San Diego Chargers
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2008-07-15T16:39:09Z
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Reverted 1 edit by [[Special:Contributions/Zaqak47|Zaqak47]] identified as [[WP:VAND|vandalism]] to last revision by [[User:Zzyzx11|Zzyzx11]]. ([[WP:TW|TW]])
{{current sport-related|image=AmericanFootball current event.svg|mini=1|2008 San Diego Chargers season}}
{{NFL team | name = San Diego Chargers
| helmet = NewChargersHelmet2007.png
| logo = San Diego Chargers logo.svg
| founded = 1960
| city = [[San Diego, California]]
| uniform = Image:AFCW-Uniform-SD.PNG
| colors = Navy, Gold, Powder Blue, White
| coach = [[Norv Turner]]
| owner = [[Alex Spanos]]<br>([[George Pernicano]], minority owner with 3% share)
| general manager = [[A. J. Smith]]
| song = San Diego Super Chargers
| nicknames = Bolts, Super Chargers
| hist_yr = 1960
| hist_misc =
* [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] Chargers (1960)
| affiliate_old =
[[American Football League]] (1960-1969)
*Western Division (1960-1969)
| NFL_start_yr = 1970
| division_hist =
*'''[[American Football Conference]] (1970-present)'''
**'''[[AFC West]] (1970-present)'''
| no_league_champs = 1
| no_conf_champs = 1
| no_div_champs = 13
| league_champs =
*'''AFL Championships (1)'''<br>1963
| conf_champs =
*'''AFC:''' 1994
| div_champs =
*'''AFL West:''' 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965
*'''AFC West:''' 1979, 1980, 1981, 1992, 1994, 2004, 2006, 2007
| stadium_years =
*[[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] (1960)
*[[Balboa Stadium]] (1961-1966)
*'''[[Qualcomm Stadium]]''' (1967-present)
**a.k.a. San Diego Stadium (1968-1980)
**a.k.a. [[Jack Murphy (sportswriter)|Jack Murphy]] Stadium (1981-1997)
}}
The '''San Diego Chargers''' are a professional [[American football]] team based in [[San Diego, California]]. They are currently members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). Originally called the '''Los Angeles Chargers''', the club began play in [[1960 American Football League season|1960]] as a charter member of the American Football League. The club spent its first season in [[Los Angeles, California]] before moving to San Diego in 1961.<ref name="Chronology">[http://www.chargers.com/history/chronology/ Chronology] Chargers.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref>
The Chargers won one AFL title in [[AFL playoffs, 1963|1963]] and reached the AFL playoffs five times and the AFL Championship four times before joining the NFL ([[1970 NFL season|1970]]) as part of the [[AFL-NFL Merger]].<ref name="Chronology"> </ref> In the 34 years since then, the Chargers have made ten trips to the playoffs and four appearances in the AFC Championship game.<ref name="Chronology"> </ref> At the end of the [[1994 NFL season|1994 season]], the Chargers faced the [[San Francisco 49ers]] in [[Super Bowl XXIX]] and fell 49-26.<ref name="Chronology"> </ref> The Chargers have five players and one coach enshrined in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in [[Canton, Ohio]]: [[Wide Receiver|wide receiver]] [[Lance Alworth]] ([[1962 American Football League season|1962]]-1970), [[Defensive end|defensive end]] [[Fred Dean]] ([[1975 NFL season|1975]]-[[1981 NFL season|1981]]), [[quarterback]] [[Dan Fouts]] ([[1973 NFL season|1973]]-[[1987 NFL season|1987]]), head coach/[[general manager]] [[Sid Gillman]] ([[1960]]-[[1969 American Football League season|1969]], [[1971 NFL season|1971]]), wide receiver [[Charlie Joiner]] ([[1976 NFL season|1976]]-[[1986 NFL season|1986]]), [[Offensive Lineman|offensive lineman]] [[Ron Mix]] (1960-1969) and [[tight end]] [[Kellen Winslow]] ([[1979 NFL season|1979]]-1987).<ref>[http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/teams.html Hall of Famers by Franchise] Pro Football Hall of Fame. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref>
==Franchise history==
{{details|History of the San Diego Chargers}}
===1959-1969===
The Chargers were established with seven other American Football League teams in 1959. In 1960, the Chargers began AFL play in Los Angeles.<ref name="Chronology"/> The Chargers' original owner was hotel heir [[Barron Hilton]], son of [[Hilton Hotels]] founder [[Conrad Hilton]].<ref name="Chronology"/> The Chargers only spent one season in Los Angeles before moving to [[San Diego, California|San Diego]] in 1961.<ref name="Chronology"> </ref> The early AFL years of the San Diego Chargers were highlighted by the outstanding play of [[wide receiver]] Lance Alworth 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.<ref>[http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=16 LANCE ALWORTH] Pro Football Hall of Fame. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref>
Their only coach for the ten year life of the AFL was Sid Gillman,<ref name="Chronology"> </ref> a Hall of Famer.<ref name="Gillman">[http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=76 SID GILLMAN] Pro Football Hall of Fame. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> who was considered the foremost authority on the forward passing offense of his era.<ref name="Gillman"> </ref> With players such as Alworth, [[Paul Lowe]], [[Keith Lincoln]] and [[John Hadl]],<ref>[http://www.chargers.com/history/champions.htm Chargers Hall of Fame] Chargers.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> 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]].<ref name="Chronology"> </ref>
They also played defense, as indicated by their professional football record 49 pass interceptions in 1961,<ref>[http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=x-fbbetter FOOTBALL PLAYERS ARE BETTER THAN EVER, RIGHT?] Professional Football Researchers Association. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> and featured AFL Rookie of the Year defensive end [[Earl Faison]].<ref>[http://football.about.com/od/nflhistory/l/bl_awardsrookie.htm NFL's Rookie of the Year] About.com: Football. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> The Chargers were the originators of the term "Fearsome Foursome" to describe their all-star defensive line,{{Fact|date=July 2007}} anchored by Faison and [[Ernie Ladd]] (the latter also dabbled in [[professional wrestling]]).<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/ernieladd/bio/ Big Cat Ernie Ladd] World Wrestling Entertainment. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> The phrase was later appropriated by the Los Angeles Rams.<ref>[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-3507 "Fearsome Foursome"] The New Georgia Encyclopedia. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> Hilton sold the Chargers to a group headed by [[Eugene Klein]] and [[Sam Schulman]] in August 1966.<ref name="NFLChron">[http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1961-1970 NFL History: 1961-1970] NFL.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> The following year the Chargers began "head to head" competition with the older NFL with a preseason loss to the Detroit Lions.<ref name="Chronology"> </ref> 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.<ref name="Chronology"> </ref> Alworth once again led the team in receptions with 64 and 1,003 yards with 4 touchdowns.<ref name="Chronology"> </ref> 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.<ref name="Chronology"> </ref>
===1970-1981===
In 1970 the San Diego Chargers were placed into the AFC West division after the NFL merger with the AFL.<ref>[http://www.football.com/history/index.shtml NFL Franchise Year-by-Year Genealogy] Football.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref><ref name="NFLChron"> </ref> 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 [[1960]]s had already either retired or traded.<ref name="Chron70">[http://www.chargers.com/history/chronology/chronology-1970-1979.htm Chronology 1970-1979] Chargers.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> The Chargers acquired veteran players like [[Deacon Jones]],<ref>[http://www.nflplayers.com/news/news_release.aspx?id=6482 Deacon Jones - 'Secretary Of Defense'] NFLPlayers.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> [[Johnny Unitas]],<ref>[http://www.cmgworldwide.com/football/unitas/article.html Legendary Quarterback Johnny Unitas Dies at 69] CMG Worldwide. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> 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 NFL season|1978]].
1978 was marked by the "[[Holy Roller (American football)|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]], in San Diego at Jack Murphy Stadium.<ref name="Roller">[http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6665416 Inside the 'Holy Roller' play] NFL.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> With 10 seconds left in the game, the Raiders had possession of the ball at the Chargers' 14-yard line, trailing 20-14. Raiders quarterback [[Ken Stabler]] took the snap and found himself about to be sacked by Chargers linebacker [[Woody 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. 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 [[placekicker]] [[Errol Mann]], the Raiders won, 21-20.<ref name="Roller"> </ref>. 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 forawrd towards the end zone where the Raiders ultimately recovered it for a touchdown.<ref name="Roller"> </ref>. As a result of this play, NFL rules were changed so that, in the last two minutes of a half or game, the only offensive player allowed to advance a fumbled ball 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 [[Sporting News|The Sporting News]] named team general manager [[John Sanders (American football)|John Sanders]] NFL Executive of the Year after balloting of other NFL executives.<ref>[http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/almanac/nfl/execofyear.html TSN Award Winners: NFL Executive of the Year] Sporting News. Accessed 1 July 2007.</ref> 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.<ref name="Chron70"> </ref> The team coached by [[Don Coryell]] (with an offense nicknamed "Air Coryell," featured Fouts throwing to tight end Kellen Winslow, and wide receivers [[John Jefferson]]) and [[Charlie Joiner]],and 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.<ref name="Chron70"> </ref> Their time in the [[NFL playoffs, 1979-80|playoffs]] was short as they would lose to the [[Tennessee Titans|Houston Oilers]] 17-14 loss 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.<ref name="Chron70"> </ref>
The [[1980 NFL season|1980]] team saw the team trade for running back Chuck Muncie, and Fouts set a club record with 444 yards passing in the Chargers' 44-7 victory over the [[New York Giants]].<ref name="Chron80">[http://www.chargers.com/history/chronology/chronology-1980-1989.htm Chronology 1980-1989] Chargers.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> 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. In the [[NFL playoffs, 1980-81|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 NFL season|1981]], the Chargers won their third straight AFC West title with a 10-6 season. 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 [[Fred Dean]] also became involved in a hold out and was traded to the 49ers. He would go on to lead the 49ers and the NFL with 17.5 sacks and win his first Super Bowl ring.<ref name="SI">[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/2001/02/28/sayitaintso_chargers/ Say It Ain't So: San Diego Chargers] Sports Illustrated. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref> In the [[NFL playoffs, 1981-82|playoffs]], they managed to outlast the [[Miami Dolphins]] in the divisional round, 41-38, in a game that became known as [[The Epic in Miami]] (this 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]],<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/76 76: Winslow helped off field after Chargers' OT win] ESPN.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> 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,<ref>[http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=71 DAN FOUTS] Pro Football Hall of Fame. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> setting an NFL single season record at that point and time of 4,802 yards and 33 touchdowns.<ref>[http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/FoutDa00.htm Dan Fouts statistics] Pro Football Reference. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.databasefootball.com/leagues/leagueyear.htm?yr=1981&lg=nfl 1981 NFL Standings, Stats and Awards] Database Football. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref>
This game set playoff records for the most points scored in a playoff game (79),<ref name="Epic">[http://www.chargers-stats.com/Miami.html 1981 Chargers/Dolphins Playoff Game Honored] Chargers Stats. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> the most total yards by both teams (1,036),<ref name="Epic"> </ref> and most passing yards by both teams (809).<ref name="Epic"> </ref> 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 two blocked field goals, being helped off the field by two of his Chargers teammates has been replayed countless times. Kellen Winslow was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.<ref>[http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=233 KELLEN WINSLOW] Pro Football Hall of Fame. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref>
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]]. The temperature of nine degrees below zero with a wind-chill factor of minus 59 made this the coldest weather conditions for a title game in the history of the NFL.<ref>[http://www.referee.com/more/Samples/non_subscribers1206/free_feat_YAT.html Freezer Bowl] Referee. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> Chargers owner [[Eugene Klein]] tried to get the NFL and Bengals to postpone the game but he was turned down.
===1982-1993===
In a rematch of the 1981 [[American Football Conference Championship Game]] the Chargers played the Bengals in [[San Diego]] on December 20th, 1982. The Chargers would generate a total offensive yardage record of 661 (501 yards passing, 175 yards rushing) that still stands as the most in team history in defeating [[Cincinnati]], 50-34.<ref>San Diego Chargers 2006 Media Guide, p. 265. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> Klein cut salary in preparation of selling the team, sending defensive linemen [[Gary "Big Hands" Johnson]] and [[Louie Kelcher]] to San Francisco, where they would join Dean and offensive tackle [[Billy Shields]] for another 49ers championship in [[Super Bowl XXIV]].<ref name="SI"> </ref>
The Chargers made it back to the [[NFL playoffs, 1982-83|playoffs]] during the [[1982 NFL season|strike shortened 1982 season]], 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.<ref name="Chron80"> </ref> That loss began a slide for the Chargers, who from [[1983 NFL season|1983]] to [[1991 NFL season|1991]] failed to make the [[National Football League playoffs]] every season.
In [[1984 NFL season|1984]] [[Alex Spanos]] purchased a majority interest in San Diego from Klein on [[August 1]].<ref name="Chron80"> </ref> 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.<ref name="Chron80"> </ref> In [[1985 NFL season|1985]] [[Guard (American football)|guard]] [[Ed White (football)|Ed White]] set an NFL record by playing in 241 NFL games, most all-time among offensive linemen. [[Al Saunders]] was named the seventh head coach in Chargers history in 1986 following the resignation of Coryell.<ref name="Chron80"> </ref> 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 NFL season|1988]] Fouts retired after 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.<ref name="Chron80"> </ref> In [[1989 NFL season|1989]] [[Dan Henning]], a former Chargers quarterback, [[Washington Redskins]] assistant, and [[Atlanta Falcons]] head coach, was named the eighth head coach in Chargers history.<ref name="Chron80"> </ref> [[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.<ref name="Chron80"> </ref> After a three-year stint as Director of Football Operations, [[Steve Ortmayer]] was released after the season and replaced by [[Bobby Beathard]].<ref name="Chron80"> </ref>
Henning's tenure with the Chargers lasted three seasons as [[Bobby Ross]] was hired as head coach in [[1992 NFL season|1992]] and the Chargers acquired quarterback Stan Humphries in a trade with Redskins.<ref name="Chron90">[http://www.chargers.com/history/chronology/chronology-1990-1999.htm Chronology 1990-1999] Chargers.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> The Chargers would lose their first four games of the season and come back to become the first 0-4 team to make the [[NFL playoffs, 1992-93|playoffs]] as they won 11 of the last 12 games and clinched the AFC West title. Ross was named [[NFL Coach of the Year Award|NFL Coach of the Year]] for the Chargers' dramatic turnaround by [[Pro Football Weekly]].<ref name="Chron90"> </ref><ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/nfl-coach-of-the-year-award Pro Football Weekly NFL Coach of the Year] Answers.com. Accessed 1 July 2007.</ref> In the first round of the playoffs, the Chargers shut out the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] 17-0, but the Dolphins shut out the Chargers in the divisional playoffs to eliminate the Chargers. In [[1993 NFL season|1993]], the Chargers finished 8-8 (fourth in their division).<ref name="Chron90"> </ref>
===1994-2003===
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 (football player)|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]], [[defensive tackle]]s [[Reuben Davis]] and [[Shawn Lee (football player)|Shawn Lee]], [[defensive end]] [[Leslie O'Neal]] and an offense keyed by running back [[Natrone Means]], Humphries and Martin. The Chargers had upset victories over the Dolphins and Steelers in the AFC [[NFL playoffs, 1994-95|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 (football player)|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,<ref>[http://www.chargers-stats.com/1994.html SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 1994 ROSTER] Chargers Stats. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> and who hired coach Ross, who was named the NFL's smartest man by [[Sports Illustrated]],<ref>[http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10008180 Will history repeat in San Diego?] CBS Sportsline. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref> and became the only general manager to lead three different teams to the Super Bowl (Chargers, Dolphins, Redskins).<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/super/2004-01-29-bonus-cover_x.htm Super Bowl recipe requires many ingredients] USA Today. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref>
The Chargers follow-up year in [[1995 NFL season|1995]] didn't bring the same success of the previous season, but the team still managed to get into the [[NFL playoffs, 1995-96|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.<ref>[http://www.chargers-stats.com/1995.html SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 1995 ROSTER] Chargers-Stats. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref> In 1996, Running back [[Rodney Culver]] and his wife, Karen, were killed in the crash of [[ValuJet Airlines]] Flight 592 in the [[Florida]] [[Everglades]]. Culver was the second player in team history to die while on the active roster after [[David Griggs (American football)|David Griggs]] was killed in a one-car accident in [[Davie, Florida]] 11 months earlier.<ref name="Chron90"> </ref> 1997 would find Ross and Beathard at odds with one another and would result in Ross and his staff being released.<ref name="Chron90"> </ref> The Chargers selected [[Kevin Gilbride]] to become their new head coach.<ref name="Chron90"> </ref> 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.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n30_v221/ai_19640967 Chargers are passing on a run for success] The Sporting News. Accessed 6 August 2007.</ref> Beathard drafted quarterback [[Ryan Leaf]] after trading several players and draft choices to the [[Arizona Cardinals]] in order to move up to the second pick in the [[1998 NFL Draft]].{{Fact|date=August 2007}} The Chargers would see the team struggle in pass protection resulting in Humphries suffering several concussions and his retirement from the game.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20070504-9999-1s4chargers.html With new coaching staff, Chargers tackling change] San Diego Union-Tribune. Accessed 6 August 2007.</ref> Gilbright was replaced by interim head coach [[June Jones]], who was on the Chargers' staff before the hire.<ref name="Chron90"> </ref> Jones would leave the team at the end of the season to coach at the [[University of Hawaii]] and the Chargers would name former [[Oregon State University]] head coach [[Mike Riley]] as their new head coach.<ref name="Chron90"> </ref> 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.<ref name="SI"> </ref> His failure to be the player the team envisioned was seen as a black mark on the franchise and will be remembered by some as one of the worst draft/trades in the history of pro football.<ref name="SI"> </ref> Quarterback [[Jim Harbaugh]], who was acquired in 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 January 2001 by [[John Butler (American football)|John Butler]], former general manager of the Bills.<ref name="Chron00">[http://www.chargers.com/history/chronology/chronology-2000.htm Chronology 2000-] Chargers.com. Accessed 29 July 2007.</ref> From [[1996 NFL season|1996]] to [[2003 NFL season|2003]], the Chargers had eight-straight seasons where they were .500 or worse.<ref>[http://www.chargers-stats.com/years.html Chargers teams by years] Chargers-Stats. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref>
2001 saw [[Norv Turner]], the former head coach of the Redskins, named offensive coordinator by Riley.<ref name="Chron00"> </ref> Turner would go on to install the offense that he coached with the [[Dallas Cowboys]] under [[Ernie Zampese]], former offense coordinator during the Coryell era.<ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/nfl/halloffame/stories/080606dnspoaikmanspeechnew.7b2f1e7.html Transcript: Troy Aikman's Hall of Fame speech] Dallas Morning News. Accessed 6 August 2007.</ref> 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 (fifth 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]] .<ref name="Chron00"> </ref>
Hired as a replacement to Riley, [[Marty Schottenheimer]]'s Chargers squad opened the 2002 season with four straight victories making him the only coach in team history to win his first four games.<ref name="Chron00"> </ref>
Butler would succumb to cancer after a nine-month struggle in April of 2003.<ref name="Chron00"> </ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.chargers.com/team/front_office/aj-smith.htm?&modulePageId=7 A.J. Smith] Chargers.com. Accessed 9 August 2007.</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=17451 Junior Seau #55] NFLPLAYERS.com. Accessed 9 August 2007.</ref> Also in 2003, Tomlinson accumalated 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.<ref name="Chron00"> </ref> Tomlinson also became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes in the same season .<ref name="Chron00"> </ref>
===2004-2005===
Although the Chargers were tied with three other teams for the worst record of the 2003 NFL season, the league’s tie-breaking system gave San Diego the number one pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. With this pick, the Chargers selected Quarterback [[Eli Manning]] from the [[University of Mississippi]] despite Manning's stated desire to play elsewhere.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20040425-9999-1s25sullivan.html We hardly knew ye, Eli, thankfully so] San Diego Union-Tribune. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref> New York Giants general manager [[Ernie Accorsi]], who had been in trade negotiations for several weeks before the draft with the Chargers, selected quarterback [[Philip Rivers]] fourth and traded him along with additional draft picks to the Chargers.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/don_banks/04/24/banks.draftsummary/index.html Bolt of luck] Sports Illustrated. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref> Rivers was expected to compete for the starting quarterback job, but he held out of training camp in a contract dispute.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=1855828 San Diego threatening to take money off table] ESPN.com. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref> [[Drew Brees]], who received the majority of snaps at quarterback during Rivers' hold out, would retain the starting quarterback position.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20040902-2312-fbn-chargers-49ers.html Chargers end preseason with a bang against 49ers] San Diego Union-Tribune. Accessed 4 August 2007.</ref> The team earned a trip back to the post-season in [[2004 NFL season|2004]] by capturing the AFC West division title with a 12-4 regular season record. The Chargers entered the first round of the [[NFL playoffs, 2004-05|playoffs]] but were eliminated by the [[New York Jets]], who won in overtime 20-17. Rookie kicker [[Nate Kaeding]] missed a 40-yard field goal that would have advanced San Diego into the next round, thus opening the door for a Jets victory. Despite an abrupt ending to their season, Head Coach [[Marty Schottenheimer]] was named NFL Coach of the Year for the season, and Brees was named [[NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award|NFL Comeback Player of the Year]].
During the [[2005 NFL Draft]], the Chargers drafted linebacker [[Shawne Merriman]] with a draft pick acquired from the Giants in the Eli Manning trade, who would go on to become a selection to the [[2006 Pro Bowl]] and the 2005 Defensive [[NFL Rookie of the Year Award]] recipient. The team then used their second first round selection on defensive tackle [[Luis Castillo (football player)|Luis Castillo]].The Chargers started the season without tight end [[Antonio Gates]] as he was suspended two games by Smith for holding out in training camp.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/canepa/20050822-9999-1s22canepa.html Chargers GM shouldn't play hardball with football talent] San Diego Union-Tribune. Accessed 7 August 2007.</ref> The 2005 season saw [[LaDainian Tomlinson]]'s 18-game touchdown scoring streak end as Kaeding had a field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown in a 20-17 loss to the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] on the road.<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20051024-9999-1s24chargers.html Chargers second-guessing themselves after miscues lead to season's fourth close loss] San Diego Union-Tribune. Accessed 7 August 2007.</ref> Facing the 13-0 Colts on the road, the Chargers took a 16-0 lead into the third quarter of the game, but the Colts responded with 17 points of their own to take a 1-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Chargers would retake the lead on a field goal by Kaeding then scored again on an 83-yard touchdown run by [[Michael Turner]]. However a week later, the Chargers lost on the road to the Chiefs as an injured Tomlinson rushed for only 47 yards. The Chargers would go on to lose their season finale to the Broncos, with Brees suffering a dislocated shoulder to end the Chargers' 9-7 season.
{{for|the 2006 season|2006 San Diego Chargers season}}
{{for|the 2007 season|2007 San Diego Chargers season}}
==Logo and uniforms==
{{details|San Diego Chargers logos and uniforms}}
[[Image:AFC-Throwback-Uniform-SD.PNG|thumb|left|150px|San Diego Chargers uniform: 1990-2001]]
[[Image:ChargersAFLLogo.PNG|thumb|150px|right|Chargers' AFL logo 1966-1969]]
[[Image:Logo and script.PNG|thumb|150px|right|Chargers AFL logo]]
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 either Electric blue ("sky" or "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, and the player's number. At first, the team wore white pants before switching to gold in 1966.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
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. From 1978 through 1983, the Chargers wore their white jerseys at home, coinciding with the hiring of coach Don Coryell, 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.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
In 1985, the Chargers started using navy blue 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 gold trim. In 1990, the team started to wear navy pants with their white jerseys. The Chargers went with all-white combinations in [[1997 NFL season|1997]] and [[2001 NFL season|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.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
From the late 1980's to 2000, the Chargers traditionally wore their white uniforms during their two home games in preseason and then switched to their dark uniforms for the regular season. Beginning in 2001, the Chargers started wearing dark uniforms for preseason games and wear white for September home games. The reason for this is the fact that preseason games are played at night and September home games are played in the daytime. Despite August being a hotter month it is a greater advantage for the Chargers to wear white during September home games than August night games.
Since 2002, the Chargers have used the early-1960s uniform design as alternate jerseys, which many football fans (both of the Chargers and of other teams) wish to bring back full-time. Right now, the team will continue to use a variation of them (see below) as an alternate jersey.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
On [[March 9]], [[2007]], the Chargers unveiled on their web site their first uniform redesign since 1988. The team formally unveiled this new uniform set, which will mix old and new styles, in a private team-only event on [[March 14]]. Navy blue remains the primary color on the home jersey, but the familiar lightning bolt was reverted to yellow, but now with navy and Collegiate (powder) blue trim, the latter color a nod to the 1960s uniforms and has been moved to the sides of the shoulders from the top, and includes a new numbering font and word mark in white with yellow and light blue trim. The pants also will have a redesigned lightning bolt in yellow with light 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 with the newly revamped bolt in yellow with navy, white and light blue trim and white pants. The road white jerseys with navy pants and alternate light blue jerseys to be worn with white pants have also been redesigned with the new scheme.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
==Season-by-season records==
{{main|San Diego Chargers seasons}}
==Players of note==
===Current roster===
{{San Diego Chargers roster}}
===Pro Football Hall of Famers===
* [[Lance Alworth]]
* [[Fred Dean]]
* [[Dan Fouts]]
* [[Sid Gillman]]
* [[Charlie Joiner]]
* [[Deacon Jones]]
* [[John Mackey (American football)|John Mackey]]
* [[Ron Mix]]
* [[Johnny Unitas]]
* [[Kellen Winslow]]
===Retired numbers===
* '''14''' [[Dan Fouts]], Quarterback, 1973-87
* '''19''' [[Lance Alworth]], Wide receiver, 1962-1970
===Chargers Hall of Fame===
The Chargers have a team Hall of Fame with the following members:
* 56 [[Emil Karas]], Linebacker, 1960-66, inducted 1976
* 55 [[Frank Buncom]], Linebacker, 1962-68, inducted 1976
* 53 [[Bob Laraba]], Linebacker, 1960-61, inducted 1976
* 38 [[Jacque MacKinnon]], Running back, 1961-69, inducted 1976
* 19 [[Lance Alworth]], Wide receiver, 1962-70, inducted 1977
* 74 [[Ron Mix]], Offensive tackle, 1960-69, inducted 1978
* 23 [[Paul Lowe]], Running back, 1960-68, inducted 1979
* [[Barron Hilton]], team founder-owner, 1960-66, inducted 1980
* 22 [[Keith Lincoln]], Running back, 1961-68, inducted 1980
* 77 [[Ernie Ladd]], Defensive tackle, 1961-65, inducted 1981
* 78 [[Walt Sweeney]], Guard, 1963-69, inducted 1981
* 21 [[John Hadl]], Quarterback, 1962-72, inducted 1983
* 50 [[Chuck Allen]], Linebacker, 1961-69, inducted 1984
* 27 [[Gary Garrison]], Wide receiver, 1966-76, inducted 1985
* [[Sid Gillman]], head coach, 1961-69 & 1971, inducted 1985
* 86 [[Earl Faison]], Defensive end, 1961-66, inducted 1986
* 14 [[Dan Fouts]], Quarterback, 1973-87, inducted 1993
* 18 [[Charlie Joiner]], Wide receiver, 1976-86, inducted 1993
* [[Don Coryell]], head coach, 1978-86, inducted 1994
* 45 [[Speedy Duncan]], Cornerback, 1964-70, inducted 1995
* 70 [[Russ Washington]], Offensive tackle, 1968-82, inducted 1995
* 80 [[Kellen Winslow]], Tight end, 1979-87, inducted 1995
* [[George Pernicano]], team executive, since 1961, inducted 1996
* 6 [[Rolf Benirschke]], Kicker, 1978-87, inducted 1997
* 22 [[Gill Byrd]], Cornerback 1983-92, inducted 1998
* 79 [[Gary "Big Hands" Johnson]], Defensive tackle, 1975-84, inducted 1999
* 63 [[Doug Wilkerson]], Guard, 1971-84, inducted 2000
* 89 [[Wes Chandler]], Wide receiver, 1981-87, inducted 2001
* 12 [[Stan Humphries]], Quarterback, 1992-97, inducted 2002
* [[Bobby Ross]], head coach, 1992-96, inducted 2002
* 74 [[Louie Kelcher]], Defensive tackle, 1975-83, inducted 2003
* 62 [[Don Macek]], Center, 1976-89, inducted 2004
* 67 [[Ed White (football)|Ed White]], Guard, 1978-85, inducted 2004
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 [[college football|collegiate]] teams.
===Other notable alumni===
*[[Gary Anderson (running back)|Gary Anderson]] - Running Back
*[[Darren Bennett (football player)|Darren Bennett]] - Punter
*[[David Boston]] - Wide Receiver
*[[Drew Brees]] - Quarterback
*[[Stan Brock]] - Offensive Line
*[[Willie Buchanon]] - Cornerback
*[[Marion Butts]] - Running Back
*[[John Michael Carney|John Carney]] - Kicker
*[[Darren Carrington]] - Safety
*[[Curtis Conway]] - Wide Receiver
*[[Rodney Culver]] - Running Back
*[[Fred Dean]] - Defensive End
*[[Tim Dwight]] - Wide Receiver
*[[Donnie Edwards]] - Linebacker
*[[Miller Farr]]
*[[Doug Flutie]] - Quarterback
*[[Mike Fuller]] - Safety
*[[Dennis Gibson]] - Linebacker
*[[Darrien Gordon]] - Cornerback
*[[Jim Harbaugh]] - Quarterback
*[[Ronnie Harmon]] - Running Back
*[[James Harris]]
*[[Rodney Harrison]] - Safety
*[[John Jefferson]] - Wide Receiver
*[[Jack Kemp]] - Quarterback
*[[Linden King]]
*[[Woodrow Lowe]]
*[[Paul Maguire]]
*[[Tony Martin (football player)|Tony Martin]] - Wide Receiver
*[[Natrone Means]] - Running Back
*[[Eric Metcalf]] - Return Specialist/Wide Receiver
*[[Chuck Muncie]] - Running Back
*[[Leslie O'Neal]] - Defensive End
*[[Dickie Post]]
*[[Gary Plummer (football)|Gary Plummer]] - Linebacker
*[[Alfred Pupunu]] - Tight End
*[[Stanley Richard]] - Safety
*[[Sean Salisbury]] - Quarterback
*[[Junior Seau]] - Linebacker
*[[Billy Shields]]
*[[Billy Ray Smith]] - Linebacker
*[[Marcellus Wiley]] - Defensive End
*[[Don Woods]]
*[[Ernie Wright]] - Offensive Line
*[[Wilbur Young]]
*[[Ryan Leaf]] - Quarterback
==Coaches of note==
===Head coaches===
*[[Sid Gillman]] (1960-1969)
*[[Charlie Waller (football coach)|Charlie Waller]] (1969-1970)
*[[Harland Svare]] (1971-1973)
*[[Ron Waller]] (1973)
*[[Tommy Prothro]] (1974-1978)
*[[Don Coryell]] (1978-1986)
*[[Al Saunders]] (1986-1988)
*[[Dan Henning]] (1989-1991)
*[[Bobby Ross]] (1992-1996)
*[[Kevin Gilbride]] (1997-1998)
*[[June Jones]] (interim) (1998)
*[[Mike Riley]] (1999-2001)
*[[Marty Schottenheimer]] (2002-2006)
*[[Norv Turner]] (2007-Present)
===Current staff===
{{San Diego Chargers staff}}
==Radio and television==
The Chargers' flagship station is [[KIOZ]] 105.3FM, commonly known as "Rock 1053." [[Josh Lewin]] and [[Hank Bauer (football player)|Hank Bauer]] comprise the broadcast team. Past Chargers radio broadcasters have included [[Tom Kelly (sportscaster)|Tom Kelly]], [[Lee Hamilton (sports)|Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton]], [[Dan Rowe]] and [[Ted Leitner]]. Most preseason games are televised on [[KFMB-TV|KFMB]] in San Diego and [[KCBS-TV|KCBS]] in Los Angeles. The announcers were [[Ron Pitts]] and Billy Ray Smith.
Since the Los Angeles market is within the Chargers' 75-mile radius (which prohibits broadcasts of Charger games on national radio during the regular season), the Chargers Radio Network has a secondary flagship station for Los Angeles: [[KLAC]] AM-570, in Los Angeles and Orange County. The previous Los Angeles flagship was [[KSPN]] AM-710 and before that, [[KMPC]] AM-1540 for several years.
[[Dennis Packer]], the public address announcer of all USC football games at the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]], serves as the P.A. announcer of all Charger home games at [[Qualcomm Stadium]].
==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.chargers.com/ San Diego Chargers official web site]
*[http://www.chargers.com/history/uniforms-visual.htm San Diego Chargers Jersey Evolution]
*[http://www.bolttalk.com/ San Diego Chargers Fan Blog & Forum]
{{San Diego Chargers}}
{{1963 San Diego Chargers}}
{{NFL}}
{{AFL (1960 - 1969)}}
{{San Diego Sports}}
[[Category:San Diego Chargers| ]]
[[Category:Sports clubs established in 1960]]
[[Category:American Football League]]
[[Category:National Football League teams]]
[[Category:Sports in San Diego, California]]
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