The history of the San Diego Chargers begins in 1959 with the foundation of the professional American football team (now known as the Los Angeles Chargers) when it was made a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). The team played the 1960 season in Los Angeles and moved to San Diego the following year, where they played from 1961 until 2016. In 2014, when the Chargers moved their practice facility to Orange County, the Chargers removed all references to the city of San Diego from their website and merchandise. The Chargers returned to Los Angeles in 2017.
Video History of the San Diego Chargers
AFL era (1961 - 1970)
1961 - 1966
In 1959, the team began as the "Los Angeles Chargers" when they entered the American Football League (AFL), joining seven other teams: the Denver Broncos, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, New York Titans, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills, and Boston Patriots. The Chargers' first owner was Barron Hilton, the son of Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotels corporation. Barron Hilton held a contest to find a name for his team. The prize was a trip to Mexico. A man from Hollywood named Gerald Courtney, submitted the name "Chargers" and won. Conrad Hilton said, "I liked [the name] because they were yelling "charge" and sounding the bugle at Dodger Stadium and at USC games".
The team's first general manager was Frank Leahy, a former University of Notre Dame football coach. The team's first head coach was Sid Gillman from the Los Angeles Rams. His strength lay in offense innovation and he was later honoured in the Hall of Fame. Gillman (87-57-6) signed a contract with the team for three years. When Frank Leahy resigned due to poor health, Gillman became the general manager in addition to his coaching role.
The Chargers planned to play at the Rose Bowl, but instead, signed a lease to play at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The team played in the AFL for ten years until that league merged with the longer standing National Football League (NFL).
In the early years, the wide receiver, Lance Alworth made 543 receptions for 10,266 yards in his career of eleven AFL and NFL seasons. He made a record at ninety-six consecutive games with a reception. With players such as Alworth, Paul Lowe, Keith Lincoln and John Hadl, the Chargers reached the AFL championship game five times and won it once.
Relocation to San Diego
The Chargers spent one season in Los Angeles then, in 1961 moved to Balboa Stadium in Balboa Park, San Diego. By then, George Pernicano (1917 - 2016) of Detroit, had become a minor shareholder in the team.
In the 1961 season, the team's defense made forty-nine pass interceptions. The term, "Fearsome Foursome" described the 1961 Chargers' defensive players' lineup. The anchoring players were Earl Faison and Ernie Ladd. The "Fearsome Foursome" phrase was later used by other NFL teams. In 1961, the Chargers lost the championship to Houston by ten points to three with 29,556 patrons attending the game at Balboa Stadium.
In 1962, the team won four games and lost ten, including the final nine games of the season. This was mostly due to injuries.
In the 1963 season, eight Chargers players scored in the final week. Paul Lowe rushed over 183 yards, scoring 2 touchdowns on 17 carries. In the championship game, the Chargers beat Denver 58 points to 20 and became the AFL West champions. The season ended a week late due to a postponement of games after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (died November 22, 1963). The Chargers won the 1963 AFL title when they defeated the Boston Patriots 51 points to 10. Spectators numbering 30,127 attended the game at Balboa Stadium. Keith Lincoln's effort made up 349 yards of the total offense.
In 1964, the Chargers played the New York Jets resulting in 17 points each. 50,222 spectators attended the game at Shea Stadium, New York. The game earned $46,828 in entrance fees. On Thanksgiving Day, Buffalo defeated the Chargers 27 points to 24 at Balboa Stadium. The attendance was 34,865 spectators. The Chargers won their fourth AFL West title by defeating the Jets 38 points to 3 before 25,753 spectators at Balboa Stadium. Lance Alworth left the game with a knee injury, and the fullback, Keith Lincoln was sidelined in the first quarter with a fractured rib. At the 1964 championship game in Buffalo, the Chargers were beaten 20 points to 7. The AFL teams signed a five-year television contract with the National Broadcasting Company for $36 million to commence in 1965.
On December 12, 1965, San Diego (9-2-3) won their fifth AFL West title by defeating Houston 37 points to 26. Lowe came first and Alworth second in the player chosen AFL Player of the Year competition. Buffalo defeated the Chargers 23 points to nil in front of 30,361 spectators at Balboa Stadium for the AFL championship. At half time, new automobile, the "Charger," was introduced by Chrysler officials.
In 1966, Hilton sold the Chargers to a 21 member group of business executives for $10 million. The leading investors were Eugene V. Klein and Sam Schulman. The Chargers were third in the AFL West season, 7-6-1.
In 1967, the Chargers and the Rams played three preseason games at the San Diego Stadium. The AFL and the NFL planned to merge during the 1970 season.
1967 - 1970
In August 1967, the Chargers moved to the newly constructed San Diego Stadium (Qualcomm Stadium). In 1967, the Chargers played the NFL team, the Detroit Lions, in a pre-season game with 45,988 spectators. Detroit defeated the Chargers 38 points to 17. In the fifth week of the season, Leslie "Speedy" Duncan had 203 yards in returns, 35 yards on a fumble recovery for a touchdown, 68 yards on four kickoff returns, and 100 yards for a touchdown. In the Charger's game against Kansas City, the team won 45 points to 31. In this game, the team's combined effort was 897 yards offense and 622 yards in returns. In the eleventh week, the Chargers were defeated by Oakland 41 points to 21 with 52,661 spectators at the game. In addition, 2,018 viewers watched the game on closed-circuit television in the San Diego Sports Arena.
In 1968, the Chargers played a first pre-season game at the San Diego Stadium against the NFL team, the San Francisco 49ers. The Chargers won 30 points to 18 before 39,553 spectators. "Speedy" Duncan set an AFL record with a 95 yard punt return for a touchdown in a game where the Chargers were defeated by the New York Jets 37 points to 15. The Chargers came third in the West league, winning nine games and losing five. The player, John Hadl led the 1968 West league with 440 pass attempts, 208 completions, 3,473 yards taken and 27 touchdown passes. and in passes intercepted.
In the 1969 season, the Chargers lost their first two games. They then defeated the Jets in an at home game with 54,042 spectators. Joe Namath played for the Jets. Hadl and Alworth played for the Chargers. Hadl made a professional record with a pass reception in his ninety-sixth consecutive game. The Chargers won the next three games and then lost four. Their last game was against Buffalo where they won 45 points to six. The team finished with eight wins and six losses and no chance of playing in the championship games. Charlie Waller, the offensive backfield coach was named head coach. Gillman had resigned after the season's ninth game due to illness but did continue as the team's general manager.
1970 - 1981 (Joining the NFL)
In 1970, the San Diego Chargers settled into the AFC West division following the NFL merger with the AFL. The years after the merger were difficult for the Chargers. Charlie Waller took over as the head coach, but after finishing 5-6-3, he stepped down, and Gillman returned to the job. Gilman resigned midway through the1971 season, which ended with six wins and eight losses.
In 1972, Duane Thomas and Deacon Jones joined the team which finished four wins, nine losses and one draw. In 1973, Johnny Unitas, a quarterback from the Colts joined the Chargers. Unitas was almost 40 and had chronic injuries. He played three games and then was replaced by Dan Fouts, a newcomer to the league. The Chargers made two wins, eleven losses and one draw.
In the 1974 season, Fouts was the starting quarterback. Don Woods joined the team. During one game, Woods ran over 1,000 yards in a 5-9 finish. However, in 1975, Woods and Fouts disappointed and the team finished with two wins and twelve losses.
In 1976, the Chargers began with a 3 win start but finished with six wins to eight losses. In 1977, the Chargers again began strongly. However, the team lost four out of five games. Fouts was removed and the team finished with seven wins and seven losses.
1978
In 1978, the NFL increased the season schedule to sixteen games. The rules were changed so that wide receivers could no longer block defensive backs more than five yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
In the opening game of the season, the Chargers beat Seattle 24 points to 20. On September 10, 1978, the second game was played against the Oakland Raiders at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego. The game became known as the "Holy Roller" game, or, the "Immaculate Deception" because the Raiders made a game winning play. With 10 seconds left in the game, the Raiders had possession of the ball at the Chargers' 14-yard line. The Chargers were ahead 20 points to 14. The Raiders quarterback, Ken Stabler, took the snap but was about to be sacked by the Chargers' line-backer, 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. The 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 points to 20.
The Chargers' fans saw the fumble as an incomplete pass or an intentional grounding. In the remaining minutes of the game, the teams battled for the ball towards the end zone where the Raiders ultimately recovered it for a touchdown .
The Chargers lost their third game to Denver then in week four, the Chargers played Green Bay, Wisconsin Packers in an interconference match in San Diego. At the kickoff, the temperature was around 102 °F (38 °C). The Packers won 24 points to 3. After this loss, the Chargers' head coach, Tommy Prothro was dismissed. He was replaced by Don Coryell of the St. Louis Cardinals.
In New England, the Chargers won their first game under Coryell's coaching. When they returned, San Diego was still recovering from the recent PSA Flight 182. The Chargers' defeating Denver in San Diego was morale boosting for the city. Coryell coached the team in his "Air Coryell" offense: Fouts threw to a trio of receivers (Charlie Joiner, John Jefferson and tight end Kellen Winslow). The Chargers won nine games and lost seven, thus missing the playoffs.
1979
In 1979, The Sporting News named the Chargers' team general manager, John Sanders, the NFL Executive of the Year. Fouts set an NFL record by playing four consecutive 300-yard passing games. His achievement was established in a game in which he threw over 303 yards against the Oakland Raiders. The Chargers defeated the New Orleans Saints 35 points to nil and proceeded to the playoffs, the first time in fourteen years. On December 17, 1979, the Chargers won the AFC West division title by defeating the Denver Broncos 17 points to 7 before a national Monday Night Football television audience and their home crowd. In the divisional round, the Houston Oilers defeated the Chargers 17 points to 14. Ron Mix became the second AFL player and second Charger to be nominated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The announcement was made during the half-time of the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl.
1980
In 1980, the running back, Chuck Muncie was traded to the team. Fouts set a club record with 444 yards passing in the Chargers' 44 points to 7 defeat of the New York Giants. Kellen Winslow caught 10 passes for 171 yards. The Chargers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 26 points to 17, winning the AFC West title. They finished the season with eleven wins and 5 losses, a record for the team.
Jefferson (1,340), Winslow (1,290), and Joiner (1,132) became the first three players on the same team to have 1,000 yards receiving in a season. The Chargers' defense led the NFL in sacks (60). The defensive frontline included the 1975 Chargers' draftees Fred Dean, Gary "Big Hands" Johnson and Louie Kelcher. Together with Leroy Jones, these players were known as the "Bruise Brothers".
The Chargers topped the AFC West season with a record of 11 wins and 5 losses. In the playoffs, the Chargers defeated the Buffalo Bills 20 points to 14. However, they did not proceed to the Super Bowl XV due to a loss to the championship side, the Oakland Raiders, 34 points to 27.
1981
In 1981, the Chargers won their third AFC West title with 10 wins and 6 losses during the season. After the division titles of the 1979 and 1980 seasons, contract disputes arose. Klein, the team owner, refused to renegotiate players' contracts. The Chargers' owner traded the wide receiver, John Jefferson, to the Green Bay Packers after a salary rise could not be agreed. Jefferson was replaced by Wes Chandler. Defensive end, Dean was traded to the 49ers again after a pay dispute. Dean said his wage was similar to that of his brother, a truck driver. After playing eleven games of the season, Dean went on to become the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year. In 1980 and 1981, without Dean, the Chargers no longer had the most passing yards in the NFL.
"I can't say how much it [Dean's leaving] affected us, because we did make it to the AFC championship game", said Johnson on the loss of fellow lineman Dean. "But I could say if we had more pass rush from the corner, it might've been different."
In the 1981 playoffs divisional round, the Chargers defeated the Miami Dolphins 41 points to 38 at the Miami Orange Bowl where the temperature on the humid day was 85 °F (29.4 °C). The game became known as the "The Epic in Miami". ESPN journalists named the epic the best game in NFL history. Both teams showed strong offense. The Chargers were led by Fouts who made an NFL single season record of 4,802 yards and 33 touchdowns.
This game set records for the most points scored in a playoff game (79 points); the greatest total yards by both teams (1,036 yards); and the most passing yards by both teams (809 yards).
The Chargers placekicker, Rolf Benirschke kicked the winning 29-yard field goal after 13 minutes and 52 seconds overtime. The tight end, Kellen Winslow, made 13 receptions for 166 yards, a touchdown and one blocked field goal. He became exhausted and was assisted from the field by his team mates.
At the [[AFC Championship Game|championship game] the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Chargers 27 points to 7. The game became known as the "Freezer Bowl". The temperature was a record low -9° with a wind-chill factor of -59°.
Maps History of the San Diego Chargers
1982 - 1993
During the strike-shortened 1982 season, Fouts averaged 320 yards passing per game. At that time, that average was a record. The Chargers defeated San Francisco 41 points to 37 and Cincinnati 50 points to 34. In each game, Fouts threw for over 400 yards. In the game against Cincinnati on December 20, 1982, the Chargers' made 501 yards passing and 175 yards rushing. Chandler set a record of 129 yards receiving per game. The Chargers reached the playoffs.
In 1984, Klein decreased salaries in preparation for the team's sale. The defensive linemen, Johnson and Kelcher, left for San Francisco. On August 1, 1984, Alex Spanos purchased a majority interest in the Chargers. Benirschke was named "Miller Man of the Year". Joiner set an NFL record with his 650th pass reception in the fourth quarter of the game at Pittsburgh.
In 1985 the guard, Ed White set an NFL record by playing in 241 NFL games.Lionel "Little Train" James, a 5' 6",171 pound running back, set an NFL record of 2,535 all-purpose yards and of 1,027 receiving yards by a running back.
Changing head coaches
During the 1986 San Diego Chargers season, following the resignation of Coryell, Al Saunders was named head coach.
In 1987, Joiner retired to become the Chargers' receivers' coach. The team finished the season with 8 wins and 7 losses including losses in the last six games. In 1988 Fouts retired after a 15 year career. 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, the number fourteen was retired at halftime at the "Dan Fout's Day" game in San Diego.
In the 1989 San Diego Chargers season, Dan Henning, a former Chargers' quarterback, Washington Redskins assistant, and Atlanta Falcons head coach, became the Chargers' head coach. A first year running back, Marion Butts, set a club record with 39 carries and a team rookie record of 176 yards in the Chargers' 20 points to 13 win against Kansas City. Steve Ortmayer, the director of football operations for the past three years, left and was replaced by Bobby Beathard.
In the 1992 San Diego Chargers season, Bobby Ross became the Chargers' head coach. The quarterback, Stan Humphries was obtained in a trade with the Washington Redskins. The Chargers finished the season with eleven wins and five losses and won the AFC West title. Ross was named AFC Coach of the Year. In the Wild Card Round, the Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 17 points to nil. Then, they lost to the Miami Dolphins in the divisional round, 31 points to nil.
In 1993, the Chargers won and lost eight games, finishing fourth in the division.
1994 - 2003
1994: AFC Champions
In the 1994 season, the Chargers won eleven season games and lost five. The quarterback, Stan Humphries, and the wide receiver, Tony Martin, worked together to make a 99-yard touchdown completion. The players contributing to the Chargers' 1994 AFC West Division championship included the line-backer, Junior Seau, Reuben Davis and Shawn Lee who made defensive tackles and defensive end, Leslie O'Neal, and running back Natrone Means, Humphries and Martin who made offensive moves. In the playoffs, the Chargers unexpectedly defeated the Dolphins 22 points to 21 in the divisional round and the Steelers 17 points to 13 in the AFC championship game. The Chargers were defeated by the 49ers 49 points to 26 at Super Bowl XXIX.
Despite the 1994 Super Bowl loss, Beathard, who was responsible for the team line-up and the choice of coach, was named the "NFL Smartest Man" by Sports Illustrated.
The Chargers' 1995 season was less successful. The team reached the playoffs with 9 wins and 7 losses then were defeated by the Indianapolis Colts 35 points to 20.
1996 - 2003
During the 1996 season, running back Rodney Culver was killed in the crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Florida Everglades. David Griggs had been killed in a single motor vehicle accident in Davie, Florida, eleven months earlier.
In the 1997 season, Beathard dismissed Ross. Kevin Gilbride became the Chargers' new head coach. Gilbride encouraged a more open passing attack, a major change in offensive style. After trades ofplayers and draft choices to the Arizona Cardinals, Beathard selected quarterback, Ryan Leaf, with his second pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. However, due to poor play and attitude, Leaf was dismissed after the 2000 season. Jim Harbaugh, who was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional draft choice in 2000, became the Chargers' starting quarterback.
In the 1998 season, the Chargers won 5 games and lost 11. Rodney Harrison said, "If I had to go through another year like that, I'd probably quit playing." Humphries suffered several concussions due to a lack of pass protection and retired. When Gilbride left, he was replaced by an interim head coach, June Jones, a member of the Chargers' staff. Jones left the team at the end of the 1998 season to coach at the University of Hawaii. The Chargers' new head coach was Mike Riley from the Oregon State University.
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 consecutive seasons where they finished with just as many, if not more losses than wins.
In 2001, Riley chose Norv Turner, the former head coach of the Redskins, as his offensive coordinator. Turner coached an offense method which he had employed at the Dallas Cowboys. The Chargers signed the former Bills' quarterback, Doug Flutie. They also traded the team's first overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons in return for the first-round selection (fifth overall) and third-round selection in the same draft. In addition the Chargers obtained the 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 the Texas Christian University running back LaDainian Tomlinson and the Purdue University quarterback Drew Brees.
For the 2002 season, Marty Schottenheimer replaced Riley. Under Schottenheimer, the Chargers won their first four games. Butler would succumb to cancer after a nine-month struggle in April 2003. Butler was replaced by A. J. Smith, who was named the Executive Vice President and General Manager.
In 2003, the Chargers traded Seau to the Dolphins for a draft pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Before he left, Seau's teammates awarded him the Emil Karas Award for the team's Most Inspirational Player. Tomlinson accumulated 195 total yards from scrimmage in a late season game against the Packers to raise his season total to 2,011. He became the first Chargers player 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 were the host team for the Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXVII.
During the 2005 NFL Draft, the Chargers drafted key rookies who would help carry the momentum from the team's 2004 season. The Chargers used their first pick to gain Shawne Merriman from the University of Maryland. Their next picks included Luis Castillo from Northwestern University, Vincent Jackson from Northern Colorado, Darren Sproles from Kansas State, Wesley Britt from Alabama University, Wes Sims from Oklahoma University, and the center, Scott Mruczkowski from Bowling Green State.
The Chargers lost their first game of the 2005 season 28 points to 24 to the Dallas Cowboys at home and their second game, away, 20 points to 17 to the Denver Broncos. Through Tomlinson's efforts, the Chargers won their third game, which was a home game against the New York Giants. Tomlinson took 220 yards in total, 3 rushing touchdowns, and threw for a touchdown helping the team to win 45 points to 23. The Chargers then defeated the New England Patriots 41 points to 17. At their fifth game, which was against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chargers wore their throwback uniforms. The Steelers defeated the Chargers 24 points to 22 after Jeff Reed made a 40 yard field goal. The Chargers won the sixth game against the Oakland Raiders, 27 points to 14. In the seventh game, against the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Chargers were leading 17 points to 13 till late in the game. Then, the Chargers' field goal was blocked and returned 65 yards by Matt Ware. This led to the game winning touch down for the Eagles.
After winning three games and losing four, the Chargers won the following five games. These included an at home game against the Kansas City Chiefs won 28 points to 20 and an away game against the New York Jets won at 31 points to 26. The tenth week was a bye. Next, the Chargers won at home in their throw-back uniforms against the Buffalo Bills, 48 points to 10. Then, the team won against the Washington Redskins, 23 points to 17 in over time and the Oakland Raiders, 34 points to 10 at home.
The Chargers were defeated 23 points to 21 by the Miami Dolphins. On December 18, 2005, the Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 26 points to 17 who had won their previous 13 games. The KKansas City Chiefs then defeated the Chargers 20 point to 7 and the team was officially eliminated from AFC playoffs. The Chargers lost their final game of the season 23 points to 7 to the Denver Broncos. The Chargers completed the 2005 season with 9 wins and 7 losses.
2006 - 2012
In the 2006 season, the Chargers lost two games, one to the Ravens and the other to the Chiefs. They finished the season with fourteen wins and two losses. They were seeded first in the AFC playoffs. In the divisional round, the Chargers were defeated by the Patriots 24 points to 21. After the season, Schottenheimer left and Norv Turner became the head coach.
In the 2007 season, the Chargers won eleven games and lost five. In the playoffs, the Chargers defeated the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts. In the AFC championship game, the Chargers were defeated by the Patriots.
In the 2008 season, the Chargers won and lost eight games each. They won the AFC West title over a weak field. The Chargers defeated the Colts in the wild card round then lost their game against the Steelers in the divisional round.
In the 2009 season the Chargers first won two games and lost three. In the rest of the season the Chargers won each game including those against the NFC East teams. Having lost a game against the Broncos, the Chargers defeated them in the eleventh week, 32 points to 3. In the twelfth week, the Chargers defeated the Cleveland Browns 30 points to 23. In this game, LaDainian Tomlinson broke Jim Brown's rushing record and was congratulated by him. The Chargers secured another division title and became the AFC second seed. The Chargers then played and lost 17 points to 14 to the Jets at home on January 17, 2010.
2010 - 2012
Prior to the 2010 season Tomlinson departed. He was aging and an expensive contract. The Chargers lost the first game to Kansas City, 21 points to 14. The second game was at home was a win against the Jaguars. However, low ticket sales resulted in a blackout. The third game, an away game, was a 27 points to 20 loss against Seattle. The fourth game was a win for the Chargers against the Cardinals, 41 points to 10 at home. There was blackout during the game. Then in the next game, after many wins against the Raiders, the Chargers were defeated by them. The Chargers won the next four games then again were defeated by the Raiders at home, 28 points to 13. After a game where they tied with the Raiders, the Chargers were defeated by the Bengals 34 points to 20 and did not proceed to the AFC West title, the first time since 2005. The Chargers defeated Denver and ended the season with 9 wins and 7 losses.
The Chargers finished the season as the eighth team in NFL history to rank first in overall offense (395.6 yards/game), and overall defense (271.6 yards/game). Despite these statistics, the team did not make the playoffs, a situation only shared with the 1953 Eagles team. The Chargers ended the season second to the Colts in passing yards per game (282.4), second to the Patriots in points scored per game (27.6), first in passing yards allowed per game (177.8), fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (93.8), and tied for second in sacks (47). In contrast, the Chargers gave up the most punt return yards per game (18.9) and gave 29 turnovers. Rivers had a career highlight of 4,710 yards, 294 yards passing per game, 66 percent completion; 30 TDs, 13 INTs and a 101.8 passer rating. Tolbert made 11 rushing TDs and Gates made 10 receiving TDs. Phillips made 11 sacks.
The Chargers started the 2011 season with a four wins and one loss to the Patriots. Losses continued to the Jets, Chiefs, Packers, Raiders, the Bears and Broncos. Offensive and the defensive players received injuries. On December 5, 2011, the Chargers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars.Three wins followed including a solid defeat of the Ravens. The Chargers were then defeated 38 points to 10 by the Detroit Lions. At seven wins and eight losses, the Chargers failed to reach the playoffs. After a 38 points to 26 win against the Raiders in the seventeenth week, the Chargers finished the season with eight wins and losses each. In the AFC West league, the Chargers tied in first place with Oakland and Denver. In a tie breaker, Denver defeated the Chargers in the Division title.
During a game on October 21, 2012, a line judge saw what he thought was a suspicious substance, such as a banned adhesive, on hand towels used by the Charger's players. However, on November 7, the NFL announced that the Chargers did not cheat. Even so, the team was fined $20,000. After the 2012 season where the Chargers again failed to reach the payoffs, Smith and Turner were dismissed.
2013 - 2016
On January 9, 2013, the Chargers announced that Tom Telesco, former Vice President of Football Operations at the Indianapolis Colts, would become the Chargers' General Manager. On January 15, 2013, Broncos offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, was hired as the Chargers' new head coach and Ken Whisenhunt as offensive coordinator. D. J. Fluker, Manti Te'o, and Keenan Allen were selected in the first three rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Under McCoy, the Chargers won two and lost three games. The team then defeated Indianapolis in the Monday Night Football and then Jacksonville. After a bye, the Chargers won four of the next five games. They then won all the remaining regular season games. Combined with the losses from other AFC teams, the Chargers played a wild card playoff after 9 wins and 7 losses. On the 50th anniversary of the 1963 AFL Championship, the Chargers beat Cincinnati 27 points to 10. In the wild card payoff, Denver defeated the Chargers 24 points to 17.
On January 13, 2014, Ken Whisenhunt departed for the Titans. On January 14, 2014, the Chargers announced Frank Reich, the quarterback coach, would replace Whisenhunt as the team's offensive coordinator. The Chargers also brought back Donald Butler, Chad Rinehart, and Darrell Stuckey; dismissed Derek Cox; and engaged the running back Donald Brown. The Chargers selected Jason Verrett, Jeremiah Attaochu, and Chris Watt in the first three rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft.
In September and October 2014, the Chargers won five games after losing their first game of the season and then lost a further three games. Some players sustained injuries and the team finished the season with nine wins and seven losses. The Chargers did not qualify to enter the playoffs. 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 30th) and yards per rush (21st to 31st). It was the second time in three years the team had finished second-to-last in yards per carry. In the AFC West division the Chargers finished the season with two wins and four losses.
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 heartbreakers 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 2016 Season was dominated by the team's last attempt to remain in San Diego, and was the last for head coach Mike McCoy. The Chargers drafted Defensive End Joey Bosa with the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 Draft. Other selections included Hunter Henry, Max Tuerk, Joshua Perry, Jatavis Brown, Drew Kaser, Derek Watt, and Donavon Clark.
The Chargers started their season in Kansas City, against the Chiefs. The Chargers held a 21-3 lead at Halftime. The Chiefs rallied back in the Second Half to beat the team 33-27.
The Jacksonville Jaguars faced the Chargers in their final home opener. The Chargers had lost Running back Danny Woodhead, who tore his ACL, thus shutting him down for the remainder of the season. The Chargers would beat them 38-14 however. The Chargers would lose three straight to the Colts, Saints, and Raiders, before picking up a 21-13 victory against the Denver Broncos and a 33-30 Victory against the Atlanta Falcons. The Chargers only won two more game after this two-game winning streak, finishing the season 5-11. Among their notable losses, including a 31-24 loss to the Dolphins, just five days after Measure C failed, and their final game, a 37-27 loss to Kansas City in San Diego. They also lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, resulting in Cleveland's only win of their season.
Move to Los Angeles
Chargers owner Dean Spanos tried for fifteen years to get San Diego to build a new stadium for him to replace the aging Qualcomm Stadium, warning that he would move the team to Los Angeles if one was not built. Negotiations to get the city of San Diego to pick up most of the cost were unsuccessful.
As attorney and team spokesperson Mark Fabiani continually bashed the local San Diego city government's efforts to negotiate a stadium replacement, St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke announced in January 2015 his intention to build a new stadium in Inglewood, California. The Chargers decided 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. The team soon announced a stadium proposal in Carson, California, in partnership with the Oakland Raiders, their AFC West divisional rival.
One day after the conclusion of the 2015 regular season, the Chargers, Rams, and Raiders all filed applications to relocate to Los Angeles. On January 12, 2016, the NFL owners voted 30-2 to allow the Rams to return to Los Angeles, approving the Inglewood stadium project over the Carson project. The Chargers were given a one-year-delayed 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. Two days later, 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. The Chargers submitted to the City of Santa Ana grading and landscape plans for a five-acre parcel of land to be used as interim headquarters and training facilities "in the event the team exercises its option to relocate to the Los Angeles area." After two weeks of negotiations, the Chargers and Rams came to an agreement in principle on sharing the planned City of Champions Stadium 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 they would pay $1 per year in rent to the Rams.
As an incentive to work out a stadium deal in their current market, the NFL pledged $100 million to the Chargers if they came 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 to keep the team in San Diego indefinitely. The Chargers continued preliminary work on a ballot initiative for public approval of 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 and that they would refuse to entertain a more economic plan in Mission Valley. On March 30, it was reported that 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 a $350 million city contribution, $600 million for the convention center, and $200 million to acquire land. On April 21, a rendering of the proposed downtown stadium was unveiled by the Chargers. Two days later, the downtown stadium initiative signature collection was launched with Roger Goodell, Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Mike McCoy, and Dean Spanos. On June 10, the Chargers announced that they had collected 110,786 signatures for the downtown stadium initiative. In July 9, San Diego City Clerk Liz Malland announced that the downtown Chargers stadium initiative had secured enough valid signatures, so on July 18, 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, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce announced its support of the Chargers downtown stadium proposal, and on October 3, Mayor Kevin Faulconer officially announced his support of the Chargers stadium plan.
However, on November 8, 2016, Measure C was voted down (57% opposed vs. 43% in support). The City of San Diego and SDSU reached out to Spanos and the Chargers attempting to negotiate a deal in Mission Valley. The Chargers never responded. At an NFL owners' meeting the following month, the terms of the Chargers and Rams lease agreement, as well as the team's debt ceiling, were approved, thus signaling the Chargers' relocation to Los Angeles for the 2017 season. 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.
On January 12, 2017, Spanos officially announced the Chargers would move to Los Angeles for the 2017 season. Aware of the limited fanbase, the team will play in the StubHub Center in Carson, California, and ultimately share the under-construction Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park with the Los Angeles Rams, making Los Angeles once again a two-NFL franchise city, while leaving the team's hometown San Diego without an NFL team for the first time in 56 years.
Records
Seasons
Footnotes
- A As a result of the AFL-NFL merger, the league was broken into two conferences; the AFL teams moved into the American Football Conference.
- B This season included the Holy Roller game.
- C The Chargers finished ahead of Oakland in the AFC West based on better net points in division games.
- D The Chargers finished ahead of the Denver Broncos based on better divisional record.
- E This game is known as The Epic in Miami.
- F This game was known as the Freezer Bowl.
- G The 1982 season was shortened by a strike, so the league was divided up into two conferences instead of its normal divisional alignment.
- H The strike of 1987 reduced the regular season schedule from 16 to 15 games.
Retired numbers
Pro Football Hall of Famers
(*) Indicates Player or Coach began his tenure in 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
Lance Alworth, Ron Mix, John Hadl, Charlie Joiner, Don Coryell, Sid Gillman, Gary Garrison, Dan Fouts, Ed White, Kellen Winslow, Earl Faison, Rolf Benirschke, Keith Lincoln, Russ Washington, Stan Humphries, Ernie Ladd, and Doug 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.
Franchise records
Passing
* = minimum 15 attempts, # = min. 100 attempts, + = min. 500 attempts
Rushing
* = minimum 15 attempts, # = min. 100 attempts, + = min. 500 attempts
Receiving
* = minimum 4 receptions, # = min. 20 receptions, + = min. 200 receptions
Special teams, defense, other
* = minimum 20; # = min. 5; + = min. 3
Exceptional Performances
Other career records
Team records
See also
- History of the National Football League in Los Angeles
- History of the Los Angeles Chargers
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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