LA Chargers 242x350 - Chargers History The Los Angeles Chargers original logo in 1960. The Chargers are back in Los Angeles after 56 years in San Diego. The Los Angeles Chargers football club began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), and spent its first season in Los Angeles, before moving to San Diego in 1961. The San Diego Chargers played in San Diego for 56 years. A return to Los Angeles was announced for the 2017 season, just one year after the Rams had moved back themselves. The team is now called the Los Angeles Chargers, the NFL team will play their home games at the StubHub Center until the opening of the state of the art Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park in 2020, which they will share with the Rams. The San Diego Chargers played their original games at Balboa Stadium, then in 1969, the Chargers moved into San Diego Stadium which at the time was a state of the art duel sport stadium that also hosted the San Diego Padres baseball club. The stadium was renamed in the eighties “San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium” in honor of the famous sports writer that helped get the stadium built. The stadium was renamed “Qualcomm Stadium” in the nineties, as the city sold the naming rights to help with stadium expansion funding. The San Diego Chargers had been the only NFL team based in Southern California since the Raiders and Rams moved out of Los Angeles in 1994. The Chargers won one AFL title in 1963 and reached the AFL playoffs five times and the AFL Championship four times before joining the NFL (1970) as part of the AFL–NFL merger. In the 43 years since then, the Chargers have made 13 trips to the playoffs and four appearances in the AFC Championship game. At the end of the 1994 season, the Chargers faced the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX and lost 49–26. The Chargers have seven players and one coach enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio: wide receiver Lance Alworth (1962–1970), defensive end Fred Dean (1975–1981), quarterback Dan Fouts (1973–1987), head coach/general manager Sid Gillman (1960–1969, 1971), wide receiver Charlie Joiner (1976–1986), offensive linemanRon Mix (1960–1969), tight end Kellen Winslow (1979–1987), and linebacker Junior Seau (1990–2002). balboastadium1964 300x219 - Chargers History The AFL Chargers played in Balboa Stadium in San Diego in 1964 1961-1970: the AFL years Los Angeles Chargers were established with seven other American Football League teams in 1959. In 1960, the Chargers began AFL play in Los Angeles. The Chargers’ original owner was hotel heir Barron Hilton, son of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton. According to the official website of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Barron Hilton agreed after his general manager, Frank Leahy, picked the Chargers name when he purchased an AFL franchise for Los Angeles: “I liked it because they were yelling ‘charge’ and sounding the bugle at Dodgers Stadium and at USC games.” The Chargers initially considered playing at the Rose Bowl, but instead signed a lease to play at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Chargers only spent one season in Los Angeles before moving to San Diego in 1961. From 1961 to 1966 their home field was Balboa Stadium in Balboa Park. As of August 1967, they moved to the newly constructed Qualcomm Stadium (then named San Diego Stadium), where they played their home games until 2016. Lance Alworth Large 300x200 - Chargers History Lance “Bambi” Alworth was one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game. The early AFL years of the San Diego Chargers were highlighted by the outstanding play of wide receiver Lance Alworth with 543 receptions for 10,266 yards in his 11-AFL/NFL-season career. In addition he set the pro football record of consecutive games with a reception (96) during his career. During his Chargers career, Alworth set pro football records with catches in 96 straight games and seven straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He was the first pro receiver to have five games with 200 or more receiving yards and is the only receiver to average more than 100 yards per game in three straight seasons. He caught 493 passes for 9,584 yards and 81 touchdowns in nine seasons for the Chargers – averaging more than 50 catches and 1,000 yards a season . . . at a clip of 19.5 yards a catch. Their only coach for the ten-year life of the AFL was Sid Gillman, a Hall of Famer who was considered the foremost authority on the forward passing offense of his era. With players such as Lance “Bambi” Alworth, Paul Lowe, Keith Lincoln and John Hadl, the high-scoring Chargers won divisional crowns five of the league’s first six seasons and the AFL title in 1963 with a 51–10 victory over the Boston Patriots. San Diego Chargers vs Boston Patriots 257x350 - Chargers History The San Diego Chagers beat the Boston Patriot 51-10 in the AFL championship game in 1963 They also played defense, as indicated by their professional football record 49 pass interceptions in 1961, and featured AFL Rookie of the Year defensive end Earl Faison. The Chargers were the originators of the term “Fearsome Foursome” to describe their all-star defensive line, anchored by Faison and Ernie Ladd (the latter also excelled in professional wrestling). The phrase was later appropriated by the Los Angeles Rams. Hilton sold the Chargers to a group headed by Eugene Klein and Sam Schulman in August 1966. The following year the Chargers began “head to head” competition with the older NFL with a preseason loss to the Detroit Lions. The Chargers defeated the defending Super Bowl III champion New York Jets 34–27 before a record San Diego Stadium crowd of 54,042 on September 29, 1969. Alworth once again led the team in receptions with 64 and 1,003 yards with four touchdowns. The team also saw Gillman step down due to health and offensive backfield coach Charlie Waller promoted to head coach after the completion of the regular season. Gillman did remain with the club as the general manager. 1970–78: Post-merger In 1970, the Chargers were placed into the AFC West division after the NFL merger with the AFL. But by then, the Chargers fell on hard times; Gillman, who had returned as general manager, stepped down in 1971, and many of the Charger players from the 1960s had already either retired or had been traded. The Chargers acquired veteran players like Deacon Jones and Johnny Unitas; however, it was at the later stages of their careers and the team struggled, placing third or fourth in the AFC West each year from 1970 to 1978. During the 1973 season, the Chargers were involved in the first major drug scandal in the NFL. 1978 was marked by the “Holy Roller” game, or as Chargers fans call it, the “Immaculate Deception”. It was a game-winning play executed by the Oakland Raiders against the Chargers on September 10, 1978, in San Diego at Jack Murphy Stadium. With 10 seconds left in the game, the Raiders had possession of the ball at the Chargers’ 14-yard line, down 20–14. Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler took the snap and found himself about to be sacked by Chargers linebacker Woodrow Lowe on the 24-yard line. Stabler fumbled the ball forward, and it rolled forward towards the San Diego goal line. Running back Pete Banaszak tried to recover the ball on the 12-yard line, but could not keep his footing, and the ball was pushed even closer to the end zone. Holly Roller Game 300x230 - Chargers History Dave Casper of the Oakland Raiders in the “Holly Rollers” game in 1980 Raiders tight end Dave Casper was the next player to reach the ball but he also could not get a hand on it. He batted and kicked the ball into the end zone, where he fell on it for the game-tying touchdown as time ran out. With the ensuing extra point by kicker Errol Mann, the Raiders won 21–20. What many Charger fans believed should have been called an incomplete pass (and possibly intentional grounding) was seen as a fumble and the rest of the play involved batting of the ball forward towards the end zone where the Raiders ultimately recovered it for a touchdown. As a result of this play, NFL rules were changed so that, in the last two minutes of a half or game, or on fourth down at any time in the game, the only offensive player allowed to advance a fumble is the player who originally fumbled. If any other offensive player recovers the fumble and advances the ball, after the play the line of scrimmage is the spot of the original fumble. 1979 marked a turning point for the Chargers franchise as The Sporting News named team general manager John Sanders NFL Executive of the Year after balloting of other NFL executives. Fouts set an NFL record with his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game, in a game in which he threw for 303 yards against the Raiders. Coached by Don Coryell (with an offense nicknamed “Air Coryell”), featuring Fouts throwing to tight end Kellen Winslow and wide receivers John Jefferson and Charlie Joiner, Charlie Joiner - Chargers History Charlie Joiner was amazing to watch. One of Dan Fouts’s favorite targets. they clinched their first playoff berth in 14 years with a 35–0 victory against the New Orleans Saints. On December 17, the Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 17–7 for their first AFC West division title since the AFL-NFL merger before a national Monday Night Football television audience and their home crowd. Their time in the playoffs was short as they would lose to the Houston Oilers 17–14 in the divisional round. Ron Mix became the second AFL player and second Charger to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, during halftime of the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. 1980 Main article: 1980 San Diego Chargers season The 1980 team saw the team trade for running back Chuck Muncie, Chuck Mubcie San Diego Chargers 300x193 - Chargers History Chuck Muncie in 1980 The 1980 team saw the team trade for running back Chuck Muncie, and dan fouts 04 233x350 - Chargers HistoryDan Fouts set a club record with 444 yards passing in the Chargers’ 44–7 victory over the New York Giants. Kellen Winslow caught 10 passes for 171 yards and Chargers clinched their second straight AFC West title by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 26–17 and finished the regular season with an 11–5 record. Jefferson (1,340), Winslow (1,290), and Joiner (1,132) became the first trio on the same team to have 1,000 yards receiving in a season. The Chargers’ defense led the NFL in sacks (60) spearheaded by the frontline of 1975 Chargers’ draftees Fred Dean, Gary “Big Hands” Johnson and Louie Kelcher. The trio, along with Leroy Jones formed a defensive frontline that was locally nicknamed Bruise Brothers. In the playoffs, they won the divisional round 20–14 over the Buffalo Bills. However, they fell one game shy of Super Bowl XV in a 34–27 loss to the eventual champion Raiders. In 1981, the Chargers won their third straight AFC West title with a 10–6 season. After the division titles of the 1979 and 1980 seasons, contract disputes arose and owner Klein refused to renegotiate players’ contracts. They traded wide receiver John Jefferson to the Green Bay Packers after he held out for an increase in salary but replaced him with Wes Chandler. Defensive end Dean also became involved in a holdout and was traded to the 49ers. Dean contends he was making the same amount of money as his brother-in-law who was a truck driver. Dean won UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year (while playing in only 11 games) that same year en route to a Super Bowl victory and helped the 49ers to another Super Bowl title two years later. Dean’s loss was particularly damaging to the dan fouts 2 300x190 - Chargers History Dan Fouts was the leader of “Air Coryell” Chargers’ Super Bowl chances as the defense weakened afterwards, surrendering the most passing yards in the NFL in both 1981 and 1982. In the 1981 playoffs, the Chargers outlasted the Miami Dolphins in the divisional round, 41–38, in a game that became known as The Epic in Miami. The game was voted as the best game in NFL history by a panel of ESPN journalists. The temperature was 85 °F with high humidity (29.4 °C) at the Miami Orange Bowl, but it did not stop either team’s offense. The Chargers were led by quarterback Dan Fouts who made the Pro Bowl for the third year in a row, setting an NFL single-season record at that time of 4,802 yards and 33 touchdowns. The Dolphins were led by head coach Don Shula and featured a defense that gave up the fifth-fewest points in the NFL in the regular season. ChargerAirCoryell - Chargers History One of the most prolific offenses ever in the NFL, the Air Coryell era was fun to watch. This game set playoff records for the most points scored in a playoff game (79), the most total yards by both teams (1,036), and most passing yards by both teams (809). Chargers placekicker Rolf Benirschke eventually kicked the winning 29-yard field goal after 13:52 of overtime to help San Diego beat Miami, 41–38. The image of an exhausted tight end Kellen Winslow, who finished the game with 13 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown and one blocked field goal, being helped off the field by two of his Chargers teammates has been replayed countless times. Winslow was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. However, the eventual-AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, playing in their first AFC Championship Game, defeated the Chargers 27–7 in what became known as the Freezer Bowl. Freezer Bowl Chargers vs Bengals 1981 300x169 - Chargers History Nicknamed the “Freezer Bowl”- One of the coldest NFL games ever played was the 1981 championship game: Chargers at Bengals The temperature of −9° with a wind-chill factor of −59° made this the coldest weather conditions for a title game in the history of the NFL. Chargers owner Eugene Klein tried to get the NFL and Bengals to postpone the game but he was turned down. 1982–88 During the strike-shortened 1982 season, Fouts averaged what was then a record of 320 yards passing per game. (The NFL record is 342.31, set by Peyton Manning in 2013.) Highlights that season included back-to-back victories against the 1981 Super Bowl teams San Francisco (41–37) and Cincinnati (50–34) in which Fouts threw for over 400 yards in each game to lead the Chargers to shootout victories. The Chargers made it back to the playoffs, but after beating the Steelers in the first round, they lost to the Dolphins 34–13 in a rematch of their playoff game from the previous season. That loss began a slide for the Chargers, who from 1983 to 1991 failed to make the playoffs every season. 300px Jack Murphy Stadium 1987 - Chargers History The Chargers hosting a pre-season game at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium in 1987 In 1984, Klein cut salary in preparation of selling the team, sending defensive linemen Johnson and Kelcher to San Francisco, where they would join Dean and offensive tackle Billy Shields for another 49ers championship in Super Bowl XIX. Alex Spanos purchased a majority interest in San Diego from Klein on August 1. Alex G. Spanos still owns 97% of the team and George Pernicano owns the other 3%. Benirschke was named “Miller Man of the Year” and Joiner set an NFL record with his 650th pass reception in the fourth quarter of the game at Pittsburgh. In 1985 guard Ed White set an NFL record by playing in 241 NFL games, most all-time among offensive linemen. Lionel “Little Train” James, a mere 5’6″ and 171 pound running back, set NFL record of 2,535 all-purpose yards while also setting a record of 1,027 receiving yards by a running back. Al Saunders was named the seventh head coach in Chargers history in 1986 following the resignation of Coryell. In 1987 Joiner retired to become receivers coach of the Chargers. The Chargers finished with an 8–7 record, their first winning record since 1982, despite winding up with six straight losses. In 1988 Fouts retired after a 15-year career in which he set seven NFL records and 42 club records, and became the NFL’s second most prolific passer of all-time with 43,040 yards. Fouts’s jersey number (14) was retired at halftime of “Dan Fouts Day” game in San Diego. 1989–1994: Super Bowl bound In 1989, Dan Henning, a former Chargers quarterback, Washington Redskins assistant, and Atlanta Falcons head coach, was named the eighth head coach in Chargers history. First-year running back Marion Butts set a club record with 39 carries and a team rookie record with 176 yards in Chargers’ 20–13 win in Kansas City. After a three-year stint as Director of Football Operations, Steve Ortmayer was released after the season and replaced by Bobby Beathard. Following Henning’s three-season stint with the Chargers, Bobby Ross was hired as the ninth head coach in 1992. Additionally, the Chargers acquired quarterback stan humphries 1994 09 11 242x350 - Chargers History “Stan the Man” Humphries in 1994 Leads the Chargers to their only Superbowl appearance versus 49ers Stan Humphries in a trade with the Washington Redskins. The Chargers would lose their first four games of the season and come back to become the first 0–4 team to make the playoffs as they won 11 of the last 12 games and clinched the AFC West title. Ross was named NFL Coach of the Year for the Chargers’ dramatic turnaround by Pro Football Weekly. In the first round of the playoffs, the Chargers shut out the Chiefs 17–0, but the Dolphins shut out the Chargers in the divisional playoffs to eliminate the Chargers. In 1993, the Chargers finished 8–8 (fourth in their division). In the 1994 season, the Chargers made their first and, so far, only Super Bowl appearance, against the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX. They got to the Super Bowl by winning their first six regular season games, the only NFL team to do so in 1994, and finished the season 11–5. Quarterback Stan Humphries and wide receiver Tony Martin combined on a 99-yard touchdown completion to tie an NFL record during a defeat of the Seattle Seahawks, 27–10. They would become the 1994 AFC West Division champions behind a defense led by linebacker Junior Seau, JR SEAU 300x200 - Chargers History 28 Oct 2001: Junior Seau #55 linebacker of the San Diego Chargers celebrates his quarterback sack versus the Buffalo Bills at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 27-24. defensive tackles Reuben Davis and Shawn Lee, defensive end Leslie O’Neal and an offense keyed by running back Natrone Means, Stan the Man in Pittsburgh 300x120 - Chargers History Some say this was the best Charger game ever played- Stan Humphries and the Chargers were nine-point underdogs when they toppled the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 15, 1995. Humphries and Martin. The Chargers had upset victories over the Dolphins and Steelers in the AFC playoffs. Despite those two close triumphs (22–21 against the Dolphins in the Divisional Round, and 17–13 against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game), the Chargers lost Super Bowl XXIX to the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 49–26, who were led by quarterback Steve Young (Super Bowl MVP) and wide receiver Jerry Rice. Despite the lopsided loss in the Super Bowl, Beathard, who traded for or drafted the bulk of the Chargers roster, and who hired coach Ross, was named the NFL’s smartest man by Sports Illustrated, and became the only general manager to lead three different teams to the Super Bowl (Chargers, Dolphins, Redskins). 1995–2004 The Chargers’ follow-up year in 1995 did not bring the same success of the previous season, but the team still managed to get into the playoffs with a five-game winning streak to end the season at 9–7. However, in the first round, the Chargers were eliminated by the Indianapolis Colts in a 35–20 defeat. In 1996, running back Rodney Culver and his wife, Karen, were killed in the crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Florida Everglades. Culver was the second player in team history to die while on the active roster after David Griggs was killed in a one-car accident in Davie, Florida, 11 months earlier. In 1997, Ross and Beathard were at odds with one another, resulting in Ross and his staff being released. The Chargers selected Kevin Gilbride to become their new head coach. Gilbride, whose coaching background with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oilers featured a more open passing attack, would mark a major change in offensive style from the ball control ground game of Ross. Beathard drafted quarterback Ryan Leaf after the Indianapolis Colts selected Peyton Manning with the first pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. The Chargers traded several players and draft choices to the Arizona Cardinals in order to move up to the second pick and select Leaf. Leaf turned out to be arguably the biggest bust in NFL history. His poor play and attitude caused his departure after the 2000 season. In 1998, the Chargers went 5–11. Said safety Rodney Harrison, “If I had to go through another year like that, I’d probably quit playing.” LT San Diego Chargers - Chargers History The Chargers drafted running back LaDainian Tomlinson in the 2001 NFL Draft, becoming their all time rusher leader and one of the best running backs ever to play the game. (Selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Feb. 4 2017) The Chargers struggled in pass protection, resulting in Humphries suffering several concussions and his retirement from the game. Gilbride was replaced by interim head coach June Jones, who was on the Chargers’ staff before the hire. Jones left the team at the end of the season to coach at the University of Hawaii and the Chargers named former Oregon State University head coach Mike Riley as their new head coach. Leaf wound up having a disappointing career with the Chargers after a great deal of controversy with both the Charger management as well as the press and his teammates. His failure to be the player the team envisioned was seen as a black mark on the franchise and is generally considered one of the worst draft/trades in the history of pro football. Quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional draft choice in 2000, became the Chargers starting quarterback. Beathard retired in April 2000 and was replaced in January 2001 by John Butler, former general manager of the Bills. From 1996 to 2003, the Chargers had eight-straight seasons where they were .500 or worse. In 2001, Norv Turner, the former head coach of the Redskins, was named offensive coordinator by Riley. Turner installed the offense that he coached with the Dallas Cowboys under Jimmy Johnson. Turner learned the offense from Ernie Zampese, former offensive coordinator during the Coryell era, Drew Brees 300x200 - Chargers History The Chargers drafted Drew Brees in 2002, exactly one year after they drafted LaDainian Tomlinson. while the two were on the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff. The Chargers signed Heisman Trophy winner free agent quarterback Doug Flutie, formerly with the Bills, and traded the team’s first overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons for the first-round selection (5th overall) and third-round selection in the same draft. In addition the Chargers obtained wide receiver-kick returner Tim Dwight and the Falcons’ second-round draft selection in the 2002 NFL Draft. The Chargers used those selections in the 2001 draft to select Texas Christian University running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Purdue University quarterback Drew Brees. Hired as a replacement to Riley, Marty Schottenheimer’s marty schottenheimer - Chargers History In 2002 Marty Shottenheimer came to San Diego with the mantra “We will win!” and he turned around the Chargers losing ways. He is the only head coach in Chargers history to win his first four games. Chargers squad opened the 2002 season with four-straight victories, making him the only coach in team history to win his first four games. Butler would succumb to cancer after a nine-month struggle in April 2003. Replacing Butler was A. J. Smith, who was named Executive Vice President-General Manager, replacing his close friend. Smith and Butler had worked together with the Bills, playing key roles with Buffalo’s Super Bowl teams. In 2003, the Chargers traded Seau to the Dolphins for a draft pick in 2004 NFL Draft. Seau was selected to 2003 Pro Bowl, his 12th Pro Bowl selection of his career, and in his final season with the Chargers, he was chosen by teammates as the recipient of the Emil Karas Award as the team’s Most Inspirational Player. Also in 2003, Tomlinson accumulated 195 total yards from scrimmage in a late-season game against the Packers to raise his season total to 2,011 and became the first player in team history and the eighth player in NFL history to record consecutive 2,000-yard seasons. Tomlinson also became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes in the same season. The Chargers coveted Eli Manning and wanted to select him with their first round pick, which was also the first overall pick of the draft. However, after Eli Manning indicated before the draft that he would not sign with the San Diego Chargers, they were forced to adjust their plans. Philip Rivers was their first alternative to Manning because the Chargers head coach at the time, Marty Schottenheimer, had coached Rivers at the Senior Bowl and he liked what he saw from Rivers. The Chargers agreed to a trade on draft day with the New York Giants. Manning was selected by the San Diego Chargers then later in the draft traded for Rivers, selected with the fourth pick by the Giants. The Chargers also received draft picks from the Giants that were used to select future Pro Bowlers Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding. Rivers was one of seventeen quarterbacks taken in the 2004 NFL Draft along with Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, and Matt Schaub. Rivers, Roethlisberger, Schaub and Manning have been voted to the Pro Bowl since becoming starters, none had produced a season with a losing record until Schaub in in 2010, but Roethlisberger and Manning both have won two Super Bowls. They have been compared favorably to the Quarterback class of 1983, which included Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway (1st pick), Jim Kelly (14th), and Dan Marino (27th). Phillip Rivers 300x198 - Chargers History Jan 3, 2016 Denver, CO, San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) In August 2004, Rivers signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract that included $14.5 million in signing bonuses. However, due to a protracted contract negotiation, Rivers only reported to the team during the last week of training camp, and incumbent Drew Brees retained his starting job. After the starting quarterback switch, it was almost certain Brees’ days as the Chargers’ starting QB were over. However, Rivers held out nearly all of training camp, and Brees remained the starter throughout the 2004 season, where he started 15 games and led the team to a 12-4 regular season record. Brees posted spectacular numbers, completing 65.5% of his passes for 3,159 yards, with 27 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions, giving him a 104.8 passer rating. The Chargers won the AFC West and Brees was selected to the 2004 Pro Bowl. He was named 2004 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Marty Schottenheimer was named NFL Coach of the Year for the 2004 NFL season. He led the team to a playoff appearance, his 12th as a head coach. However, it resulted in a disappointing loss to the underdog New York Jets in overtime in 2005. SHAWNE MERRIMAN - Chargers History Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman in 2009. During the 2005 NFL Draft, the Chargers tried to get some key rookies that would help carry the momentum from their mostly successful 2004–05 run. They used their first pick on LB Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman from the University of Maryland. Merriman was among the top linebackers in the NFL in his first three seasons with the San Diego Chargers, where he was a three-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection. Merriman was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft. He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season and recorded  39 1⁄2 quarterback sacks in his first three seasons. He was hampered by injuries his next three seasons, and the Chargers waived Merriman midseason in 2010. He was acquired through waivers by the Buffalo Bills that season, but he only played minimally with the Bills due to continued injuries. He was released by the Bills before the 2012 season before they re-signed him mid-season. The Chargers used their next 2005 draft pick on DT Luis Castillo from Northwestern University. Their other choices were WR Vincent Jackson from Northern Colorado, Darren Sproles 300x210 - Chargers History Darren Sproles shines in 2005. After the Chargers released Drew Brees, Sproles decided to follow Brees to New Orleans. He should have never been traded away from San Diego period. RB Darren Sproles from Kansas State, OT Wesley Britt from University of Alabama, OT Wes Sims from Oklahoma University, and Center Scott Mruczkowski from Bowling Green State. The Chargers got off to a rough start in their 2005 campaign, losing a close one to the Dallas Cowboys in their Week 1 home-opener (28–24) and then they lost on the road to their AFC West rival, the Denver Broncos (20–17). It wasn’t until a Week 3 home game on Sunday night that they got their first win of the season, when Eli Manning and the New York Giants got “shocked to the system” as LaDainian Tomlinson had one of the greatest games of his career. He got 220 total yards, had 3 rushing touchdowns, and threw for a touchdown as he helped the Chargers win 45–23. A week later, they were able to build off their win by not only beating the two-time defending champion New England Patriots 41–17, but also ending the Pats’ 21-game winning streak at home. In their Week 5 Monday Night home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chargers wore their throw-back uniforms during this season (they had also worn them during the 1994 season). The Steelers held on to win with a 40-yard field goal by Jeff Reed (24–22). The Chargers rebounded on the road against their division rival Oakland Raiders (27–14). In their Week 7 road trip to Philadelphia, they hoped to build off their win against the Eagles. Late in the game, with the Chargers leading 17–13, the Chargers tried to go for a field goal to put their lead well out of reach, but it got blocked and Eagles DB Matt Ware returned it 65 yards for the game-winning touchdown and the Chargers fourth loss of the season. After going 3–4, the Chargers turned things around as they began a five-game winning streak. They won at home against division-rival Kansas City Chiefs (28–20) and on the road against the New York Jets (31–26). Coming off their Week 10 bye, they went home and wore their throw-back uniforms again. This time, it was a dominating performance as the Chargers man-handled the Buffalo Bills, 48–10. Then, they went on the road and won a close match against the Washington Redskins (23–17 in OT) and then they swept the Oakland Raiders at home by a score of 34–10. The Chargers were 8–5, coming off a 23–21 loss to the Miami Dolphins. On December 18, the Chargers beat the undefeated Indianapolis Colts 26–17, snapping a 13–0 winning streak. However, despite a record of 9–6, they were officially eliminated from AFC playoff contention in 2005 after a 20–7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs the following Saturday. The Chargers lost their final game of the season by a score of 23–7 to the AFC West champion Denver Broncos to finish with a record of 9–7. 2006–2009 The Chargers delivered an impressive performance in 2006, losing only to the Ravens and Chiefs, they finished 14–2 which secured them the #1 AFC seed in the playoffs. However, they lost 24-21 to the New England Patriots in the divisional round. Marty Schottenheimer and Drew Brees 300x289 - Chargers History San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, left, talks with starting quarterback Drew Brees moments before the start of their NFL football game against Schottenheimer’s former team the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer was fired on January 7 2007 in a shocking move by team president Dean Spanos, who cited a “dysfunctional situation” between the head coach and general manager A.J. Smith. The move was first reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Less than a month after San Diego’s NFL-best 14-2 season was wrecked in a playoff loss to New England, Spanos cited the exodus of both coordinators and other assistants in firing Schottenheimer, who had a year left on his contract. “This decision was so hard because Marty has been both a friend and valued coach of our team,” Spanos said in a statement. “But my first obligation is always to do what is in the best interest of our fans and the entire Charger organization. I must take whatever steps are necessary to deliver a Super Bowl trophy to San Diego. Events of the last month have now convinced me that it is not possible for our organization to function at a championship level under the current structure. On the contrary, and in the plainest possible language, we have a dysfunctional situation here. Today I am resolving that situation once and for all. Norv Turner 300x200 - Chargers History Norv Turner replaced the 14-2 Marty Schottenheimer in 2007 after team owner Dean Spanos fired Marty Schotenheimer. Under new head coach Norv Turner in 2007, the Chargers were 11-5, beating the Tennessee Titans and the defending champion Indianapolis Colts to reach the AFC title game. However, they fell to the Patriots for the second year in a row. In 2008, the Chargers dropped to 8–8, but as the AFC West was unusually weak that year, they still managed to win the division title. Defeating the Colts in the wild card round, they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round. San Diego began the 2009 2–3. After losing to the Broncos on Monday night, they began an unbroken winning streak for the rest of the season, which included defeating the entire NFC East. In Week 11, they avenged their earlier loss against the Broncos by inflicting a 32–3 rout on them. The next game saw them beat a 1–11 Cleveland Browns squad 30-23, in which LaDainian Tomlinson broke Hall of Famer Jim Brown’s rushing record and was congratulated by him afterwards. The Chargers secured another division title, the #2 AFC seed, and looked to be a near shoo-in for the Super Bowl. However, the team’s postseason futility continued. Hosting the New York Jets on January 17, 2010, they endured an upset defeat, where, despite an early lead, were unable to overcome the strong Jets’ defense. Kicker Nate Kaeding also missed three field goal and PAT attempts, which resulted in the Chargers losing 17–14. 2010–2012: End of the Norv Turner/A.J. Smith era The 2010 season was the 1st season without LaDainian Tomlinson since 2000 (Tomlinson was let go by management due to an oversized contract relative to production and other issues; he went on to lead the Jets in rushing with 914 yards & tied for 3rd in receptions with 52). The 2010 campaign started off slowly again, this time 2–5 (including losses to some of the worst teams in football at the time – the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland Raiders, the Seattle Seahawks and the St. Louis Rams). The losses were due to turnovers & mental mistakes by young players on special teams allowing blocked punts & kick/punt return touchdowns. The loss to Oakland ended their 13-game winning streak against the Raiders since their last loss on September 28, 2003. The Chargers then went on another second half run with four straight wins but this time instead of keeping the streak going the entire second half they had a big let down losing at home to the Raiders again, this time 28–13 (ending their shared NFL record, with the Dolphins, of 18 straight wins in December). Despite the loss, they still had a chance to win their 5th straight AFC West title, tying the Raiders, but they had another bad loss at the Bengals 34–20 ending their chances. The Chargers beat Denver to end the season with a 9–7 record & out of the playoffs for the first time since 2005. They finished the season as the 8th team in NFL history to rank #1 in overall offense (395.6 yards/game), and overall defense (271.6 yards/game), and became only the 2nd of those teams to not make the playoffs (1953 Eagles 7–4–1). They were second to the Colts in passing yards per game (282.4), second to the Patriots in points scored per game (27.6), 1st in passing yards allowed per game (177.8), 4th in rushing yards allowed per game (93.8), and tied for 2nd in sacks (47). On the negative stat sheet, they gave up the most punt return yards per game (18.9) & had 29 turnovers. Philip Rivers had another great season with a career-high 4,710 yards (#1 in the NFL), 294 yards passing per game (tied for 1st with Manning), 66% completion pct. (third to Brees & Manning), 30 TD’s, only 13 INT’s & a 101.8 passer rating (second to Brady). Mike Tolbert 11 rushing TD’s & Antonio Gates 10 receiving TD’s were among the league leaders in TD’s scored. On defense, Shaun Phillips’ 11 sacks were in the top 10. With the special teams failure of the 2010 season campaign, the Chargers hoped to rebound with a strong performance to start the season, and a way to overcome slow starts. The Chargers started off the 2011 season with a 4–1 campaign, with their only loss to the New England Patriots. From that point on, however, the Chargers began a six-game skid with losses to the Jets, Chiefs, Packers, Raiders, Bears, and Broncos, with the first four by only a score and against Denver in overtime. Injuries to both the offensive and the defensive line hit the Chargers hard. But finally on December 5, 2011, the Chargers got their first win in over a month against the Jacksonville Jaguars, beating the also-struggling team. The Chargers then began a three-game winning streak most notably beating the Ravens by more than any team has beat them that season. However, the Chargers were beaten, 38–10, by the Detroit Lions to drop their record to 7–8 and eliminate the possibility of being in the playoffs. After a 38–26 victory over the Raiders in week 17, the Chargers finished at 8–8 and in a numerical tie for first place in the AFC West along with Oakland and Denver. However, the Chargers were beaten out by Denver for the Division Title via tie-breaker. After missing the playoffs for the third straight season in 2012, the Chargers fired general manager Smith and head coach Turner. 2013–2016: Mike McCoy era and final years in San Diego The Chargers made offseason changes including a new General Manager, Tom Telesco, and head coach, Mike McCoy, the former offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. On January 9, 2013, the Chargers announced that Tom Telesco, former Vice President of Football Operations with the Indianapolis Colts, would take over as General Manager following the firing of A. J. Smith. On January 15, 2013, Broncos offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, was hired as the new head coach and Ken Whisenhunt as offensive coordinator. The San Diego Chargers selected D. J. Fluker, Manti Te’o, and Keenan Allen in the first three rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Chargers finished the 2013 season 9-7 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2009. They entered the playoffs as the sixth seed. On January 5, 2014, the Chargers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium (27-10) to advance to the AFC Divisional Playoff Round. The Chargers then lost to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High the following Sunday, January 12, 2014 (24-17). The San Diego Chargers selected Jason Verrett, Jeremiah Attaochu, and Chris Watt in the first three rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft. After starting the season strongly, including a five-win run in September and October, the Chargers were beset by a string of injuries to key players, and eventually finished the season at 9-7. In contrast to 2013, the record was not enough to make the playoffs. The Chargers began the season 5–1, winning five straight after losing their season opener. It was followed by a three-game losing streak, and they finished 4–4 in the second half. They won just two of their final five games, coming back from double-digit fourth quarter deficits twice to remain in playoff contention. They lost the final game of the season when a win would have secured a playoff berth. In three of their last four games, and five of their last eight, the Chargers did not score more than one touchdown. Compared to 2013, the offense dropped in points (from 12th in the league to 17th), yards (5th to 18th), first downs (3rd to 15th), net yards per pass (2nd to 8th), rushing yards (13th to 30) and yards per rush (21st to 31st). It was the second time in three years the team finished second-to-last in yards per carry. San Diego was just 2–4 against teams in their division in the AFC West, and were swept by both the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. It was their worst intradivision record since they were 1–5 in 2003. The Chargers were only 3–6 against teams with winning records. They matched their 9–7 record from 2013, but missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. During the season, the Chargers, the St. Louis Rams, and the Oakland Raiders all intimated they might apply for relocation to Los Angeles at the end of the season. The Chargers announced in December 2014 that they would not be seeking to relocate for the 2015 season, followed by an announcement from the NFL that no team would relocate to L.A. until the 2016 season at the earliest. Controversy filled the 2015 offseason, as attorney and team spokesperson Mark Fabiani continually bashed the local San Diego city government’s efforts to negotiate a replacement for Qualcomm Stadium. When then-St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke announced in January 2015 his intention to build a new stadium in Inglewood, California, the Chargers felt pressured to announce their own Los Angeles plan to preserve what they claimed was “25 percent of their fan base” in the affluent Los Angeles and Orange County areas. In February 2015, the team announced a stadium proposal in Carson, California, in partnership with the Oakland Raiders, their AFC West divisional rivals. In the 2015 NFL draft, the Chargers selected Melvin Gordon, Denzel Perryman, and Craig Mager in the first three rounds. The season started off with a win against the Detroit Lions at home. The Chargers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings on the road before defeating the Cleveland Browns on a last second field goal. Following their 2–2 start, the Chargers lost their next six games, dropping to 2–8. In their six straight losses, they lost heart breakers to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears, as well as sound defeats by both, division rivals, the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. They finally broke their losing streak by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road, bringing their record to 3–8, in last place in the AFC West and 3rd worst in the American Football Conference (one game ahead of both the Browns and the Tennessee Titans). They are also tied for the third worst record in the National Football League. They then proceeded to beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 14 winning 30–14. They finished the season 4–12. The day following the conclusion of the 2015 regular season, the Chargers, Rams, and Raiders all filed to relocate to Los Angeles. On January 12, 2016, the NFL owners voted 30–2 to allow the Rams to return to Los Angeles and approved the Inglewood stadium project over the Carson project. The Chargers were given a one-year approval to relocate, conditioned on negotiating a lease agreement with the Rams or an agreement to partner with the Rams on the new stadium construction. On January 14, 2016, the team filed paperwork for official trademark protection of the term “Los Angeles Chargers” for the purposes of running and marketing a professional football franchise. Later in January, the Chargers submitted to the City of Santa Ana grading and landscape plans for a five-acre parcel of land in the city that could be used as the location of interim headquarters and training facilities “in the event the team exercises its option to relocate to the Los Angeles area.” After two weeks of negotiation, the Chargers and Rams came to an agreement in principle on sharing the planned Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park on January 29, 2016. The Chargers would contribute a $200 million stadium loan from the NFL and personal seat license fees to the construction costs and would pay $1 per year in rent to the Rams. save our bolts 300x225 - Chargers History Chargers fans rally around, basically begging for a stadium solution. As an incentive to work out a stadium deal in their current market, the NFL pledged $100 million to the Chargers if they come to an agreement with the city of San Diego. While the team had until March 2016 to decide if they would relocate to Los Angeles for the 2016 season, Chargers chairman/CEO Dean Spanos announced on January 29, 2016, that the team would remain in San Diego for the season. The announcement stated that the team would also be working over the year with government and business leaders on a new stadium proposal that could keep the team in San Diego long-term. The Chargers had continued preliminary work on a ballot initiative for public approval on a new facility. On February 23, 2016, the Chargers announced that their stadium efforts would be focused on a stadium in East Village, Downtown San Diego. On March 30, 2016, it was reported in the media that the details of the downtown stadium proposal were unveiled the stadium would be financed from $650 million from the team and the NFL, with a tax hike of $1.15 billion in bonds including $350 million city contribution, $600 million for the convention center, and $200 million to acquire land. On April 21, 2016, rendering of the proposed downtown stadium were unveiled by the Chargers and on April 23, 2016, the downtown stadium initiative signature collecting was launched with Roger Goodell, Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Mike McCoy, and Dean Spanos. On June 10, 2016, the Chargers announced that they had collected 110,786 signatures for the downtown stadium initiative 1 month later on July 9, 2016, San Diego City Clerk Liz Malland announced that the downtown Chargers stadium initiative had secured enough valid signatures to be put on the November 2016 ballot. On July 18, 2016, the San Diego City Council voted 8–0 to put the Chargers stadium plan and the Citizens Plan on the November ballot. On July 28, 2016, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce announced its support of the Chargers downtown stadium proposal. On October 3, 2016, Mayor Kevin Faulconer officially announced his support of the Chargers stadium plan. On November 8, 2016, Measure C was voted down (57% opposed over 43% in support). On December 14, 2016, at an owners’ meeting, the terms of the Chargers and Rams lease agreement, as well as the team’s debt ceiling were approved thus taking the first steps for a possible relocation to Los Angeles in 2017. On December 23, 2016, the Chargers agreed to lease part of a Costa Mesa office campus for offices, practice fields, and training facility on nearly 3.2 acres. 2017–present: Relocation to Los Angeles Spanos announced the relocation in a letter to Chargers fans posted to the team’s official site on January 12, 2017. Revealing a new marketing logo with the announcement, the team will play as the Los Angeles Chargers starting in the 2017 season at StubHub Center in Carson, California, despite the fact that the stadium seats well below the 50,000 minimum that the NFL set even for temporary homes following the 1970 merger. There had been speculation that the team may rebrand itself similar to how the Houston Oilers ultimately became the Tennessee Titans in 1999. Unlike the situation between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, the Oilers’ rebranding was done by the team’s choice and not by court order. The Chargers, however, announced they had no immediate plans to rebrand after the relocation. On January 13, the Chargers fired defensive coordinator John Pagano. Logo and uniforms 150px ChargersAFLLogo - Chargers History Chargers’ AFL logo 1966–1969 150px San Diego Chargers logo - Chargers History Chargers’ AFL logo 200px AFC Throwback Uniform SD - Chargers History San Diego Chargers uniform: 1992–2006. During most seasons, the Chargers’ road uniforms included white socks with navy blue stripes. 200px AFC Throwback2 Uniform SD - Chargers History Throwback uniforms worn in 1994 (NFL 75th anniversary) and 2009 (AFL 50th anniversary); powder blue throwback was also used in 2000 for Chargers’ 40th anniversary and as an alternate uniform from 2002 to 2006. Except for color changes, the Chargers have basically used the logo of an arc-shaped lightning bolt since the team debuted in 1960. During its period in the AFL, the club also used a shield logo that featured a horsehead, a lightning bolt, and the word “Chargers”. From 1960 to 1973, the colors consisted of various shades of Electric blue (“powder” blue, but technically called Collegiate blue) or white jerseys, both with gold lightning bolts on the shoulders. The helmets were white and had both the arc-shaped lightning bolt logo, in gold or navy depending on the year, and the player’s number. At first, the team wore white pants before switching to gold in 1966. In 1974, the sky blue was changed to dark royal blue. The helmet was also changed to dark blue and the players’ numbers were removed. Additionally, the face masks became yellow, thus making them one of the first teams in the NFL (with the Kansas City Chiefs) to use a facemask color other than the then-predominant grey. From 1978 through 1983, the Chargers wore their white jerseys at home, coinciding with the hiring of coach Don Coryell – when Joe Gibbs, a Coryell assistant in 1979–80, became head coach of the Washington Redskins in 1981, he did the same, and white at home became a Redskins staple through 2007 – but Coryell switched the Chargers to their blue jerseys at home starting in 1984. With the exception of the 1991 season and other sporadic home games since, San Diego wears its blue jerseys at home. In 1985, the Chargers started using navy blue jerseys and returned to wearing white pants. The team’s uniform design was next revamped in 1988. It featured an even darker shade of navy blue. The lightning bolts on the jerseys and helmets were white, with navy interior trim and gold outlining. In 1990, the team started to wear navy pants with their white jerseys. From 1988 to 1991, the team displayed stripes down the pants rather than lightning bolts. The Chargers went with all-white combinations in 1997 and 2001, only to have the blue pants make a comeback. On October 27, 2003, the Chargers wore their navy pants with their navy jersey for a Monday Night Football game versus the Miami Dolphins that was played at Sun Devil Stadium, then the home of the Arizona Cardinals, due to wildfires in southern California. This remains the only game in which the Chargers have worn the all-dark combination. From the late 1980s to 2000, the Chargers wore white at home during some preseason games and dark for regular season games. In 2001, the Chargers started wearing their dark uniforms for preseason games and white uniforms in September home games due to the heat before switching back to dark in October. In March 2007, the Chargers unveiled their first uniform redesign since 1988, on the team’s official website. The team formally unveiled this new uniform set, which mixes old and new styles, in a private team-only event. Navy blue remains the primary color on the home jersey, but the familiar lightning bolt was reverted to gold, and now has navy outlining and powder blue interior trim. The latter color is a nod to the 1960s uniforms. The redesigned lightning bolt was moved to the sides of the shoulders from the top, and includes a new numbering font and word mark in white, with gold outlining and powder blue interior trim. The pants also have a redesigned lightning bolt in gold, with powder blue trim on a navy stripe. Additionally, the team pays tribute to other uniform features from their history by wearing a metallic white helmet, with a navy face mask, the newly revamped bolt in gold with navy and powder blue trim, and white pants. The road white jerseys with navy pants, as well as the alternate powder blue jerseys with white pants, were also redesigned with the new scheme. From 2002 to 2006, the Chargers used the early-1960s powder blue uniforms as alternate jerseys, which many football fans (both of the Chargers and of other teams) clamored for the team to bring back full-time. Since 2007, the Chargers have worn the alternate powder blue jerseys twice per season. The alternate powder blue jerseys have also been worn in a playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts (2008 playoffs). In 2009, in honor of their 50th anniversary as one of the eight original AFL teams, the Chargers wore their 1963 throwback uniforms for three games. For the 2013 season, the Chargers made minor tweaks to their current uniforms. These include a two-tone nameplate (gold with powder blue trim on home jersey, navy with gold trim on away jersey, and white with navy trim on alternate jersey), collars matching the color of the jersey, and the addition of a gold stripe on the socks. The Chargers wear their white jerseys for home games early in the regular season due to higher summer temperatures. Chronologigal Timeline of the Los Angeles Chargers: 1959 Aug. 14 First meeting of proposed football league is held in Chicago with representatives of six teams, including Los Angeles entry headed by Barron Hilton. Aug. 22 Second meeting is held in Dallas with announcement that league will be known as “American Football League.” Oct. 14 Frank Leahy, former Notre Dame University football coach, is named general manager of Los Angeles team. Oct. 28 Gerald Courtney of Hollywood wins expenses-paid trip to Mexico City and Acapulco for submitting “Chargers” in name-the-team contest. 1960 Jan. 7 Sid Gillman, former coach of NFL Los Angeles Rams, signs three-year contract as head coach of Chargers. March 20 Owner Barron Hilton unveils Chargers uniforms, blue and gold with lightning bolts on sides of helmets and trousers, at cocktail party at Hilton’s Santa Monica residence; players Jack Kemp and Ron Mix model uniforms. April 9-12 A total of 207 candidates is reduced to three who are invited back to summer training camp after four-day tryout camp in Burbank. June 9 AFL teams sign five-year contract with American Broadcasting Company for televising selected games. July 1 General manager Frank Leahy resigns because of poor health. July 8 Chargers open training camp at Chapman College, Orange, 30 miles Southeast of Los Angeles. July 9 Sid Gillman assumes dual role of coach and general manager. Aug. 6 Paul Lowe returns opening kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown as Chargers defeat New York Titans 27-7 before 27,778 in Los Angeles Coliseum in first preseason game. Sept. 10 The Chargers overcome 20-7 deficit in fourth quarter to defeat Dallas 21-20 before 17,724 persons in Coliseum in opening league game. Dec. 10 A crowd of 9,928 in Coliseum watches Chargers top Denver 41-33 to clinch AFL Western Division title. Dec. 23 Hilton says he will accept invitation to visit San Diego regarding a possible move of Chargers from Los Angeles. 1961 Jan. 1 A crowd of 32,183 in Jeppesen Stadium and a national television audience sees host Houston defeat Chargers 24-16 for AFL championship. Jan. 6 Civic leaders form Greater San Diego Sports Association to attract major-league sports following Hilton’s visit. Feb. 10 AFL gives Hilton formal approval to move Chargers to San Diego. May 1 Workers begin enlarging the Chargers future home, Balboa Stadium, which will add an upper deck and increase capacity from 23,000 to 34,000. July 22 The Chargers open training camp at University of San Diego. Aug. 6 Balboa Stadium is reminiscent of ancient Roman ruins as Chargers defeat Houston 27-14 on a 93-degree afternoon before paid crowd of 12,304 (total attendance estimated at 15,000) in first preseason game. Nov. 19 Chargers defeat Dallas 24-14 to clinch AFL West title with five games remaining; Charlie McNeil makes club’s forty-third pass interception, a professional record. Dec.17 The Chargers lose to Boston 41-0 in Balboa Stadium, but Dick Harris intercepts Babe Parilli’s pass to Gino Cappelletti, the Chargers 49th interception of the season, setting a new NFL record. Dec. 24 Houston defeats Chargers 10-3 before 29,556 persons in Balboa Stadium to win second AFL championship. 1962 Jan. 7 West defeats East 47-27 in Balboa Stadium in first AFL All-Star game, featuring Chargers coaches and 11 players. July 16 Chargers open training camp at USD. Dec. 16 A 26-17 loss to Dallas marks the end of a 4-10 season for the Chargers, who saw 23 players miss at least two games with injuries. 1963 Jan. 13 Chargers Earl Faison is named outstanding defensive player as West defeats East 21-14 in AFL All-Star game before 27,641 persons in Balboa Stadium. April 30 Barron Hilton and his father, Conrad, sell one-third of their interest in the Chargers to San Diego businessmen John Mabee, George Pernicano, Kenneth Swanson, James Copley, and M.L. Bengston of Los Angeles. July 10 The Chargers open their training camp at Rough Acres Ranch, located near Boulevard, a hamlet of 100 persons in the mountains of east San Diego County, 60 miles from the city. Dec. 22 Eight Chargers score and Paul Lowe rushes for 183 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries as the Chargers clinch AFL West title with 58-20 victory over Denver; season ended week later than scheduled after AFL postponed games weekend following Nov. 22 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. 1964 Jan. 5 Keith Lincoln accounts for 349 yards of total offense as Chargers win AFL championship, defeating Boston 51-10, before 30,127 persons in Balboa Stadium. Jan. 19 Lincoln is named MVP after gaining 121 yards in 14 carries as West defeats East 27-14 in front of 20,016 persons in AFL All-Star game in Balboa Stadium. Jan. 29 AFL teams sign a five-year television contract with National Broadcasting Company for a record $36 million; the contract will commence with the 1965 season. July 15 The Chargers open training camp at the TraveLodge in Escondido. Oct. 3 The Chargers and New York Jets tied 17-17 before a record AFL crowd of 50,222 fans, 46,828 paid in New York’s Shea Stadium. Nov. 26 A Balboa Stadium attendance record of 34,865 is set as Buffalo defeats San Diego 27-24 on Thanksgiving Day. Dec. 6 The Chargers defeat the Jets 38-3 before 25,753 persons in Balboa Stadium to clinch their fourth AFL West title in five years. Dec. 26 With wide receiver Lance Alworth out of the game with a knee injury and fullback Keith Lincoln sidelined in the first quarter with a fractured rib, the Chargers are beaten 20-7 in Buffalo for the AFL championship. 1965 Jan. 16 Fullback Keith Lincoln runs 80 yards for one touchdown and combines on a 73-yard pass play for a touchdown as the West defeats the East 38-14 in the AFL All-Star game before 15,446 persons at Houston’s Jeppesen Stadium. The game, originally moved from San Diego to New Orleans, was switched to Houston on one day’s notice after black players experienced mistreatment in New Orleans. April 27 The San Diego City Council endorses construction of a multipurpose stadium in Mission Valley and drops idea of a floating stadium in Mission Bay. May 17 The City Council approves expenditure of $750,000 for architectural and engineering drawings of a 50,000-seat stadium at the southwest corner of Friars Road and Murphy Canyon Road in Mission Valley. July 14 The Chargers open training camp in Escondido. Nov. 2 Construction of a $27 million San Diego Stadium is authorized by a 73 percent “yes” vote by San Diego citizens. Dec. 12 San Diego wins fifth AFL West title in six years by defeating Houston 37-26. Dec. 23 Paul Lowe and Lance Alworth finish 1-2 in balloting by players for AFL player of the year. Dec. 24 Groundbreaking ceremonies are conducted for San Diego Stadium. Dec. 26 Buffalo defeats the Chargers 23-0 in front of 30,361 persons in Balboa Stadium for the AFL championship; a new automobile, the “Charger,” is introduced by Chrysler officials at halftime. 1966 Jan. 15 The AFL All-Stars beat the Buffalo Bills, 30-19, as Lance Alworth catches two touchdown passes and Chargers linebacker Frank Buncom is defensive player of the game before a crowd of 35,572 in Houston’s Rice Stadium. Jan. 18 Tight end Dave Kocourek, guard Ernest Park, and defensive backs Dick Westmoreland and Jimmy Warren are selected from San Diego by Miami in the allocation draft to stock the new AFL franchise during league meeting in Houston. June 8 AFL and National Football League teams announce plans to merge in the 1970 season and Chargers and Los Angeles Rams announce they will play three preseason games in San Diego Stadium, beginning in 1967. July 8 The Chargers report to training camp in Escondido. Aug. 25 Eugene V. Klein of Beverly Hills heads a group of 21 business executives who purchase the Chargers for $10 million, a record transaction in professional football. 1967 July 10 The Chargers report to their Escondido training camp. Aug. 20 San Diego Stadium is dedicated before a crowd of 45,988; Detroit defeats the Chargers 38-17 in San Diego’s first meeting with an NFL team. Oct. 15 Leslie “Speedy” Duncan has 203 yards in returns, 35 on a fumble recovery for a touchdown, 68 on four kickoff returns, and 100 for a touchdown on the longest interception return in AFL history as the Chargers defeat Kansas City 45-31 in a game in which the teams combine for 897 yards total offense and 622 in returns. Dec. 3 The Chargers are beaten by Oakland 41-21 before the first sellout crowd in the Stadium, 52,661 persons, and 2,018 persons also watched the game on closed-circuit television in the San Diego Sports Arena. 1968 July 5 The Chargers open training camp in Escondido. Aug. 3 The Chargers open the preseason at home and score their first victory over an NFL team, defeating San Francisco 30-18 before 39,553 in San Diego Stadium. Nov. 24 Leslie (Speedy) Duncan sets an AFL record with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 37-15 loss to the New York Jets in San Diego Stadium. 1969 July 11 The Chargers open training camp at the University of California at Irvine, 85 miles north of San Diego. Sept. 28 The Chargers defeat the defending Super Bowl III champion New York Jets before a record San Diego Stadium crowd of 54,042. Nov. 14 Offensive backfield coach Charlie Waller is named head coach following the resignation of Sid Gillman, who is suffering from stomach ulcer and chest hernia. Gillman continues as general manager. Dec. 14 Lance Alworth sets a professional record with a pass reception in his 96th consecutive game; the Chargers finish with an 8-6 record and a 45-6 victory over Buffalo. Lance Alworth sets a professional record with a pass reception in his 96th consecutive game; the Chargers finish with an 8-6 record and a 45-6 victory over Buffalo. 1970 Jan. 17 John Hadl completes 18 of 26 passes for 224 yards and 1 touchdown and leads the West to a 26-3 victory over the East in the final AFL All-Star game before 30,170 persons in the Houston Astrodome. July 15 The Chargers open training camp at the University of California at Irvine. Sept. 27 Smoke and ashes from a huge fire in San Diego’s east county darken the skies over San Diego Stadium as John Hadl hurls touchdowns of 65 yards to Jeff Queen and 37 yards to Lance Alworth in the final 5:18 of play, giving the Chargers a 27-27 tie with Oakland. Dec. 30 Sid Gillman returns as head coach and Charlie Waller becomes offense coach in staff reorganization announced by President Gene Klein. 1971 Feb. 13 Harland Svare named general manager. May 19 The Chargers trade wide receiver Lance Alworth to Dallas for tight end Pettis Norman, tackle Tony Liscio and defensive tackle Ron East. July 10 Summer training camp opens at UC Irvine. Nov. 15 Dennis Partee’s 45-yard field goal at the gun lifts the Chargers to a 20-17, Monday Night victory over St. Louis. Nov. 22 After a 34-33 loss at Oakland, leaving San Diego with a 4-6 record, coach Sid Gillman resigns and is replaced on an interim basis by general manager Harland Svare. Dec. 19 Svare is named head coach in a locker room press conference following a season-ending, 49-33 loss at Houston. 1972 Jan. 18 John Hadl is named National Football League “Man of the Year” in balloting for top citizen-athlete of 1971; a $25,000 scholarship fund in Hadl’s name will benefit San Diego students. March 28 Former Chargers great Lance Alworth is inducted into San Diego Hall of Fame at the Balboa Park Hall of Champions. July 12 The Chargers report to Irvine training camp in Irvine. Sept. 5 The Chargers trade defensive tackle George Wright to Cleveland for a 1973 fifth-round draft choice, climaxing a 221-day period in which general manager-coach Harland Svare consummates 21 trades, an NFL record. Dec. 3 The Chargers outgain Oakland 440 yards to 298 and Mike Garrett rushes for 145 yards in 28 carries but lose 21-19 before a record San Diego Stadium crowd of 54,611. 1973 Jan. 22 The Chargers obtain future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas from Baltimore. Jan. 25 In the second stage of the Unitas acquisition, the Chargers trade quarterback John Hadl to Los Angeles for defensive end Lander McCoy Bacon and running back Bob Thomas. July 11 The Chargers begin training camp at UC Irvine. Sept. 30 Unitas’ 30-yard pass to Mike Garrett against Cincinnati in San Diego makes Unitas the first quarterback to pass for more than 40,000 yards. Nov. 5 Harland Svare remains as general manager after resigning as head coach; Ron Waller appointed interim head coach. 1974 Jan. 8 Tommy Prothro is named the fifth head coach of the Chargers by President Gene Klein. Jan. 29 Prothro’s first significant trade sends Walt Sweeney, 32-year-old former all-pro guard who played in 154 consecutive games for the Chargers, to Washington for a draft choice. July 3 The Chargers open training camp at a new base, U.S. International University, nine miles north of San Diego Stadium. Sept. 29 Rookie Don Woods, claimed on waivers 12 days before from Green Bay, rushes for 157 yards in 18 carries and scores on a 56-yard run, but defending Super Bowl VIII champion Miami scores 21 points in the final 11 minutes for a 28-21 victory. Dec. 15 Don Woods rushes for 105 yards to set a team and NFL rookie one-season record of 1,162 yards; the Chargers 17-0 victory over Denver represents their first shutout in 105 games. 1975 Jan. 2 Don Woods is named NFL rookie of the year. Feb. 6 John Sanders is named assistant to the President. March 10 Former Chargers tackle Ron Mix is inducted into San Diego Hall of Fame. June 17 Paul “Tank” Younger is named assistant general manager. July 8 The Chargers open training camp at USIU. Oct. 12 Tom Dempsey’s 27-yard field goal after 9:27 of overtime gives Los Angeles a 13-10 victory over the Chargers. Dec. 7 The Chargers end an 11-game losing streak by defeating Kansas City 28-20. 1976 Feb. 16 John Sanders is named general manager following Jan. 20 resignation of Harland Svare. July 5 The Chargers make the University of California at San Diego the sixth summer training base in club history. Aug. 8 San Diego defeats New England 27-17 in Norman, Oklahoma, the beginning of a 15-day odyssey. Aug. 15 A crowd of 38,000 watches the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the Chargers 20-10 in Tokyo’s Korakuen Stadium. Aug. 21 The Chargers complete their international trip with a 17-16 loss to San Francisco in Honolulu. Sept. 28 The Chargers explode for 27 points in the second quarter and demolish St. Louis 43-24 for a 3-0 start, their best since 1968. Oct. 17 The Chargers invite many of their former players to an alumni weekend in San Diego and celebrate the occasion with a 30-27 victory over Houston; the late Frank Buncom, Bob Laraba, Emil Karas and Jacque MacKinnon are made honorary members of the new Chargers’ Hall of Fame. 1977 July 15 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Oct. 30 Rolf Benirschke’s point after touchdown with time elapsed, after James Harris’s five-yard touchdown run on fourth down, gives Chargers 14-13 win at Miami. Nov. 13 Lance Alworth, who starred for the Chargers from 1962-70, becomes the first member of Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of Chargers game with Denver. Nov. 20 With quarterbacks James Harris and Bill Munson sidelined with injuries and with Dan Fouts not having reported, the Chargers beat defending Super Bowl XI champion Oakland 12-7 behind rookie quarterback Cliff Olander before 50,887 in San Diego Stadium. 1978 Jan. 23 Lance Alworth becomes the first player from the American Football League to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, during halftime of the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl in Tampa. July 12 The Chargers training camp begins at UCSD. Sept. 25 Don Coryell is named the sixth head coach of the Chargers by President Gene Klein after Tommy Prothro resigns. Oct. 8 The Chargers control the ball for 45 minutes, 17 seconds, and defeat Denver 23-0 for Coryell’s first victory. Nov. 5 Ron Mix is inducted into the Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of the Cincinnati game. Nov. 12 Dan Fouts’ 14-yard pass to John Jefferson with no time remaining gives the Chargers a 29-23 victory in overtime over Kansas City. 1979 Jan. 29 Ron Mix becomes the second AFL player and second Charger to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, during halftime of the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. May 3 The Chargers trade their 20th and 47th picks in the NFL draft for Cleveland’s 13th choice, with which San Diego chooses tight end Kellen Winslow, University of Missouri. July 16 Training camp opens at UCSD. Oct. 21 Quarterback Dan Fouts’ 326 yards passing in 40-16 victory at Los Angeles ties NFL record for consecutive 300-yard passing games. Oct. 25 Fouts sets an NFL record with his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game, throwing for 303 yards at Oakland. Nov. 18 Running back Paul Lowe is inducted into the Chargers’ Hall of Fame during halftime ceremonies of the Pittsburgh game. Dec. 11 The Chargers clinch their first playoff berth in 14 years, scoring all points in the first half of a 35-0 victory at New Orleans. Dec. 17 The Chargers defeat Denver 17-7 for their first division title since 1965 before 51,910 in San Diego Stadium and a national Monday Night Football television audience. 1980 Jan. 14 John Sanders, general manager of the Chargers, is named NFL executive of the year in balloting of other NFL executives by The Sporting News. Jan. 27 Head coach Don Coryell and his staff and players Russ Washington, Dan Fouts, Gary Johnson, Fred Dean, John Jefferson, Charlie Joiner and Ed White represent the Chargers on AFC team in Pro Bowl at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium. July 11 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Sept. 14 Dan Fouts’ 24-yard touchdown pass to John Jefferson gives the Chargers a 30-24 victory over Oakland in overtime before 51,943 persons in San Diego Stadium. Sept. 28 The Chargers win their fourth game in a row against AFC West competition, defeating Kansas City 24-7 in Arrowhead Stadium. The 4-0 record is the Chargers’ best at the beginning of the season since 1966. Oct. 19 Dan Fouts sets a club record with 444 yards passing and Chargers 44-7 victory over the N.Y. Giants is most one-sided by a San Diego team since 1969. Nov. 30 Running back Keith Lincoln and Barron Hilton are inducted into the Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of the Philadelphia game. Dec. 22 Kellen Winslow catches 10 passes for 171 yards and Chargers clinch second straight AFC West title by defeating Pittsburgh 26-17 before 51,785 persons in San Diego Stadium and a national Monday night television audience. San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson announces that the stadium will be renamed San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium in honor of Jack Murphy, late sports editor of The San Diego Union. 1981 Feb. 1 Eight Chargers are on the AFC Pro Bowl squad and, for the first time in Pro Bowl history, three defensive linemen from the same team, Gary Johnson, Louie Kelcher and Fred Dean, are in the starting lineup. July 17 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Sept. 7 Dan Fouts passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns, Chuck Muncie rushes for 161 yards, and Charlie Joiner catches six passes for 191 yards as the Chargers rout Cleveland 44-14 before 78,904 fans in Cleveland in the season opener on Monday Night Football. Oct. 25 John Roveto’s 26-yard field goal after 9:30 of overtime gives Chicago a 20-17 victory over the Chargers in Soldier Field. Nov. 22 Dan Fouts passes for six touchdowns, including four to Kellen Winslow, who also catches a fifth from Chuck Muncie, in 55-21 win at Oakland. Nov. 29 Ernie Ladd and Walt Sweeney, stars of the sixties, are inducted into the Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of the Denver game. Dec. 21 The Chargers clinch their third straight AFC West championship on the final Monday night of the season, defeating Oakland 23-10. 1982 Jan. 2 Rolf Benirschke’s 27-yard field goal after 13:52 of overtime gives the Chargers a dramatic, 41-38 victory over Miami in the Orange Bowl in one of the epic games in NFL history. Jan. 10 After playing in perhaps the greatest game, the Chargers lose the AFC Championship on the coldest; the temperature is nine degrees below zero and wind-chill factor is 59 below as Cincinnati beats the Chargers 27-7 in Cincinnati. July 24 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Sept. 12 Rolf Benirschke kicks three field goals and the Chargers’ defense didn’t allow a touchdown, first time since Dec. 9, 1979, as San Diego wins season opener, 23-3 in Denver. Sept. 21 NFL Players Association walks out on strike. Nov. 16 Management Council and NFL Players Association reach agreement after missing eight weeks of season. Nov. 22 Raiders beat San Diego in Los Angeles, 28-24 on opening Monday night after strike; Chargers held 24-0 lead in second quarter. Dec. 11 Dan Fouts ties club records with 444 yards passing and 33 completions and Chargers have three receivers with more than 100 yards receiving as San Diego beats Super Bowl XVI champion San Francisco, 41-37. Dec. 20 The Chargers set four team records, including one for 661 total yards, while defeating defending AFC Conference champion Cincinnati, 50-34. 1983 Jan. 9 Chuck Muncie runs for 126 yards on 25 carries, his third straight 100-yard performance, and Dan Fouts throws for 333 yards as Chargers win opening-round playoff game in Pittsburgh, 31-28. Jan. 16 Miami picks off five Dan Fouts’ passes and hold the visitors scoreless in the second half, defeating San Diego in second round, 34-13. April 11 The Chargers sign 20-year lease with City of San Diego to play their games in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. Lease contains terms to expand stadium to 60,100 seats. April 26 San Diego uses three number one draft choices to select Billy Ray Smith, Gary Anderson and Gill Byrd. July 16 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Oct. 2 Dan Fouts injures throwing shoulder in Chargers 41-34 victory at New York Giants. Chargers improved record to 2-3 after worst start since 1978 and Fouts plays next two weeks before missing six games during year due to injury. Oct. 10 Construction begins on San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium to expand seating capacity to 60,100. Nov. 27 Quarterback John Hadl was inducted into Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of Denver game. Dec. 11 Kellen Winslow catches 14 passes versus Kansas City to set club record. 1984 Jan. 16 Rolf Benirschke is named NFL/Miller Man of the Year. May 1 Construction concludes expansion of San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium to seating capacity of 60,100. May 24 NFL announces San Diego will host Super Bowl XXII, Jan. 31, 1988. June 5 The Chargers draft DE Lee Williams in first round of supplemental draft of non-NFL professionals. July 14 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Aug. 1 Alex G. Spanos purchases majority interest in Chargers from Eugene V. Klein. Spanos, of Stockton, Calif., is one of America’s leading apartment complex builders. Aug. 28 Spanos is officially approved as majority owner of Chargers by vote of NFL owners. “I’m on cloud nine,” said Spanos. “This is the culmination of a dream, a lifelong dream. I’m a very happy man today.” Oct. 7 Kellen Winslow catches 15 passes at Green Bay to set club record. Oct. 29 Linebacker Chuck Allen is inducted into Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of Seattle game. Nov. 25 Wide receiver Charlie Joiner sets NFL record with his 650th pass reception in fourth quarter of game at Pittsburgh. Dec. 11 Charlie Joiner Day in San Diego is declared by Mayor Roger Hedgecock. 1985 May 10 The Chargers have 107 players at Mini Camp, a club record. July 20 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Nov. 3 Wide receiver Gary Garrison and head coach Sid Gillman are inducted into the Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of game with Denver Broncos. Nov. 10 Lionel James gains 345 all-purpose yards in 40-34 overtime victory versus Los Angeles Raiders, second in NFL history behind 373 yards by Houston’s Billy Cannon Dec. 10, 1961, at New York. James caught 11 passes and scored winning touchdown with 17-yard run. Nov. 17 Gary Anderson returns opening kickoff at Denver 98 yards for touchdown, the second kickoff return for touchdown in club history. Keith Lincoln went 103 yards Sept. 16, 1962, versus the New York Titans. Dec. 22 Guard Ed White sets NFL record by playing in 241 NFL games, most all-time among offensive linemen. Mark Herrmann also sets club records with 37 completions and 58 attempts at Kansas City while starting for injured Dan Fouts. Dec. 23 Head coach Don Coryell has his contract extended and receivers coach Al Saunders is promoted to assistant head coach. 1986 July 19 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Sept. 7 San Diego opens season with 500 yards total offense, 224 rushing and 276 passing, and a 50-28 victory over Miami. Oct. 26 Chargers lose seventh straight game, 23-7, at Philadelphia in Week 8. Oct. 29 Assistant head coach Al Saunders is named the seventh head coach in Chargers history following the resignation of Don Coryell. At age 39, Saunders is the youngest head coach in the NFL. Nov. 9 The 1-8 Chargers defeat the 8-1 Denver Broncos in Denver, 9-3, for Saunders’ first win as an NFL head coach. 1987 Jan. 6 Head coach Al Saunders signs a five-year contract. Jan. 12 Wide receiver Charlie Joiner retires with 750 receptions, most in NFL history, to become receivers coach of the Chargers. Jan. 27 Steve Ortmayer is named Director of Football Operations. July 25 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Sept. 22 NFL Players Association begins strike which lasts 24 days, causing cancellation of Week 3 games before replacement teams are fielded. Oct. 15 NFLPA strike ends. Oct. 18 “Re-Chargers” finish as one of NFL’s two undefeated (3-0) strike teams, winning all games in fourth quarter, culminating with 23-17 win over Raiders in Los Angeles, Chargers first win over Raiders in Coliseum. Nov. 15 San Diego’s 16-14 win over Raiders on national television gives Chargers eighth straight win and best record in NFL (8-1) and first sweep of Raiders since 1981. Dec. 27 Chargers finish with 8-7 record, first winning record since 1982, despite winding up with six straight losses and 24-0 loss in Denver blizzard. 1988 Jan. 31 San Diego hosts Super Bowl XXII in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium as Washington defeated Denver, 42-10. March 24 Quarterback Dan Fouts retires after 15-year career in which he set seven NFL records, 42 club records, and became the NFL’s second most-prolific passer of all time with 43,040 yards. July 13 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Sept. 18 Chargers end eight-game regular season losing streak with 17-6 win over Seattle, their first win against Seahawks since 1983. Nov. 27 Dan Fouts’ jersey number 14 is retired at halftime of “Dan Fouts Day” game in San Diego; Chargers lost to 49ers, 48-10. Dec. 18 Gary Anderson set club records with 34 rushing attempts and 217 yards in 24-13 win versus Kansas City. Dec. 19 Head coach Al Saunders is released. 1989 Feb. 9 Forty-six-year-old Dan Henning, the former Chargers quarterback, Redskins assistant, and Falcons head coach, is named the eighth head coach in Chargers history. July 22 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Dec. 17 Marion Butts sets a club record with 39 carries and a team rookie record with 176 yards in Chargers’ 20-13 win in Kansas City. Dec. 18 Director of Football Operations Steve Ortmayer is released. Dec. 24 The Chargers end the season with a 19-16 win over the eventual AFC Champion Denver Broncos marking 14th game in a row opponents were held to 20 points or less and the 13th of 1989 decided by seven points or less. 1990 Jan. 3 Bobby Beathard is named General Manager. Jan. 25 Dick Daniels is named Assistant General Manager. March 11 Former team president Eugene V. Klein dies. April 17 The Chargers announce the formation of a cheerleading dance team. July 21 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Oct. 28 Gill Byrd intercepts two passes versus Tampa Bay, the 29th and 30th of his career, to surpass Dick Harris for the most in team history. Dec. 16 Marion Butts gains 71 yards at Denver to set a new Chargers single-season rushing record with 1,225 yards. He surpasses Earnest Jackson’s 1,179 yards. A foot injury sidelines him for the rest of the season. 1991 Feb. 19 Ed White is inducted into the Breitbard Hall of Fame. April 5 Alex Spanos serves as National Chairman of the United Service Organization’s Golden Anniversary Salute Luncheon in Los Angeles and produces the USO’s most successful fundraising event in history. The event raises more than $4.5 million. July 15 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Oct. 6 The 0-5 Chargers defeat the 3-2 Raiders, 21-13, in the Coliseum for their first victory of 1991. It was San Diego’s first non-strike victory in the Coliseum since the Raiders moved to Los Angeles. Dec. 23 Head coach Dan Henning and 1991 coaching staff are released. 1992 Jan. 2 Former Georgia Tech head coach Bobby Ross is named the ninth head coach in Chargers history. July 15 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Aug. 13 The Chargers acquire quarterback Stan Humphries in trade with Washington Redskins. Nov. 1 San Diego sets NFL record by winning fourth straight game, defeating Indianapolis 34-14, after losing four in a row. Dec. 20 The Chargers clinch first playoff berth since 1983 with 36-14 win at Raiders and make history as only team to start 0-4 and make playoffs and have winning record. Dec. 27 The Chargers win AFC West title with 31-14 victory over Seattle in Kingdome. 1993 Jan. 2 Marion Butts runs for 119 yards and one touchdown and the offense gains 342 yards on a rain-soaked Jack Murphy Stadium field. The Chargers shut out Kansas City in the AFC Wild Card playoff game, 17-0. The Chargers’ defense sacked Chiefs quarterback Dave Krieg seven times and added two interceptions. Jan. 10 Miami intercepted Stan Humphries four times and held the visitors scoreless to defeat San Diego, 31-0, in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. July 15 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. Sept. 19 The Chargers induct quarterback Dan Fouts and wide receiver Charlie Joiner into the Chargers’ Hall of Fame. The ceremonies took place at halftime of the Chargers-Oilers game. The team also saluted all of its former players, including members from the 1963 championship team, as the game was designated Alumni Day. The same afternoon, John Carney connected on his 29th consecutive field goal, shattering the NFL record of 25 in a row set by Morten Andersen of New Orleans. Carney kicked six field goals for the second time in the season as the Chargers edged the Oilers, 18-17. Oct. 27 NFL owners met in suburban Chicago and awarded Super Bowl XXXII – scheduled for January 25, 1998 – to San Diego. Nov. 9 In recognition of Alex Spanos’ efforts to help bring Super Bowl XXXII to San Diego, Mayor Susan Golding proclaims Nov. 9, 1993, “Alex G. Spanos Day” in the City of San Diego. Nov. 29 The Chargers made their first appearance on ABC’s Monday Night Football since October 6, 1986, and defeat the Colts at the Hoosier Dome, 31-0. Dec. 12 Barron Hilton is honored before the Chargers-Packers game with a tribute and unveiling of a bronze sculpture of him to be on permanent display at Jack Murphy Stadium. Hilton was one of the founding members of the American Football League in 1959 and brought the Chargers to San Diego in 1961 to become the city’s first major league sports franchise. 1994 July 13 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD. July 30 The Chargers fell to the Atlanta Falcons, 21-17, in the team’s second appearance in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. Aug. 13 San Diego made its first appearance in an American Bowl game, losing to the New York Giants, 28-20, in Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany. The game concluded the longest road trip in team history, playing two games during the 10-day trip. Sept. 4 Stanley Richard returns an interception 99 yards for a touchdown to give San Diego a 27-24 lead at halftime on the way to a remarkable, 37-34, come-from-behind win in Denver to open the season. Sept. 18 Stan Humphries and Tony Martin combined on a 99-yard touchdown completion to tie an NFL record and help defeat the Seahawks in Husky Stadium, 27-10. Sept. 25 The Chargers defeated the Raiders in Los Angeles, 26-24, on a 33-yard John Carney field goal with two seconds remaining and improved their record to 4-0, the team’s best start since 1980. Oct. 16 San Diego remained the NFL’s only undefeated team (6-0) by winning on the road in New Orleans, 36-22. Dec. 18 The Chargers clinched the AFC Western Division title with a 21-6 win over the N.Y. Jets in Giants Stadium. 1995 Jan. 8 The Chargers advanced to the AFC Championship game with a 22-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins in front of a record home crowd of 63,381. San Diego recovered from a 21-6, third- quarter deficit. Jan. 15 The Chargers advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history with a stunning, 17-13 victory over the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium. Linebacker Dennis Gibson knocked down a Neil O’Donnell pass and stopped the Steelers on downs on the Chargers’ three-yard line with 1:04 left in the game. The team returned to San Diego following the game and were greeted by an estimated crowd of 70,000 screaming fans in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. Jan. 29 In Super Bowl XXIX in Miami, Florida, the Chargers suffered a 49-26 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Jan. 30 More than 100,000 San Diegans crowded the streets of downtown San Diego at a post-Super Bowl parade to show support for the Chargers upon their return from Miami. Feb. 1 Defensive Coordinator Bill Arnsparger retired. March 6 Chargers President/Vice Chairman Dean Spanos announces that the team has come to an agreement with the City of San Diego to extend its lease and call San Diego home through the year 2020. As part of the agreement, plans were outlined to permanently expand the seating capacity of San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium to accommodate more than 70,000 fans and modernize the 28-year-old facility. May 2 Chargers President/Vice Chairman Dean Spanos signed General Manager Bobby Beathard and Head Coach Bobby Ross to contract extensions through the 1999 season. May 18 Alex Spanos announced plans to create the Alex G. Spanos San Diego Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to “help San Diego build on its strengths by supporting individuals, activities and organizations that work to make the city a better place to live.” In addition, he announced the donation of $1.5 million to the San Diego Hall of Champions. June 19 Linebacker David Griggs was killed in a one-car accident in Davie, Florida, becoming the first player in team history to die while on the active roster. July 29 Former Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Aug. 19 San Diego’s preseason game at Houston is cancelled due to an “unsafe” playing surface at the Houston Astrodome. It was the first time an NFL game has been cancelled. Sept. 3 The Chargers become the first team to play a regular-season game versus the Raiders at the Oakland Coliseum since 1981. Nov. 27 Dwayne Harper ties a team record with three interceptions in a 12-6 win over the Raiders. Dec. 17 John Carney becomes the team’s all-time field goal leader when he kicks his 147th and 148th career field goals with the Chargers in a 27-24 win at Indianapolis. Carney surpassed Rolf Benirschke’s record of 146. Dec. 23 Shaun Gayle returns an interception 99 yards through a barrage of snowballs thrown by fans as the Chargers seal a 27-17 win over the Giants at the New Jersey Meadowlands. It marks the Chargers fifth-consecutive win and gives San Diego its third playoff berth in the past four seasons. Dec. 31 The Chargers lose to the Indianapolis Colts, 35-20, in a Wild Card playoff game, ending San Diego’s hope of returning to its second consecutive Super Bowl. 1996 Jan. 27 The Pro Football Hall of Fame announces that former Chargers wide receiver Charlie Joiner will be one of the players inducted as part of its Class of 1996. Induction ceremonies are scheduled to take place on July 27, 1996. April 3 Chargers President/Vice Chairman Dean Spanos announces that minority owner George Pernicano has been selected to be the 19th member of the San Diego Chargers’ Hall of Fame. May 11 Running back Rodney Culver and his wife, Karen, are killed in the crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Florida Everglades. Culver is the second player in team history to die while on the active roster after David Griggs was killed in a one-car accident in Davie, Florida, 11 months earlier. July 12 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD for the 20th consecutive season. July 27 The Chargers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-10, in Tokyo, Japan, in the American Bowl preseason opener. It marks the Chargers’ second American Bowl appearance and second trip to Japan. The team played in Japan in 1976. Sept. 8 Minority owner George Pernicano is inducted into the Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of the Chargers-Bengals game. San Diego won the game, 27-14. Nov. 2 Owner Alex Spanos is the recipient of the Gloria Swanson Humanitarian Award at the American Cinema Awards’ 11th Annual All-Star Gala in Beverly Hills. The Award is given to the individual who contributes beyond all others to those who are less fortunate in the United States and around the world. 1997 Jan. 3 Head Coach Bobby Ross resigns and the coaching staff is released. Jan. 10 Owner Alex Spanos gives a generous donation of $1 million to the American Red Cross to help flood victims in Northern California. Jan. 19 San Diego Chargers General Manager Bobby Beathard names former Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride the 10th head coach in team history. Feb. 13 The Alex G. Spanos Sports Fields are dedicated on the grounds of Kate Sessions Elementary School in Pacific Beach, culminating a $102,000 donation from the Alex Spanos Family. The students from Kate Sessions and The Bishops School as well as the general community of Pacific Beach use the fields. May 23 Chargers President/Vice Chairman Dean Spanos introduces kicker Rolf Benirschke as the 20th selectee to the San Diego Chargers’ Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies will take place at half-time of the Chargers-Ravens game on Sept. 28. July 16 The Chargers open training camp at UCSD for the 21st consecutive season. Aug. 2 62,542 fans witness the Chargers defeat the San Francisco 49ers 20-13 in a preseason game. It is the first-ever game played in the newly-renovated and expanded Qualcomm Stadium. Sept. 14 Kicker John Carney surpasses Rolf Benirschke as the Chargers’ all-time leading scorer with his 767th career point with the team in a game versus the Carolina Panthers. Sept. 28 Kicker Rolf Benirschke is formally inducted by team President Dean Spanos as the 20th member of the Chargers’ Hall of Fame in halftime ceremonies of the Chargers game versus the Baltimore Ravens. Nov. 16 The Chargers establish a home attendance record when 65,714 fans watch the Chargers play the Oakland Raiders. It is the second consecutive week and fourth time during the 1997 season that the Chargers surpass the previous home regular-season record of 63,012 set versus the then Los Angeles Raiders on Monday, Dec. 5, 1994. The Chargers also surpassed the all-time home attendance record of 63,381 set versus Miami in the AFC Divisional Playoff game on Jan. 8, 1995 twice during the 1997 regular season. 1998 Jan. 20 Former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach June Jones is named the Chargers quarterbacks coach. Jan. 21 Ed McGuire is named the Chargers coordinator of football operations. Jan. 22 Former Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Joe Bugel is named the Chargers offensive line coach. Feb. 27 Stan Humphries, the only quarterback in team history to lead the Chargers to an AFC Championship, announces his retirement at a press conference at the team’s training facility in Murphy Canyon. Humphries was the team’s quarterback from 1992-97 and earned a record of 47-29 (.618) in regular-season games started for the Chargers. He finished his career ranked third in nearly every passing category in team history including passing yards with 16,085 behind Dan Fouts (43,040) and John Hadl (26,938). Team Owner Alex Spanos honors Humphries by donating $100,000 for the creation of the Brooke Humphries Heart Fund. March 12 The Chargers obtain the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by trading their 1998 first-round choice (#3), 1998 second-round choice (#32), 1999 first-round choice, WR-KR Eric Metcalf and LB Patrick Sapp to the Arizona Cardinals. Sept. 6 The Chargers defeat the Buffalo Bills, 16-14, in front of 64,037 fans, marking the largest crowd at a Chargers home opener in team history. Oct. 13 Head Coach Kevin Gilbride is released after the sixth game of the season. After winning their first two games to open the 1998 season, the Chargers lose four in a row for a record of 2-4. Quarterbacks coach June Jones takes over as the Chargers interim head coach. Nov. 29 The Chargers set a home attendance record when 66,532 fans watch the Bolts play the undefeated defending Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos, who defeat the Chargers, 31-16. 1999 Jan. 20 Former Oregon State University Head Coach Mike Riley is named the 12th head coach in Chargers history. Riley replaces interim head coach June Jones who took over as the head coach at the University of Hawaii following the end of the 1998 regular season. March 22 QB Jim Harbaugh is acquired in trade with Baltimore for a conditional draft choice in 2000. Sept. 19 The Chargers defeat the Bengals in Cincinnati, 34-7, making Mike Riley the first Chargers head coach to win his debut since Sid Gillman in 1960, the first year of the franchise. Oct. 24 The Chargers set a home attendance record when 68,274 fans watch the Bolts play the Green Bay Packers, who defeat the Chargers, 31-3. Nov. 21 Defensive lineman Gary “Big Hands” Johnson is formally inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame by President Dean Spanos at halftime of the Chargers game versus Chicago. Nov. 28 QB Jim Harbaugh passes for a career-high 404 yards at Minnesota, making him the only quarterback in Chargers history to pass for more than 400 yards in a game other than Dan Fouts, who did it six times. 2000 Jan. 2 The Chargers finish the 1999 regular season with a 12-6 win in Denver, giving San Diego an overall record of 8-8 and a intra-division mark of 5-3, the best in the AFC West. The win in Denver is the team’s first since 1994, and the 8-8 mark is the team’s best since 1996. March 22 The Spanos family and the Chargers announce the contribution of more than $3 million toward the new Chargers Champions community outreach initiative benefiting students, schools and educators who are “making the difference” for San Diego’s future. Chargers Champions also encompasses the team’s ongoing support of youth and high school football as well as its long-standing community service programs, such as the Blood Drive. April 25 Bobby Beathard, who helped guide the Chargers to Super Bowl XXIX as well as two AFC Western Division Championships and three playoff appearances during his 10 years as general manager, retires after 37 years in the NFL. Beathard is replaced by Ed McGuire, who is named Vice President of Football Operations by team President Dean Spanos. May 30 The Chargers honor 22 local high school juniors as the first Chargers Champions for demonstrating leadership, service, citizenship and commitment in their schools and communities. Each student receives a college tuition scholarship of $7,500 as well as a state-of-the-art laptop computer. June 6 The Spanos family contributes $250,000 through Chargers Champions to create and fund freshman football and freshman volleyball in San Diego City Schools beginning in Fall, 2000. 2001 Jan. 5 Dean Spanos names John Butler as the team’s new executive vice president and general manager. Butler, the former general manager of the Buffalo Bills, began his NFL career in 1985 as staff scout with the Chargers. During his tenure in Buffalo, the Bills reached the playoffs 10 times and played in four Super Bowls. Jan. 9 Norv Turner, the former head coach of the Washington Redskins, is named offensive coordinator by head coach Mike Riley. Turner, who has 16 years of NFL coaching experience, helped lead Dallas to back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1992 and ’93 as the Cowboys offensive coordinator. March 9 The Bolts sign Pro Bowl quarterback Doug Flutie, yet another free agent from Buffalo, to a six-year contract. Flutie arrives in San Diego after three seasons with the Bills where he had a record of 21-9 as the team’s starting quarterback. Flutie also spent eight seasons in the Canadian Football League where he was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player an unprecedented six times and won three Grey Cup championships. April 20 On the heels of a 1-15 season, the Chargers trade the top pick in the 2001 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the Falcons’ first-round pick (fifth overall) and third-round selection in the 2001 draft. The Chargers also obtained wide receiver/kick returner Tim Dwight and the Falcons’ second-round pick in the 2002 draft. April 22 The Chargers use their top two selections in the draft to select two Heisman Trophy finalists, running back LaDainian Tomlinson of Texas Christian University and quarterback Drew Brees of Purdue. 2002 Jan. 29 The Chargers name Marty Schottenheimer as the team’s 13th head coach. April 20 The Chargers select standout cornerback Quentin Jammer from the University of Texas in the first round of the NFL Draft. The team later adds gigantic offensive guard Toniu Fonoti from Nebraska and big-play wide receiver Reche Caldwell from the University of Florida. April 25 The Chargers sign free agent linebacker Donnie Edwards, a Chula Vista native, to a five-year contract with an option for a sixth year. In his first season with the Chargers, Edwards would lead the squad with 129 tackles and five interceptions and was selected to play in his first-career Pro Bowl. May 9 The Chargers announce that the team has signed a five-year agreement to hold their training camp at the Home Depot National Training Center on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills beginning in 2003. It will be the eighth training camp site in the 44-year history of the Chargers. May 14 Dean Spanos announces that the Chargers have hired Mark Fabiani as the team’s Special Counsel to the President. Fabiani’s primary function with the club is to work with the San Diego community to explore opportunities for a new state-of-the-art football stadium in the San Diego region. Sept. 8 Schottenheimer leads the Chargers to a 34-6 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in his debut, becoming just the fourth head coach in team history to win his first game. Schottenheimer would lead the Chargers to four straight victories to open the season, becoming the only coach in team history to win his first four games. Nov. 3 Bobby Ross and Stan Humphries are inducted as the 25th and 26th members of the Chargers’ Hall of Fame in halftime ceremonies of game against New York Jets. Dec. 1 LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for a team-record 220 yards against Denver at Qualcomm Stadium. Dec. 8 Tomlinson rushes for 57 yards against Oakland, raising his season total to 1,375, which eclipses Natrone Means’ previous team record of 1,350 yards in the 1994 season. Tomlinson would close out the season with 1,683 yards en route to being selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. Dec. 22 Junior Seau plays in his 200th career game, tying Russ Washington’s team record. 2003 Jan. 26 Super Bowl XXXVII is played at Qualcomm Stadium and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Oakland Raiders, 48-21, to capture their first ever Super Bowl Championship. March 4 The Chargers activate the trigger in their lease agreement with the City of San Diego for Qualcomm Stadium to begin negotiations to replace the 36-year-old stadium. March 7 The Chargers sign Pro Bowl wide receiver David Boston to a seven-year contract. April 11 Chargers General Manager John Butler succumbs after a nine-month battle with cancer. April 16 Chargers trade Junior Seau to Miami Dolphins for undisclosed choice in 2004 NFL Draft. April 22 A.J. Smith is promoted to Executive Vice President-General Manager, replacing his close friend John Butler who lost a nine-month battle with cancer on April 11. June 2 Smith names Buddy Nix Assistant General Manager-Director of Player Personnel. July 22 The Chargers open training camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, after spending the previous 27 training camps (1976-2002) at the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla. Oct. 27 The Chargers’ Monday Night Football game against the Miami Dolphins is moved to Arizona’s Sun Devil Stadium while Qualcomm Stadium is used as an evacuation site during the devastating wildfires that ravage San Diego County. Fans are admitted to Sun Devil Stadium free of charge and volunteers collect donations for fire relief at the gates. More than $225,000 is raised. The Dolphins win the game, 26-10. Oct. 31 Alex Spanos makes a $1 million donation to the San Diego Fire Relief Fund. Nov. 9 Louie Kelcher becomes the 27th member to be inducted into the Chargers’ Hall of Fame at halftime of the game against the Minnesota Vikings. Dec. 14 LaDainian Tomlinson amasses 195 total yards from scrimmage against Green Bay to raise his season total to 2,011 and in the process becomes the first player in team history and only the eighth player in NFL history to record consecutive 2,000-yard seasons. Dec. 28 LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for a team-record 243 yards in a season-ending 21-14 win over the Raiders. Tomlinson also catches eight passes against Oakland to become the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes in the same season. 2004 Jan. 16 Wade Phillips is introduced as the team’s new defensive coordinator. April 24 With first overall selection, San Diego selects QB Eli Manning in NFL Draft and trades him to the New York Giants for QB Philip Rivers, taken with the fifth-overall choice, along with the Giants’ third-round choice in 2004 and first and fifth-round choices in ’05. July 2 Chargers and City of San Diego announce a new lease agreement that brings an end to the controversial seat guaranty. The new lease runs through 2008 and helps pave the way for a referendum to give San Diegans an opportunity to vote for a new football-only stadium for San Diego in 2006. July 26 Guard Ed White and center Don Macek are chosen as the 32nd and 33rd members for induction into the Chargers Hall of Fame. July 30 Chargers open training camp at The Home Depot Center. Aug. 14 The Chargers preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts is blacked out locally. It’s the first home game to be blacked out on local television since the Sept. 27, 1998 game against the New York Giants. As part of the team’s lease agreement with the City of San Diego, all local television blackouts had been lifted since Oct. 18, 1998. Oct. 29 Chargers acquire Keenan McCardell in trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Oct. 31 Drew Brees has record-setting day against rival Oakland, completing 22 of 25 for 281 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in 42-14 win over Raiders. Brees finishes game with career-high passer rating of 153.1 and is named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Nov. 15 Chargers name Jim Steeg executive vice president and chief operating officer. Dec. 16 Chargers announce training camp will move to Chargers Park beginning in 2005; move ends two-year stint at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Dec. 19 Chargers clinch first AFC West title since 1994 with 21-0 win at Cleveland on cold, snowy day; game-time temperature is 18 degrees with wind-chill factor of -10 degrees. Chargers record first shutout since Nov. 29, 1993 at Indianapolis. Dec. 22 Drew Brees, Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson are selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. Dec. 26 Chargers lose to Indianapolis 34-31 in overtime, to snap eight-game winning streak, tied for second-longest winning streak in team history. 2005 Jan. 7 Alex Spanos makes $150,000 donation to provide aid to victims of devastating tsunami that rocked Southeast Asia on Dec. 26, 2004. Jan. 8 Chargers host Wild Card Playoff Game against New York Jets, first home playoff game since Dec. 31, 1995; Chargers lose in overtime, 20-17. Jan 14 Chargers and Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer agree on two-year contract extension through 2007. March 7 Dean Spanos extends contract of General Manager A.J. Smith through 2009 season. July 29 Training camp opens for the first time at Chargers Park. Sept. 18 LaDainian Tomlinson scores a rushing touchdown in his 14th straight game, setting a new NFL record. Oct. 2 The Chargers rout New England, 41-17, to end the Patriots’ NFL-record 21-game home winning streak. Oct. 10 The Chargers set a new single-game attendance record at Qualcomm Stadium when 68,537 fans turn out to see the Chargers face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Oct. 16 Tomlinson catches a 35-yard touchdown pass to tie Lenny Moore’s NFL record of 18 straight games with a touchdown. Nov. 20 The Chargers retire jersey No. 19 in honor of Hall of Fame wide receiver Lance Alworth at halftime of the team’s game against the Buffalo Bills. It becomes only the second number retired in team history, joining Dan Fouts’ No. 14. Dec. 18 The Chargers defeat unbeaten Indianapolis by a score of 26-17, ending the Colts’ 13-0 start to the season. It had been only the fourth time in NFL history that a team had started a season 13-0. Dec. 31 In the 2005 season finale against Denver, Tomlinson passes Alworth to become the team’s all-time leader in total yards from scrimmage. Tomlinson also scores his 20th touchdown of the season against the Broncos, breaking Chuck Muncie’s 25-year-old team record for single-season touchdowns. Dec. 31 The Chargers finish the 2005 season with the NFL’s top-ranked run defense, allowing only 84.3 yards per game. During the season, the Chargers held three different teams to less than 40 yards rushing. It was the first time that had happened in franchise history since 1965. 2006 Jan. 4 Shawne Merriman is named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. He receives 28.5 of 50 votes to become only the second Charger to win the award, joining Leslie O’Neal, who won it in 1986. Feb 12 Six Chargers play in the 2006 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu Hawaii. It is the most Chargers to appear in the NFL’s all-star game since 1983. The NFC wins the game, 23-17. May 1 The San Diego City Council amends the Chargers’ lease with the city, allowing the team to explore options for a new stadium within the County of San Diego. May 9 Dean Spanos is presented with the 44th annual Golden Achievement Award by the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego during a dinner at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. Sept. 11 The Chargers open the season with a 27-0 win over the Oakland Raiders before a sellout crowd at McAfee Coliseum and a national-television audience on ESPN. It’s their first shutout win over the Raiders since 1961. Oct. 8 The Chargers defeat the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-13, before a crowd of 67,837 at Qualcomm Stadium and a national-television audience tuned in to NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Oct. 15 LaDainian Tomlinson ties a team record with four touchdowns against San Francisco. He also becomes the team’s all-time touchdowns leader, passing Lance Alworth. Nov. 12 The Chargers overcome a 21-point first-half deficit and defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, 49-41, in front of a stunned crowd at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bolts trailed 28-7 at the half and outscored Cincinnati, 42-13, in the second half. Nov. 19 Tomlinson scores four touchdowns in a 35-27 win at Denver. He sets a new NFL record as he becomes the first player to score four touchdowns in three games in a season. The touchdowns are the 99th, 100th, 101st and 102nd of his career and he becomes the fastest player in NFL history to score 100 times (89 games). The Chargers overcome a 17-point deficit in the third quarter, 24-7, to become the first team in league history to overcome 17-point deficits in consecutive weeks. Nov. 26 Tomlinson scores his 20th and 21st rushing TDs of the season to set a new team record. Dec. 10 Tomlinson scores three touchdowns against Denver to set a new NFL record for single-season touchdowns (29). The Chargers win the game, 48-20, to claim their second AFC West title in the last three seasons. Dec. 17 Tomlinson scores the 99th and 100th rushing touchdowns of his career becoming the fastest player in NFL history to reach 100. On his first touchdown of the game, Tomlinson break’s Paul Hornung’s NFL record for points in a season, which was set in 1960. He scores his second touchdown of the game on a career-long 85-yard run to set new NFL single-season record for rushing touchdowns (28). The 85-yard run is the third-longest in team history and the longest since 1962. Tomlinson sets a new NFL record with eight consecutive multi-touchdown games. Dec. 24 The Chargers set a new team record when they win their 13th game of the season. The Bolts defeat the Seattle Seahawks, 20-17, at Qwest Field on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Phillip Rivers to Vincent Jackson with 29 seconds left to play. The Bolts would go on to close out the season with a win over Arizona for their 14th win of the year. Dec. 31 The Chargers defeat the Arizona Cardinals, 27-20, clinching home-field advantage in the playoffs as the number-one seed for only the third time in team history (1979 & ’80). Marty Schottenheimer wins the 200th regular-season game of his career. Tomlinson finishes the season with 1,815 yards to claim his first NFL rushing title. Shawne Merriman records his 17th sack of the season to claim the league’s sack title. The Bolts finish the season with 492 points, most in the NFL and a new team record. 2007 Jan. 4 LaDainian Tomlinson is named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and the Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He is the first player in team history to be named MVP by the AP. Tomlinson scored an NFL-record 31 touchdowns in 2006. Jan. 14–A team-record 68,810 fans fill Qualcomm Stadium for an AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots. The Patriots win the game, 24-21. Feb. 2 Tomlinson and former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees are named co-recipients of the 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. It is the only league award that recognizes both off the field community service as well as playing excellence. Tomlinson is the fourth Charger to be named Man of the Year. Feb. 10 A new team-record 10 Chargers appear in the 2007 Pro Bowl. Quarterback Phillip Rivers is also selected to play but does not participate due to a foot injury. Feb. 12 Marty Schottenheimer is relieved of his duties as head coach of the Chargers. Feb. 19 Norv Turner is hired as the 14th head coach in team history. He immediately hires Ted Cottrell as the team’s defensive coordinator. Mar. 14 The Chargers unveil new uniforms for 2007 and beyond at a private fashion show at the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego. The new uniforms feature Navy blue jerseys and white pants for most home games, white jerseys and Navy pants for road games, and Powder Blue jerseys with white pants for designated home games. The most noticeable change is a metallic-white helmet that features a Gold bolt which is outlined in both powder blue and Navy. Sept. 9 Wearing their new uniforms, the Chargers win their season opener, defeating the defending NFC Champion Chicago Bears, 14-3, before 67,837 at Qualcomm Stadium, the largest crowd ever to watch a home opener in San Diego. Oct. 7 The Chargers snap a three-game losing streak with a convincing 41-3 win at Denver’s Invesco Field. It was the Broncos’ worst home loss in 41 years, as well as the Chargers’ biggest win over the Broncos in Denver. Oct. 14 LaDainian Tomlinson ties a team record with four touchdowns as the Bolts shut down the Oakland Raiders, 28-14. Oct. 23–As wildfires rage throughout San Diego County and the air in San Diego is filled with smoke, the Chargers fly to Phoenix and spend the next three days practicing at the Arizona Cardinals’ Training Facility in Tempe, AZ. Oct. 27 Alex and Dean Spanos pledge $1 million to aid victims of the wildfires and support the community’s firefighting efforts. It’s the largest personal financial commitment to the relief effort. The Spanoses made a similar donation following the fires of 2003. Oct. 28 Just days after Qualcomm Stadium is cleared as an evacuation site for residents evacuated during the wildfires and with a smoky haze still enveloping the city, the Chargers return home to host the Houston Texans and win the game, 35-10. Antonio Cromartie and Antonio Gates both score two touchdowns for the Bolts. Nov. 4 Cromartie sets an NFL record for the longest touchdown in NFL history, returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half at Minnesota. Nov. 11 The Chargers defeat the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, 23-21, on a cool and rainy night in San Diego in front of a national television audience on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Darren Sproles electrifies the home crowd by returning a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns and Cromartie intercepts reigning Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning three times in the first half, including a highlight-reel-worthy leaping one-handed interception. Manning throws a career-high six interceptions on the night. Dec. 9 The Chargers overcome a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and defeat the Tennessee Titans on the road in overtime, 23-17. The Chargers score the game-tying touchdown with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter and win it on a 16-yard run by LaDainian Tomlinson in overtime. Dec. 16 The Chargers rout the Detroit Lions, 51-14, to capture their second-straight AFC West title and their third in the last four years. Norv Turner becomes only the second Chargers coach to win the AFC West in his first season at the helm. Following the game, he presents President-CEO Dean Spanos with a Game Ball in the locker room. 2008 Jan. 1 Chargers President-CEO awards General Manager A.J. Smith with a five-year contract extension thru 2014. Jan. 6 The Chargers overcome a 6-0 halftime deficit and score 17 unanswered points to beat the Tennessee Titans in an AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Qualcomm Stadium. LaDainian Tomlinson scores two touchdowns, including a leaping score from one-yard out to put away the game midway through the fourth quarter. It’s the Chargers’ first playoff victory since 1995. Jan. 13 The Chargers shock the football world by knocking the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts out of the playoffs in a Divisional Playoff game, 28-24, in what will be the last-ever game played at the RCA Dome. With Phillip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson both sidelined with injuries, Darren Sproles and Billy Volek score key late touchdowns, including Volek’s game-winner with 4:50 left in the fourth quarter. San Diego’s defense makes two late-game stands, including one inside the Bolts’ 10-yard line with just over two minutes remaining in the contest. Jan. 20 The Chargers magical playoff run comes to an end as the Bolts fall to the New England Patriots, 21-12, on a frigid day at Gillette Stadium. Phillip Rivers turns in a heroic performance, playing with a torn ACL in his right knee, but the Chargers can only muster four field goals against the Patriots and fall in the conference title game. Oct. 12 The Chargers induct Fred Dean into the team’s Hall of Fame at halftime of the New England game. Oct. 26 The Chargers play their first-ever regular-season game overseas, taking on the New Orleans Saints before a crowd of 83,226 in London’s Wembly Stadium. Dec. 14 Down 21-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, Phillip Rivers rallies the Chargers to a 22-21 come-from-behind win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. After San Diego scored it’s first TD, Antwan Applewhite forces a fumble on the onside kick and Kassim Osgood recovers to set up the game-winning touchdown drive. Dec. 21 Flying home from Tampa Bay following a 41-24 win over the Buccaneers, the Chargers learn that Buffalo has upset Denver at Invesco Field, setting up an AFC West title game with the Broncos on Dec. 28. Dec. 28 Before a stadium-record crowd of 69,131, the Chargers rush for a team-record 289 yards and stomp the Broncos, 52-21, at Qualcomm Stadium to claim the AFC West crown. The Bolts become the first-ever team in NFL history to go to the playoffs after starting 4-8. San Diego also becomes the first NFL team since divisions were aligned in 1967 to come back and win their division when trailing by three games with three games left to play. 2009 Jan. 3 Down 17-14 entering the fourth quarter, San Diego rallies for a game-tying field goal and defeats Indianapolis in overtime, 23-17, in an AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Qualcomm Stadium. Sproles racks up 328 all-purpose yards and winds it with a 22-yard touchdown in overtime. Aug. 24 Rivers signs a six-year contract extension through 2015. Sept. 14 Sproles racks up 246 total yards and his five-yard touchdown run with 18-seconds remaining gives the Chargers a 24-20 season opening win in Oakland on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Nov. 8 Rivers’ 18-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds left caps a 21-20 comeback vicroty over the N.Y. Giants at the Medowlands. Rivers drives the offense 80 yards in 1:46 for the game-winner and Merriman ends it with an 11-yard sack of Eli Manning. Nov. 22 A 3.5-game deficit is erased and the Chargers take over first place in the AFC West following a 32-3 thrashing of Denver at Invesco Field. Nov. 27 The 53 Greatest Chargers of All-Time, as voted on by fans and the media are honored at a Block Party in the Gaslamp District of Downtown San Diego. They are also introduced at the Kansas City game two days later and the current Bolts honor their alumni with a 43-14 win. Dec. 20 Kaeding’s 52-yard field goal with three seconds left is good for a 27-24 win over Cincinnati. Moments later, Oakland upsets Denver at Invesco Field and the Chargers officialy clinch their fourth-stright AFC West title. Dec. 25 A 42-17 win in their first-ever game on Christmas Day improves the Chargers’ record to 12-3 and clinches the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. 2010 Jan. 17 The No. 5 seed New York Jets upset the No. 2 Chargers 17-14, in a Divisional Playoff game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego leads 7-0 at the half, but the Jets score the next 17 points and hold on for the win. Feb. 22 After nine seasons in San Diego, including an MVP season in ’06, two rushing titles and five Pro Bowls, Tomlinson is realeased. He leaves holding 28 Chargers records, including career rushing yards and touchdowns. DATA INCOMPLETE – UNDER CONSTRUCTION… d under construction page templates unde1988 01 - Chargers History The following years are not yet available. If you would like to help us out with the time line…Your input would be greatly appreciated! Contact Us 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Los Angeles Chargers Retired Numbers The Chargers currently have four retired numbers: #14 (Dan Fouts), #19 (Lance Alworth), #21 (LaDainian Tomlinson) and #55 (Junior Seau). As of 2010, the Chargers’ policy was to have the Chargers Hall of Fame committee evaluate candidates for a player’s number to retire after the player has retired from the league after five years, Seau was the only exception to this policy. The committee consists of Chargers Executive Vice President Alex Spanos, Chargers public relations director Bill Johnston, San Diego Hall of Champions founder Bob Breitbard, and the presidents of the San Diego Sports Commission and the Chargers Backers Fan Club. There are few recognized guidelines in sports regarding retiring numbers, and the NFL has no specific league policy. “You have to have enough numbers for players to wear”, said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. The Chargers have rarely retired numbers. The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote, “The [Chargers] tend to honor their heritage haphazardly. Los Angeles Chargers retired numbers No. Player Position Tenure 14 Dan Fouts QB 1973–1987 19 Lance Alworth WR 1962–1970 21 LaDainian Tomlinson RB 2001–2009 55 Junior Seau LB 1990–2002 Pro Football Hall of Famers Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Famers No. Player Position Tenure Inducted 19 Lance Alworth WR 1962–1970 1978 74 Ron Mix OT 1960–1969 1979 19 Johnny Unitas QB 1973 1979 75 Deacon Jones DE 1972–1973 1980 — Sid Gillman Head coach 1960–1971 1983 89 John Mackey TE 1972 1992 14 Dan Fouts QB 1973–1987 1993 72 Larry Little OG 1967–1968 1993 80 Kellen Winslow TE 1979–1987 1995 18 Charlie Joiner WR 1976–1986 1996 71 Fred Dean DE 1975–1981 2008 55 Junior Seau LB 1990–2002 2015 Chargers Hall of Fame Main article: Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame The Chargers created their Hall of Fame in 1976. The members of the Hall of Fame are honored at the Chargers Ring of Honor, founded in 2000 and viewable above the visiting team’s sideline of Qualcomm Stadium on the press level. Eligible candidates must have been retired for at least four seasons. Selections are made by a five-member committee chaired by Dean Spanos, Chargers vice-chairman. As of 1992, other committee members included Bob Breitbard, founder of the San Diego Hall of Champions; Ron Fowler, president of the Greater San Diego Sports Association; Jane Rappoport, president of the Charger Backers; and Bill Johnston, the team’s director of public relations. The Chargers in 2012 allowed fans to vote for the newest member. 50th Anniversary Team The Chargers announced their 50th Anniversary Team in 2009 to honor the top players and coaches in the team’s history. The Chargers were founded in 1959. The team included 53 players and coaches selected from 103 nominees. The Chargers originally stated that only 50 members would be selected. Online voting by fans accounted for 50% of the voting results; votes from Chargers Hall of Famers and five members of the local media made up for the other 50%. Over 400,000 votes were cast online. Dan Fouts and LaDainian Tomlinson received the first and second most votes, respectively. The team features 7 Pro Football Hall of Fame members and 11 players that were active on the 2009 Chargers team. San Diego Hall of Champions Alworth, Mix, Hadl, Joiner, Coryell, Gillman, Garrison, Fouts, White, Winslow, Faison, Benirschke, Lincoln, Washington, Humphries, Ladd and Wilkerson are also members of the San Diego Hall of Champions, which is open to athletes from the San Diego area as well as those who played for San Diego-based professional and collegiate teams. Current Los Angeles Chargers staff Front Office Owner – Alex Spanos Chairman/President – Dean Spanos Executive Vice President – Michael Spanos CEO/President – Business Operations – A. G. Spanos General Manager – Tom Telesco President – Football Operations – John Spanos Executive Vice President of Football Administration/Player Finance – Ed McGuire Senior Executive – Randy Mueller Director of Pro Scouting – Dennis Abraham Senior Director of Pro Personnel – Louis Clark Director of Player Personnel – JoJo Wooden Director of College Scouting – Kevin Kelly Head Coaches Head Coach – Anthony Lynn Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator – Ken Whisenhunt Quarterbacks – Shane Steichen Running Backs – Ollie Wilson Wide Receivers – Nick Sirianni Tight Ends – John McNulty Offensive Line – Vacant Assistant Offensive Line – Dave DeGuglielmo Senior Offensive Assistant – Fred Graves Offensive Assistant – Tommy Rees Special Assistant to the Head Coach/Offense – Mark Ridgley Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Vacant Defensive Line – Giff Smith Linebackers – Vacant Assistant Linebackers – Bobby King Defensive Backs – Ron Milus Assistant Defensive Backs – Chris Harris Defensive Quality Control – Chris Shula Special Teams Coaches Special Teams Coordinator – Craig Aukerman Special Teams Assistant – Marquice Williams Strength and Conditioning Strength and Conditioning – Kent Johnston Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Rick Lyle Team Broadcasters The Chargers’ flagship station is KIOZ 105.3FM, commonly known as “Rock 105.3”, with KLSD (XTRA Sports 1360) serving as co-flagship. Play-by-play man Josh Lewin and former Charger wide receiver Curtis Conway comprise the broadcast team, with former offensive lineman Nick Hardwick and KLSD afternoon co-host Mike Costa serving as sideline reporters. Past Chargers radio broadcasters have included Ralph Lawler, Stu Nahan, Tom Kelly, Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton, Dan Rowe, Ted Leitner, and Hank Bauer. Bauer served seventeen seasons (1998–2014) as the radio color analyst; however, the Chargers and KIOZ decided not to renew his contract, and was replaced by Conway starting with the 2015 season.Theme Song San Diego Super Chargers Theme Song The Chargers’ fight song, “San Diego Super Chargers”, was recorded in 1979 at the height of the team’s success with Air Coryell, and has a distinctly disco sound. The team under then-new owner Alex Spanos replaced the song in 1989 with a non-disco cover version, but the original version was revived in 2002. The team plays this song at home games after Chargers scores and victories. From time to time during highlights of NFL PrimeTime, ESPN’s Chris Berman and Tom Jackson would briefly sing the first line of the song’s chorus.

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