make the playoffs.

The Chargers defense has been really getting after the quarterback with very solid play from Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Head coach Anthony Lynn knows his team is much better than their record as they should have won their first two games (missed kicks). Suddenly the Chargers are the hottest team in the AFC West. At one point the Chargers were 0-4 and the Chiefs were 5-0, but the Chiefs look like they are pressing and playing poorly with conservative play calling. The Chargers clearly have the best quarterback in the division as Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has been playing poorly in cold weather and Denver does not even have a quarterback worth mentioning. Which brings us back to the Raiders, If Derrick Carr can stay healthy, the Raiders may make some noise, but Rivers is clearly more experienced at the QB position overall. Don’t forget Keenan Allen! The Chargers speedy receiver is basically Odell Beckham without all the drama. He sure is fun to watch. Fasten your seat belts Chargers fans: The Chargers sports car of a team is getting ready to shifts the gears for a fast ride to the playoffs!

The Jags were attempting a 35 yard field goal in overtime. Chargers coach Anthony Lynn iced Lambo. Then refs called a delay of game on the Chargers, which made it a 30-yard attempt. That made all the difference, because the Chargers partially blocked Lambo’s kick but it just made it through for the win. The Chargers had cut Lambo in the pre season and he made them pay today.

The Chargers could have put the game on ice earlier  in the fourth quarter with a pick six but the interception was dropped. It was a hard fought game with both defenses playing their hearts out. The Jags abandoned the run the entire second half as the Chargers were shutting down the running game early on. Another tough loss for the Chargers. Another one possession loss. It was another game the Chargers could have, should have won.

Dumb mistake number one: The Chargers had a 17-14 lead, and the defense just picked off Blake Bortles. But instead of advancing the the ball up the field after the interception, the defender just pointed his finger and stepped out of bounds like they had already won or something. Not to mention, giving up key field position in the process.

Dumb mistake number two: All they had to do was keep the clock running. On first down, Eckler got the carry but did not secure the ball with two hands and fumbled it away on a hard hit. The Jaguars recovered and ran it in for a score — which was overturned. But the Jags eventually tied it up with a field goal to send the game into overtime.

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers finally grabbed a win, while the New York Giants just about lost everything.

Philip Rivers threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Melvin Gordon with 2:58 to play as the Chargers rallied for a 27-22 victory Sunday in an ugly game between teams that each went 0-4 in the first month of the season. For New York, it was a fifth straight defeat, and dynamic wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. departed with a broken left ankle.

The worst of all was the injury to Beckham on the series before the Chargers’ winning touchdown. He jumped to catch a high Eli Manning pass and had Los Angeles cornerback Casey Hayward pin his ankle making a tackle. Players immediately signaled the sideline and Beckham was eventually carted off in obvious pain with a hand covering his face.

The touchdown pass was Rivers’ third of the game and came three plays after Kyle Emanuel had a sack, forced fumble and recovery against Manning at the Giants 11-yard line. It also came four plays after Beckham became the fourth Giants receiver knocked out of the game.

“We found a way,” said Chargers coach Anthony Lynn after his first win. “We’ve been looking for a way to win close games and we found a way. Now we’re going to enjoy this one, and tomorrow we’ll work on what that lesson really was.”

Carson, CA- The Chargers came up short again (and wide right) and fall to 0-2 on the season. Their first home game in Los Angeles was close, but Miami held on to win 19-7. The Chargers now face the loaded Kansas City Chiefs and will try to salvage their season by beating the Chiefs. The Chargers do not want to fall to 0-3, so look for them to be more than ready for the Chiefs. There were a lot of Miami fans in Carson and their should be plenty of Chiefs fans this week as well. For some reason, the Los Angeles Chargers are not bringing in the Charger fans liked they hoped would happen. If the Chargers fall to 0-3, it will be that much harder for the franchise to win the “Fight for LA”…The final San Diego version of this franchise lost eight games by seven points or fewer last year, and the 2015 team lost nine games by eight points or fewer, blowing four fourth-quarter leads. Look for the Thoma-hawk Chop this week in Carson.

Carson, CA – The Chargers have the highest average ticket price in the league at $192, and preseason football is generally an awful product, but the crowds at StubHub Center the last two weeks cast more doubt over whether Los Angeles will support a second NFL franchise. The Chargers drew more than 45,000 fans to both of their preseason home games last season, their last in San Diego.

The Chargers hosted the Saints last Sunday and the announced attendance at the NFL’s smallest venue, which is also home to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, was 21,197. That’s only 143 more people than the crowd for last week’s exhibition opener against the Seattle Seahawks. A Chargers spokesman told the Los Angeles Times that those numbers reflected the actual number of fans in the stadium, not tickets sold. The team announced in March that it had sold out of all available season tickets for the 2017 season. Perhaps pre season games are not worth the hassle to a sophisticated Chargers fan, but in their last year in San Diego, the Chargers averaged 45,000 attendance for the pre season. Something is just not right. Why are they staying home? The regular season should be packed with fans- right?

The Los Angeles Chargers managed 158 total yards, allowed eight sacks and committed two turnovers in a 13-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Carson, Calif. Even by preseason standards, it was an atrocious display of football. Fortunately, there weren’t many people there to see it.

“That couldn’t have gotten any uglier in my opinion,” Chargers Coach Anthony Lynn said after Los Angeles fell to 0-2 in exhibition play, with both losses coming at the 27,000-seat StubHub Center, the Chargers’ home for the next three years while the stadium the franchise will share with the Los Angeles Rams is built in nearby Inglewood.

Carson, Calif. – With rookie Alvin Kamara leading the offense, and newcomer Manti Te’o keying the defense, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 13-7 Sunday night before 21,197 at the StubHub Center in the second game of preseason. The Chargers offensive backups looked outmatched and flat out tired as they got pushed around all night.

“That couldn’t have gotten any uglier in my opinion,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said.

The Chargers’ offense struggled to move the ball on the ground, they produced no points and they started the game by promptly losing nine yards — and all of that was still better than what happened the first time the defense took the field.

With the Chargers’ starters on the field for New Orleans’ first play, Saints backup quarterback Chase Daniel handed the ball to their third-string running back, rookie Alvin Kamara, who sprinted through the right side of the defense mostly untouched for a 50-yard touchdown.

Nick Dzubnar, who’s competing to replace injured starting middle linebacker Denzel Perryman, couldn’t shake a block on the play and cover up what became a massive hole.

Compact, cozy StubHub Center could be just the ticket for a unique fan experience and a Chargers rebirth
“I take complete responsibility for the first play because that run hit my gap,” Dzubnar said. “So I took that first play pretty hard. I’m pretty upset about it. All you can do now is watch film and get better from it. I was pretty upset with it.”

Following the score, the loudspeaker at StubHub Center blasted a song in which the singer fittingly growls the words “Wake up.” And after the long run, the Chargers defense wiped the crust out of its eyes, limiting the Saints to only a 53-yard field goal before New Orleans’ reserves scratched out three more points in the fourth.

“I thought our defense played well other than the first play of the game,” Lynn said.

Defensive end Melvin Ingram, whom the Chargers gave close to $66 million to with more than $40 million guaranteed, looked right at home in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s 4-3 defensive scheme.

“I’m doing the same thing, really,” Ingram said. “I don’t know what you want to call it, but I do the same thing — and that’s rush the quarterback.”

He and safety Tre Boston teamed up for a sack with Ingram easily shoving Saints rookie tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who is 314 pounds, out of his way to get into the backfield.

Later in the first half, Ingram so badly beat Ramczyk with a spin move that the left tackle had no choice to but to commit a holding penalty. And, before Ingram’s day ended, he got into the backfield for a third time, recording a solo sack before being penalized for an illegal tackle.

Lack of offense and an injured offensive line stand out in the Chargers second preseason game, but so does some strong play from both a rookie and a veteran on defense.
The Chargers’ defensive line, one of the team’s only totally healthy position groups, got help for the team’s secondary, which was filled with backups and rookies.

Four of the team’s top cornerbacks — Casey Hayward (hamstring), Jason Verrett (knee), Craig Mager (soft tissue injury) and Trovon Reed (hip) — all were unavailable due to injuries, opening the door for players like rookie cornerback Desmond King to get extended playing time.

King had a sack, a pass breakup and a tackle for a loss.

“He was making plays all over the place,” linebacker Korey Toomer said.

After two good practices against the Saints earlier this week, Lynn said Rivers didn’t need to play Sunday, so he didn’t. Rivers and the rest of the starters are expected to play the first half in the next game.

But Lynn didn’t think being without Rivers was a good enough excuse for how the offense played.

“We were flat for some reason,” Lynn said, particularly upset with the team’s 66 yards rushing.

The offensive line, playing without starting tackles Joe Barksdale and Russell Okung, didn’t give Kellen Clemens, Rivers’ backup, a lot of time, and when Clemens did have opportunities, he and the offense struggled to string together positive plays.

Third-string QB Cardale Jones, whom the team acquired earlier in training camp, didn’t have much more luck, and the Chargers’ best drive ended when receiver Jamaal Jones fumbled the ball on the team’s only trip into the red zone. Their only points came on reserve safety Dexter McCoil’s 99-yard interception return.

Jones had a chance to lead the Chargers on a game-winning drive in the final two minutes, but back-to-back sacks led to an interception, ending any comeback hopes.

Now lets take a look at some fun facts about the New Orleans Saints,

The victory ended a 10-game preseason losing streak for the Saints.

Kamara, one of the Saints’ third-round draft picks, raced through the left side for a 50-yard touchdown run on New Orleans’ opening snap. The Saints added a 53-yard Wil Lutz field goal on their second possession and a 26-yarder late in the game. That was it for the Saints offense and it turned out to be plenty as the defense turned in an impressive effort, stifling the Chargers offense.

Te’o, a linebacker in his first season with the Saints after playing with the Chargers for the past four seasons, had a sack, eight tackles and a fumble recovery. The Saints finished with eight sacks and constantly had the Chargers quarterbacks (Kellen Clemens, Cardale Jones) on the run. On the Chargers’ final possession the Saints sacked Jones on back-to-back plays and then ended the drive with a Adam Bighill interception.

The game ended a week of activities with the Chargers, including three joint practices. Neither team’s star quarterbacks (Drew Brees, Philip Rivers) played and the Saints also held out star running backs Mark Ingramand Adrian Peterson along with star defensive end Cam Jordan. Chase Daniel started at quarterback for thew Saints and played the entire first half. Ryan Nassib played the second half. He gave up a 99-yard pick-six interception to Dexter McCoil in the fourth quarter.

The game marked the debut of the Saints’ two 2017 first-round draft picks, cornerback Marshon Lattimore and tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Both players started and saw action for most of the first half.

Safety Chris Banjo had a strong first half on special teams with three tackles.

The Saints will fly to New Orleans on Monday and resume training camp with a closed practice Wednesday. Thursday’s practice with the Houston Texans is open to the public. The Saints will play host to the Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday, Aug. 26.

There was a strong and vocal contingent of Saints fans at the StubHub Center, primarily a soccer facility which will be the Chargers home for the next three seasons.

Carson, CA – Phillip Rivers still looks like one of the best QB’s in the NFL, however the Chargers defense looks soft. Seattle makes it look like a clinic. Not the best start for the Los Angeles Chargers first game in Carson…

The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Sunday that they’ve reached an agreement on a new four-year contract with outside linebacker Melvin Ingram.

Ingram was franchise tagged earlier this off season after racking up 18.5 sacks over the last two years. CBS Sports Senior Writer Pete Prisco ranked Ingram as the top available free agent on the market this off season, but the Chargers wisely elected to give themselves some extra time to reach a deal with him by using the tag. They had until July 15 to do so but wrapped things up with a month to spare.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ingram’s new deal is worth $66 million over four years, $42 million of which is guaranteed. The Chargers pass rush is all but guaranteed to “make some noise” this year as they already have all their other top linemen signed.

Round 1, Pick 7 (No. 7 overall)

Mike Williams, WR, Clemson: The Chargers always looked like a potential sleeper landing spot for a wide receiver—Keenan Allen has had a hard time staying healthy, and they relied on players outperforming expectations last year. Williams gives QB Philip Rivers a big, physical receiver, something with which Rivers always has had great success. The cost of this for the Chargers is that they had to pass on safety Malik Hooker and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, both of whom could have upgraded a defense that’s still shy on talent. Hooker, in particular, set up as a natural fit. Williams will make plays downfield, on slants and in the red zone. Will he make enough to help make up for any defensive issues L.A. has?​ L.A.? Still getting used to that! Overall, this is a great pick for the Chargers.

Mike Williams is not the best receiver in the draft after the catch or at creating separation, but he was taken this high because he’s strong at the catch point on jump balls. His skill set, highlighted by great body control, is not so different than Vincent Jackson or Malcolm Floyd. They both had great careers with Rivers, who loves trusting his wideouts and giving them a chance to make a play. That’s Williams’ specialty.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Chargers had a private workout for Williams recently and kept it secret because they didn’t want anyone to know that this was the guy they had their eye on with the first pick since hiring coach Anthony Lynn. Somewhere, sitting with his 7-on-7 team of children, Rivers is smiling.

The Chargers announced their relocation to Los Angeles over a month ago, but this lame billboard still remains just outside Qualcomm Stadium. It just shows the arrogance of team Spanos. “Keeping the Tradition in San Diego?” What a lie! They forgot to take out the trash. This is just one more thing that really makes me mad as a true San Diego Chargers fan! I always had the Chargers back, but to see this garbage in plain sight makes me want to puke. I know, it is most likely the city’s fault right? After all Spanos forked over millions to end their lease at the Q, All that money and they can’t even remove a bullshit sign. Read it and weep San Diego. Perhaps I will place some blame on our mayor as well, after all he got played and he will always be remembered as the mayor that let the Chargers get away. So sad…When will the drama end? The Chargers should be sued for their lack of sincerity. The only tradition the Chargers kept is a lousy owner. 

LaDainian Tomlinson, one of the Chargers’ greatest players and one of the most prolific running backs in NFL history, has been officially selected for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Hall announced on Saturday. This was the first year Tomlinson was eligible for selection to the Hall.

In 2015, Tomlinson had his No. 21 retired by the Chargers and he was inducted into the team’s hall of fame.

Tomlinson retired from the NFL in 2012 as the league’s fifth all-time leading rusher (13,684 career yards) and its second-most prolific scorer (145 career rushing touchdowns).

The Chargers’ first-round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft (fifth overall), Tomlinson and his disarming smile were the face of the Chargers’ franchise during nine seasons in San Diego (2001-09). He set or tied a total of 28 team records, including marks for career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns in a season and total touchdowns.

Tomlinson is one of the most decorated Chargers in history. Among the more than 100 team and NFL awards that he captured during his career, Tomlinson was named the Associated Press’ NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year in 2006. That same year, he was named the Walter Payton co-NFL Man of the Year and the runner-up as the AP’s Male Athlete of the Year. Tomlinson was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time first-team All-Pro, two-time second-team All-Pro and runner up for the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2001. Tomlinson was named by his teammates as the Chargers Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year five times.

Tomlinson’s accolades in 2006 extended beyond the playing field, as he was also crowned with the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. One of LT’s childhood idols, Payton was the only other man to win MVP and Man of the Year honors in the same season.

From his very first game in a Chargers uniform, Tomlinson appeared destined for greatness. He ran for 113 yards in his NFL debut against the Washington Redskins in 2001, becoming only the 20th player in the NFL since 1970 to eclipse 100 yards in his first game. As a rookie, he went on to rack up a team-record 1,603 total yards from scrimmage, while setting team rookie records for rushing yards (1,236) and rushing touchdowns (10).

In 2002, Tomlinson shattered previous team records when he tallied 1,683 rushing yards and 2,172 total yards from scrimmage. He ranked second in the NFL in rushing and third in yards from scrimmage. His 15 total touchdowns ranked sixth in the league.

In 2003, Tomlinson caught a team-record 100 passes and he became the first player in league history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes in the same season. “LT” racked up 2,370 total yards from scrimmage in 2003, second-most in NFL history (Marshall Faulk – 2,429 yards in 1999). Tomlinson became just the eighth player to post consecutive seasons with 2,000 or more scrimmage yards.

In 2004, Tomlinson carried the Chargers to their first AFC West title in 10 years as he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (17) for the first time in his career. A year later (2005), Tomlinson tied Lenny Moore’s NFL record by scoring a touchdown in 18 straight games and he set a new NFL record by scoring a rushing touchdown in 14 straight games. In San Diego’s 2005 season finale against Denver, Tomlinson scored his 20th touchdown of the season, breaking Chuck Muncie’s team record of 19, set in 1981. Tomlinson also moved past Alworth to become the team’s all-time leader in career yards from scrimmage.

In 2007, Tomlinson captured NFL titles for rushing yards (1,474) and rushing touchdowns (15), while tying Emmitt Smith as the fourth-fastest player to rack up 10,000 total scrimmage yards (106 games). Tomlinson became the first player since Edgerrin James (1999-00) to win consecutive league rushing titles and the first player ever to score 15 or more touchdowns in six consecutive seasons.

Tomlinson’s final two seasons in San Diego saw him achieve even more milestones. In 2008 he reached 15,000 career scrimmage yards, doing so faster than any other player in league history and he reached 11,000 career rushing yards faster (117 games) than every back except Eric Dickerson (103), Jim Brown (107) and Barry Sanders (115). In 2009, LT scored his 150^th career touchdown, reaching that mark in fewer games than any player in NFL history. At the conclusion of the 2009 season, Tomlinson had set NFL marks for a decade (2001-09) for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns.

Tomlinson played his final two NFL seasons (2010-11) with the New York Jets.

Tomlinson was just the fifth player in NFL history to rush for more than 10,000 yards and catch 500 career passes. He became the first player to score 10 or more touchdowns in each of his first eight NFL seasons. And he became just the third player in league history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first eight seasons.

In 2009, Tomlinson and former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner were selected as Most Caring Athletes by USA Weekend Magazine.  He and his wife, LaTorsha, started the Tomlinson Touching Lives Foundation, which has hosted many events over the years. They included youth football camps, golf tournaments, fishing trips for kids and at-risk teens, a Thanksgiving program that provided complete holiday dinners to more than 2,100 San Diego families, and a Christmas program in which they gave away more than 1,500 holiday gifts to the patients at San Diego’s Children’s Hospital and Health Center.

In October 2007, the Tomlinsons were forced to flee their home in the middle of the night when flames from a wildfire roared perilously close to their home. Area firefighters waged a heroic battle and stopped the fire literally at the Tomlinson’s back fence, preserving their home and all of its contents, including LT’s vast memorabilia collection. That December, Tomlinson hosted an event to support the first responders and volunteers who helped fight the fires and personally donated 300 flat-screen televisions to families that lost their homes in the fires.

At each Chargers’ home game, Tomlinson hosted “The 21 Club,” invited 21 kids from San Diego youth groups and non-profit organizations to attend games. After the game, he invited the youngsters onto the field where they enjoyed a one-on-one visit with their football hero and received a special gift.

The Foundation also created the “School is Cool Scholarship Fund,” which awarded 30 annual scholarships to college-bound students based on academics, community involvement and volunteerism. Of the 30 students selected by Tomlinson each year, 15 were selected from San Diego and 15 were chosen from his alma mater, University High School in Waco, Texas.

Born in Rosebud, Texas, Tomlinson starred at University High School in Waco before taking his career to Texas Christian University, where he became an All-American and a two-time Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. At TCU, Tomlinson became only the second player in college football history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and 5,000 yards in a career. In 2005, his jersey was retired at TCU and in 2009 he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Tomlinson now works as an analyst for the NFL Network, while continuing to be a leader in the community. LaDainian and LaTorsha reside in Colleyville, Texas with their son, Daylen, and daughter, Dayah.

By Anthony Madafferari “The Mad Dog”

We have all been hearing chatter lately that the Oakland Raiders are moving to Sin City. Another poor choice and another ding in the NFL’s reputation in general. Why Vegas? Sure it would work there but what about the Raiders fans? Why do they not have a say in this? The mayor of Oakland is not helping.  Since I am a die hard Chargers fan, I really don’t care much for the Raiders or where they play their home games. The Raiders hit a bump in the road on their way to Las Vegas as one of the major investors has pulled out and decided not to invest $650 million to the cause. So much NFL drama these days. All these NFL moves and proposed moves lately seems pretty lame in general. The Raiders belong in Oakland and the Chargers belong in San Diego- end of story. Mainly because of greed and other money laced NFL incentives, the NFL is currently playing musical chairs. Enough is enough! I can live without the Raider nation coming to San Diego. You might be thinking San Diego needs another NFL team here, but do not sell your soul. Scott Kaplin of the Mighty 1090 (XTRA Sports AM radio in San Diego) is suggesting bringing the Raiders to San Diego and also long time sports journalist Nick Canepa from San Diego The Union Tribune just wrote an article (Feb 1st) suggesting it is a great idea. Not so fast! The San Diego Raiders? It just sounds so retarded.

Going to Charger games as a kid back in 1978, we would all shout ” Raiders Suck, Raiders Suck, Raiders Suck”- I think you get the idea, so why would I ever care about the Silver and Bleak? Sure they are winning again, but it is simply not my team and never will be! I think most Raider fans would respect my position as a fan and that is what makes sports so great- rivalries! So the next son of a gun that suggests San Diego Raiders can kiss my ass. I will always support the idea (reality) of the Chargers in Los Angeles because it is still the Chargers and I really never had anything against LA except for maybe the Dodgers. So I could say Go Padres, and most Dodger fans would understand. But this idea of the San Diego Raiders is ludicrous. It just sounds bad. Plus, the Chargers were originally from LA (for one year.) If that even counts in this argument. At least they are next door to San Diego so to speak.

Too bad the citizens of San Diego did not vote 99 percent for Spanos. Clearly, things went wrong on all sides, but that did not mean the team is not loved in San Diego. Perhaps Dean Spanos was tired of being tired regarding getting a new stadium, but this is California and he should have been even more patient. Is there a chance the Chargers are regretting their move to LA? We can all hope Mr Spanos wakes up one day soon and brings the Chargers “home” to San Diego (in a couple of years he most likely will clearly admit LA was a disaster) That is why I would never ever burn my Chargers gear or let alone, give it away to the homeless or anyone else. I understand all their frustration (the fans), but that was very childish. After all it is still Phillip Rivers and the Chargers. Billy Ray Smith was even quoted saying, “What’s the big deal? It is only 90 minute drive away.” or something like that.

In closing, let me just say that the Chargers belong in San Diego, not the Raiders. I would even try to learn to like soccer before I would support the San Diego Raiders. Remember this if it helps: “San Diego Super Chargers! Charge!”

As far as the prior article written on Los Angeles Chargers Info regarding the SD Raiders, it was clearly just a thought at the time, but now I have had plenty of time to think about it and I say leave the Raiders in Oakland where they belong. What do you think?

Thanks for your comments.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was named to his sixth Pro Bowl Tuesday. He joins Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward and running back Melvin Gordon for 2017.

But the NFL tells Chargers Fan Guide that instead of being introduced as  San Diego Chargers, Rivers, Hayward, and Gordon will all be announced as Los Angeles Chargers during the Pro Bowl. Another sign that the Chargers are clearly moving on.

The team played in San Diego for the entire 2016 season, and won’t play in Los Angeles County until next season.

Rivers replaces Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger on the AFC roster who is out due to injury. Originally selected a second alternative, Rivers is expected to compete in this year’s event. Rivers declined the 2014 and 2015 Pro Bowls due to injuries and personal reasons.

Rivers threw for 4,386 yards in 2016; his 33 touchdown passes rank fourth out of all quarterbacks.

The early days of the Chargers’ return to L.A. haven’t gone well. There’s now a question as to whether they’ve gone so poorly as to spark a full-fledged case of mover’s regret.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com recently wrote that the move “angered NFL owners and executives just as much” as it angered folks in San Diego, if not more.

Per the report, the NFL has been “beside itself” regarding the move.

“There are a ton of owners very upset that [the Chargers] moved,” an unnamed source told Schefter, adding that the NFL actually wants the Chargers to move back to San Diego.

While there may be some who believe that the Chargers shouldn’t have moved and who may be pushing that agenda now, the prevailing view in league circles is that it’s a done deal. Indeed, it was a done deal a year ago, when the owners specifically gave the Chargers a 12-month window to move to L.A.

There was no equivocation or hesitation. The die was cast in January 2016, there was never a peep about it being a mistake for the ensuing 12 months, and then the Chargers opted to utilize the right to relocate.

As one source who is very well connected regarding franchise dynamics told PFT in response to the ESPN.com report, “I have heard nothing about it.”

There simply aren’t “a ton of owners” upset about the move. The more likely reality here is that some in the league office are sensing that the Chargers’ move to L.A. is going to be a debacle, and that they want to be able to say “I told you so” if/when the Chargers fail in L.A.

Regardless, the owners had a clear opportunity a year ago to tell Chargers owner Dean Spanos “no” to a move. The owners overwhelmingly allowed the Rams to move right away, and to give the Chargers the ability to do the same more than a year ago.

In the ensuing 12 months, there was never a public or private sense of remorse or regret. Yes, there was a periodic impression that owner Roger Goodell wanted to keep the team in San Diego, but there was never any report with the kind of specificity that has now emerged, far too late for it to matter.

Even if the Chargers would turn tail and return to San Diego, what would they do about a stadium? That’s the problem; the money isn’t available to build a stadium — unless Rams owner Stan Kroenke would be willing to write a very, very large check for exclusive rights to the L.A. market.

If the Chargers move to Los Angeles continues to embarrass the league, perhaps Spanos could actually return to San Diego (with apologies of course), So far, the team’s move to LA has not been so smooth. As you probably and most likely already know, Los Angeles has enough teams already and they really do not seem to care much for “San Diego’s” Chargers. Perhaps with tons more embarrassment, Mr. Spanos simply decides to make a U turn, and just like that it is the San Diego Super Chargers again! Do you like my writing? It gets even better:

San Diego as a city, needs to grow up and start acting like they really want a world class stadium, and get it built. Forget trying to get the NFL or a Spanos type to pay for it. Just get it built. Mr. Spanos may come crying home in the near future after his major failure in Los Angeles. Is that so hard to imagine? Perhaps it is not that hard to imagine at all. It just might take a few years, (for Spanos to wake up) by then, San Diego’s new stadium is ready (or almost ready) and looking great!

If San Diego is a true world class city, it needs a world class venue, not just for an NFL team, we are talking major league soccer, the Aztecs, monster trucks, motocross, future conventions, (comic con etc.) the list goes on and on. Perhaps San Diego’s civic leadership can finally figure out a way to build a beautiful new stadium in Mission Valley, where it belongs. Something their citizens can all be proud of. Let’s face it, their Qualcomm Stadium is a dump that keeps cracking and leaking.

Is San Diego finally ready to step up its game? If the city of San Diego and the County of San Diego, and also the Port of San Diego all get together and chip in, the new Mission Valley stadium would be a reality sooner than you think, and Mr Spanos would have to come off of his high horse and bring the Chargers back to Mission Valley where they truly belong. Really strong city leadership is what the city of San Diego desperately needs. Here is a hint to their mayor: Pave the streets and build a new stadium. It is not rocket science.

Now lets get back to the subject of the Los Angeles Chargers. Dean Spanos’ decision to move the San Diego Chargers to Los Angeles was an unpopular one. Surprisingly, the move angered not just loyal fans in San Diego but, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “a ton of owners” as well.

As much as the Chargers’ move to Los Angeles angered San Diego, it angered NFL executives and owners just as much, if not more.

Since the move was announced, the NFL has been “besides itself,” in the words of one league source. “There are a ton of owners very upset that [the Chargers] moved,” one source said. The source added that the NFL wants the Chargers to move back, though nobody believes that possibility is realistic.

But some NFL owners and some league officials are still hoping that, now that the move has been made official, Chargers chairman Dean Spanos will wake up one morning soon, recognize this situation has been “bungled so bad” and take his team back to San Diego, where it spent the past 56 years. Again, the chances are at best remote that this happens, however it may take even more “failures” from the Chargers to get a clue just how bad this may turn out. So far, it has been a debacle.

For now, there are NFL owners and league officials still praying that the longest of long shots comes in and the Chargers bolt back to San Diego. Hopefully the Chargers organization, wakes up from their stupor, and stops sniffing glue. In other words, lets all hope they come back to planet earth.

While neither Schefter nor his sources specify why, exactly, they disliked the decision, the idea of owners being down on the Chargers move to Los Angeles it was surprising. It does not serve the NFL to be at odds with other teams and sources. I think the most obvious reason would be the fact that San Diego simply had way too many loyal fans, and whenever you uproot and alienate that many people, it can never ever be a good thing, and that is exactly what happened and as Clint Eastwood once said “its gonna get fucking ugly.”

Can the Chargers really get the respect (from LA) that they will need to survive in Los Angeles?

The initial stages of the Chargers’ transition to Los Angeles have been rough. First, the team announced the move, drawing fans to their San Diego headquarters to drop off their gear in the parking lot. Then, Twitter made enough fun of the team’s new logo that they changed it on their social media sites multiple times.

Tight end Jeff Cumberland was booed by a crowd at Staples Center when shown on the video screen during a Lakers-Clippers game. Two dozen San Diego moving companies banded together and agreed to not help the team make the two-hour trip north to L.A. And at the LA Forum, While the team held a lame looking rally, Spanos got a real earful from a San Diego fan. And don’t forget, the team made the unconventional choice to make a 30,000-seat soccer stadium its temporary home for the next two seasons.

Lets hope the Chargers stop drinking their bath water and head on home. We all know they were in la la land even before they actually went to la la land, and it would feel great to straighten things out, and bring the team back to San Diego where they belong.

It can only get better from here, right? San Diego, are you ready to take them back?

As the Chargers make the rounds with the press and promoting what it bills as the “Fight For L.A.,” Team Spanos took one to the chin a few days ago when Angelenos booed a Chargers logo at a Clippers game when it was put up on the jumbo tron. At any rate, Spanos has his work cut out for him. It seems as if everybody is feeling the San Diego fans pain.

While San Diego is still removing the knife from its back, The Spanos team is busy making the rounds.

Fans also booed “Los Angeles Chargers tight end” and innocent bystander Jeff Cumberland, a reserve who missed the 2016 season with an Achilles injury. Cheers, celebrations, and shows of cloying support usually greet most professional sports teams in a new home. But in Los Angeles, its an entirely different mind set. In other words, they no likey Chargers.

The Chargers do have some fans in LA, and there may a few die hard San Diego fans that will make it up to LA, it seems like this is all a bad dream. Say it aint so…

The show-me skepticism is also hardened by the reality that Angelenos prefer two other NFL teams: Primarily the hometown Rams, who stink but have deep roots in L.A., and don’t forget the Oakland Raiders, who won a Super Bowl as the L.A. Raiders. Raider Nation is strong in Los Angeles.

They just showed the new #Chargers logo and their tight end at the #Clippers/#Lakers game. Nothing but “boos!” Welcome to LA. pic.twitter.com/DhhlVvI9Ec

— 𝕋𝔸𝕁𝕀. (@InfiniteRaiders) January 14, 2017

So, L.A. isn’t big on the San Diego thing, embracing a team with unconditional love before it proves itself. We all already knew that. Even Spanos knows that. That’s what makes this whole thing seem like nightmare. I think USC runs the show right now in LA with clearly the most fan support and I don’t think the USC fans care too much for the Chargers in general. Not that this is important, but it seems a bit tough to get a beer at a Trojans game, In other words, different type of fans. The NFL experience is more like a big party and the Chargers are crashing it. It remains to be seen how much support they will actually get, but the tiny stadium that their gonna play in the next two years might help disguise the draw to the games. Kinda like baby steps. The baby step LA Chargers, That is what is going on in LA. I hope they grow up fast!

The Chargers announced their move to Los Angeles all of three days ago, and they’ve apparently already changed their main logo three or four times.

The day after announcing the upcoming move, they debuted something that suspiciously looked like a blatant rip-off of the Dodgers’ logo. After being widely derided on social media—until the NFL deleted the original tweet showing off the logo—they changed the color scheme.

Longtime Charger Dan Fouts weighed in on the team moving from San Diego to Los Angeles. “It’s a gut shot,” Fouts said. “Having spent 15 years there… it’s hard to imagine this great city of San Diego not having the Chargers.”

We heard Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts was on XX Sports-Mighty 1090 the other day and was interviewed by Kevin Acee. He said he thought the move to LA was a bad decision.

As everyone saw this coming for well over a year, we asked Dan Fouts, one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic, player in San Diego Chargers history about it. Fouts, an analyst for CBS Sports, will call CBS’ broadcast of the AFC Divisional Playoff, Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots on Saturday (4:35 EST kickoff).

NFL Hall of Famer Dan Fouts was joined by the other CBS Analysts to talk the NFL postseason/offseason with the media on conference call on January 14th.

In the Bolts pantheon, he’s in rarified air alongside Lance Alworth, Don”Air” Coryell, Junior Seau, Charlie Joiner, LaDainian Tomlinson, Bobby Ross, Rodney Harrison, Phillip Rivers and Gary “Big Hands” Johnson.

Just a couple of weeks before the Chargers moved to Los Angeles, we asked Fouts if he wanted to share his opinions on the Chargers’ current situation, and he said he would really hate to see the team leave, because he know’s what a tremendous void they would leave behind in America’s finest city.

“Everyone’s got an opinion, but they haven’t asked me for my advice. Obviously as a fan of everything about San Diego, it pains me to think that the Chargers, who are such a big part of the San Diego community and have been for so many years would actually move to a place like Los Angeles.

“San Diego is an island basically. With the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Orange County to the north and the desert to the east and Mexico to the south, it’s really a little community that has a lot of pride in their sports teams, and the Chargers in particular.

“I’d hate to see them move. I’ve done, and will continue to voice my opinion on this subject in San Diego. ”

So it would be pretty devastating for the San Diego community if the Chargers do pack up and leave?

“Well, the sun will come up tomorrow, like it always does in San Diego, but it would be a tremendous void left in a really great city,” Dan Fouts continued. Shortly thereafter, the Chargers “Bolted for LA”…

Indeed the Chargers just pulled a Ron Burgundy, and said “go fuck yourself San Diego.”

Its one in a million, but after the way the Raiders fans packed the Q on December 18, 2016 in San Diego, there clearly is something to be said about that. Also, with so many pissed off Chargers fans, they might want to double down on the hatred for team Spanos  and actually join Raider nation.  Just for fun, here is a mocked up logo if the Raiders come to San Diego…Las Vegas really wants the Raiders, but maybe if San Diego city officials could actually work something out for a change, put a plan on the table for majority Raiders owner Mark Davis to at least look at as an actual proposal. Right after the Chargers bailed out on San Diego, the mayor Kevin Faulconer started playing the blame game. As if that would change anything. Seems like San Diego leadership dropped the ball on this entire fiasco. Could of, would of, etc…

At any rate, what is done is done and we all must move on, but San Diego as a city, as America’s finest city deserves an NFL team. 56 years of the NFL here in San Diego is simply flushed down the toilet? Not so fast! Perhaps there is a silver (and black) lining coming… Just a thought.

Las Vegas vs. San Diego?

The city of San Diego needs to sue the NFL for the Chargers name. Why just let it go? I really don’t think San Diego losing an NFL team is an option. I’m just saying, if San Diego wins the lawsuit, we would then have to completely fund a new stadium, or hope a new owner comes along and saves the day. As far as the Raiders coming here, I would adjust and support this idea and it would be a great way to get back at Spanos twice a year!

The Los Angeles News and Business Directory takes full credit for this article. Your welcome.

The Los Angeles Chargers released an updated version of their new logo on Friday, changing the colors to powder blue and yellow in place of the navy blue and white in the iteration revealed on Thursday.

The first edition of the logo was poorly received with critics calling it a copycat version of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ logo.

The Chargers have agreed to a four-year contract with former Buffalo Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn to be their next head coach, a team source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Lynn will be the franchise’s 16th head coach and first African-American head coach.

The 48-year-old Lynn was one of six candidates interviewed by the Chargers. The others included Sean McDermott, who was hired as the Bills’ head coach, New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith, Kansas City Chiefs special-teams coordinator Dave Toub and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

Chargers director of football operations John Spanos kept the team’s staff of assistants on hold after firing Mike McCoy nearly two weeks ago. And it’s said the Chargers would like to keep offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to maintain continuity for quarterback Philip Rivers.

Lynn also interviewed for the Los Angeles Rams’ and Bills’ head-coaching vacancies. He was elevated from running backs coach to offensive coordinator in Buffalo two games into the 2016 season when then-head coach Rex Ryan fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Lynn then took over for Ryan for the final game of the season after Bills owner Terry Pegula fired Ryan.

A Texas native, Lynn played running back at Texas Tech and spent six seasons in the NFL, including stops with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. Lynn mostly has experience as a running backs coach in the league, including stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets before landing in Buffalo.

Chargers director of football operations John Spanos kept the team’s staff of assistants on hold after firing Mike McCoy nearly two weeks ago. And it’s said the Chargers would like to keep offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to maintain continuity for quarterback Philip Rivers.

Lynn also interviewed for the Los Angeles Rams’ and Bills’ head-coaching vacancies. He was elevated from running backs coach to offensive coordinator in Buffalo two games into the 2016 season when then-head coach Rex Ryan fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Lynn then took over for Ryan for the final game of the season after Bills owner Terry Pegula fired Ryan.

A Texas native, Lynn played running back at Texas Tech and spent six seasons in the NFL, including stops with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. Lynn mostly has experience as a running backs coach in the league, including stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets before landing in Buffalo

SAN DIEGO — Chargers fans knew for several years that this dreaded day could be coming, that their beloved NFL team might move up the freeway to tap the perceived riches of Los Angeles.

That didn’t make it any easier Thursday, when the San Diego Chargers ceased to exist after 56 seasons.

They’re now the Los Angeles Chargers, set to join the recently relocated Rams to give the nation’s second-largest media market two NFL teams for the first time since 1994.

Team chairman Dean Spanos, who tried to move to LA a year earlier, announced the move to his employees at a morning meeting at Chargers Park. At the same time, the team posted a letter on its Twitter account, which was rebranded as the Los Angeles Chargers.

Just like that, decades worth of Sunday afternoons spent cheering original AFL stars Lance Alworth and Keith Lincoln; Air Coryell guys like Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow and Charlie Joiner; and on through to Junior Seau and LaDainian Tomlinson, became even more distant — and now bittersweet — memories.

Adding to the Chargers’ day of change, on Thursday night multiple news outlets reported the team will hire Anthony Lynn as coach. Lynn, 48, spent the last two seasons with the Bills, serving as interim coach after Rex Ryan was fired in late December.

The Chargers were born in Los Angeles in 1960 and were moved to San Diego the following year by Barron Hilton. They gave San Diego a unique identity, with the distinctive lightning bolt logo on their helmets and powder blue jerseys. Alworth, known as ‘‘Bambi,’’ and Keith Lincoln, the ‘‘Moose of the Palouse,’’ helped deliver the 1963 AFL title, the city’s only major championship.

In a statement, Spanos lauded the passion of the fans. ‘‘But today, we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers,’’ he said.

In return, fans lashed out at the family that bought the team in 1984. As Spanos was driven to the airport to fly to Los Angeles to meet with civic officials, Chuck Homenick got close to the SUV and yelled an obscenity.

Homenick said Spanos’ decision was ‘‘pretty horrible. Born and raised here in San Diego and been going to these games, and just can’t believe they’re leaving,’’ Homenick said. ‘‘I knew the decision was coming up soon and I was hoping they were going to stay. Business decision, but when it comes to money vs. fan support and loyalty, they’re not going to have much fan support up in L.A.’’

Joseph MacRae held a sign that read, ‘‘Alex Spanos would never leave SD! You failed us Dean.’’ Chargers owner Alex Spanos turned over control to son Dean years ago.

‘‘It’s really a dark day in San Diego sports history,’’ said MacRae, 30, who wore a Chargers jacket. He said he’d been going to Chargers games since he was 7. ‘‘That’s what it was all about, September through December, football on Sundays.’’

Throughout the day, more fans gathered at Chargers Park. Many tossed jerseys, hats and shirts onto a growing pile in the parking lot. Someone tossed a helmet onto the pile and began smashing it with a piece of wood. While many fans still supported the team despite several seasons of lackluster performances, they were angry at Spanos for his scorched-earth tactics the last two years.

The move had been in the works for years, as a long, bitter saga failed to result in a replacement for aging Qualcomm Stadium.

The Chargers’ decision to move comes less than three months after San Diego voters resoundingly rejected team-sponsored Measure C asking for $1.15 billion in increased hotel occupancy taxes to help fund a $1.8 billion downtown stadium and convention center annex.

The Chargers privately admitted they believed Measure C wouldn’t pass. Spanos had spent 2015 trying to get approval for a stadium in Carson near Los Angeles that the Chargers would share with the rival Oakland Raiders. That plan was voted down by fellow owners, but the Chargers were then granted the option to move to LA.

Civic leaders were angry at Spanos.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the Chargers could have worked out their differences on financing a new stadium but the team insisted on more taxpayer money than the city could ever agree to spend.

‘‘In sports, teams win and individuals lose. The Chargers were ultimately never willing to work with us as a team so we could achieve shared success,’’ Faulconer said. ‘‘Dean Spanos made a bad decision, and he will regret it. San Diego didn’t lose the Chargers. The Chargers just lost San Diego.’’

San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts said the Chargers quickly dismissed proposals by local leaders for a new stadium at the team’s existing site and launched a ‘‘quixotic quest’’ for a downtown stadium without any public input. He said voters wisely rejected the Chargers’ plans.

‘‘We have a lot of great memories but, when it comes to the public treasury, there are limits to what you’re willing to do to keep something like this here,’’ Roberts said.

‘‘I can’t sugarcoat this. This is a very disappointing day for us. It’s a day in infamy in sports history here in San Diego,’’ said Roberts, who turned emotional at times and compared Spanos to Donald Sterling, who moved the NBA’s Clippers from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984.

Even San Diego State University President Elliot Hirshman expressed sympathy for Chargers fans. ‘‘I am truly sorry, and you do not deserve this,’’ he said.

‘‘We had countless good-faith discussions (with the Chargers). Unfortunately, we didn’t have a good-faith partner,’’ he said.

SDSU also plays football at Qualcomm Stadium. The school is interested in expanding onto the Qualcomm Stadium site, including a new stadium that could be shared with an MLS team.

Other pro sports teams piled on about a new logo the Chargers unveiled Thursday, an interlocking LA similar to the Dodgers logo.

It’s unclear if the team will keep that logo, but the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning were among teams poking fun at the logo change on Twitter.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that the Chargers worked ‘‘tirelessly’’ to try to find a stadium solution. ‘‘That work — and the years of effort that preceded it — reflects our strongly held belief we always should do everything we can to keep a franchise in its community. That’s why we have a deliberate and thoughtful process for making these decisions,’’ Goodell said.

‘‘Relocation is painful for teams and communities. It is especially painful for fans, and the fans in San Diego have given the Chargers strong and loyal support for more than 50 years, which makes it even more disappointing that we could not solve the stadium issue. As difficult as the news is for Charger fans, I know Dean Spanos and his family did everything they could to try to find a viable solution in San Diego.’’

The Chargers will become a tenant in the stadium being built in Inglewood for the Rams. Before then, the Chargers will make their temporary home at the 27,000-seat StubHub Center in Carson.

Welcome to the brand new Los Angeles Chargers news blog!

Feel free to comment about anything on your mind regarding the Chargers move to the Los Angeles area. As a longtime Chargers fan living in San Diego, this is my way to try to get used to the idea of the Los Angeles Chargers.

I never thought it would happen, but it has, I feel that we San Diegan’s all must move on and this blog helps me vent and move on. I hope Los Angeles Chargers are a success and I look forward to watching Phillip Rivers. There are a lot of bitter fans here in San Diego and they might not be coming to Los Angeles anytime soon to wacth the Chargers. I will decide in due time. Until then, feel free to visit post your questions or comments on this brand new Los Angeles Chargers blog. Also included with this new site, is the built in Los Angeles area business directory. like a guide to a new era. This blog is for all Los Angeles area Chargers fans. We are a brand new blog, created right after Dean Spanos, the chargers owner moved his team to Los Angeles and leaving San Diego feeling sunburn.

just like L.A.’s new team.