The Chargers came from Los Angeles! Our story starts with Barron Hilton who met with representatives of other major cities to start a new football league. His dream came true in 1960 when the L.A. Chargers joined 7 other teams to form the AFL. The “Charger” name is also attributed to the Barron Hilton from inspiration at other famous sporting events where the bugle “charge” was sounded, giving a sensational surge of adrenaline, motivation, and pride. This team name represents all the famous warriors who charged into battle throughout history on horseback. The team moves to San Diego in 1960 and started to play at Balboa Stadium. A big thank you to the sports writer and journalist, Jack Murphy for convincing the Barron that San Diego would be a better choice for the team. Which I might ad is still the better choice. The Chargers finally get their own home field in 1967 with the then newly completed San Diego Stadium. Once again, thank you Jack Murphy for being the tip of the spear to make this happen. Thus the honorable name change of the stadium after he passed in 1980. Later, after an $18 million renovation in 1997 from the help of a local telecommunications company, the stadium name changed once again and remains to this day Qualcomm Stadium. This is the only stadium to date that has hosted a Super Bowl and World Series in the same year (1998).

The all-time great, Kellen Winslow was the leagues first tight end to ever hold back to back leading receptions in the NFL. This amazing accomplishment took place in 1980 and 1981. The Chargers have earned two “NFL Offensive Player of the Year” awards thanks to Dan Fouts and LaDainian Tomlinson. This great team has had one coach and six players to be inducted and enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. They are Lance Alworth, Dan Fouts, Coach Sid Gillman, Charlie Joiner, Ron Mix, Kellen Winslow Jr., Fred Dean, and most recently Jr. Seau. (I’m sure we all can name a few players that will be there soon). One Charger player to hold a franchise record that might never be broken belongs to Antonio Gates as the S.D. all time leading receptions leader. He should get on that list mentioned above in due time. The only retired numbers from San Diego are #14 from the legendary Dan Fouts and also #19 from Lance Alworth, #21 LaDainian Tomlinson, and #55 Jr.Seau. I’m 100% positive there will be more.

There are many more facts, stats, and stories that should also be here but for the sake of time I will leave it at nine. To read more and reference the information above, check out the teams website.

Regardless of championship rings, I was raised in San Diego and will always have extreme pride for this town and my team. Thank you to all the legendary heroes listed above and who bear the title now and in the coming future. I will always be a Charger fan, Go Bolts!

Thank you for reading my blog and supporting me. Also, don’t forget to support your home team, the San Diego Chargers! I will see you at the next home game, while I am tailgating and rocking out to this song from P.O.D. !!! Don’t forget to let me know if I missed something interesting and feel free to leave a comment.