It is too simple to say they used to work for the Chargers and so, of course, now they’re participating in the Super Bowl with another team.

But it’s impossible to ignore the extensive connections between San Diego’s NFL team and Super Bowl 50.

Eight men who spent time with the Chargers will be on the field or the sideline Sunday in Levi’s Stadium. Four are coaches, four are players. Five are Carolina Panthers, three are Denver Broncos. One is among the game’s central figures, others will likely play supporting roles. A couple have merely tenuous ties to the Chargers.

These eight (and the two San Diego State alumni who play for the Broncos) are the only pieces of San Diego here, while the Chargers are not for a 21st straight Super Bowl.


“The proof is in the pudding,” said Panthers running back Mike Tolbert, who played for the Chargers from 2008-11 and continues to make his offseason home in San Diego. “I was hesitant (to leave the Chargers) at first. But I couldn’t have made a better decision in my life.”

A successful career, especially in the NFL, requires learning at every turn. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, along with Tolbert and the others, credit their time in San Diego with helping them get where they are.

They would have cherished getting to this spot while with the Chargers. Every one of the players made their NFL debuts with the team.

For now, we will have to settle for these long-range connections.


Rivera: The Panthers head coach was the Chargers’ linebackers coach in 2007 and defensive coordinator from the middle of ’08 through ’10. Rivera was hired by Carolina in 2011 after directing the league’s No.1 defense in 2010.

Wade Phillips: The coordinator of the Broncos’ league-leading defense brought the 3-4 alignment and a whole bunch of aggressiveness to San Diego as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator from 2004-06. Credited by players as being instrumental in the team’s 14-2 record in ’06 even beyond his duties with the defense, Phillips was hired as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys after that season.

Steve Wilks: The Panthers’ assistant head coach/secondary coach was the Chargers’ secondary coach from 2009-11. The Chargers would not release Wilks from his contract in 2011 when Rivera wanted to take him to Charlotte, so he joined Rivera a year later. Look for Wilks as a head coaching candidate at some point.

Clancy Barone: The Broncos’ offensive line coach worked the Chargers tight ends in 2007 and ’08.


Tolbert: The undrafted free agent out of Coastal Carolina became a fan favorite in San Diego for his running style and touchdown dances. He led the team in carries (182), rushing yards (735) and touchdowns (11) in 2010 and led them in TDs (eight) again in 2011 before signing with Carolina. After scoring 12 touchdowns his first two seasons in Carolina, he works as a fullback now.

Louis Vasquez: The former third-round pick of the Chargers is in his third season with the Broncos. He is back at his natural spot at right guard, where he was an All-Pro in 2013, after filling in at right tackle the last half of last season.

Mike Remmers: A rash of injuries forced Remmers into his NFL debut for the Chargers at Jacksonville in 2013. He lasted four snaps before suffering an ankle injury. The Chargers released him four weeks later. Remmers spent time with Minnesota and St. Louis but didn’t play in another game until Carolina signed him in the middle of last season. He started the Panthers’ final five regular season games and two postseason contests. This season, the right tackle is the only Panthers player to play every snap on offense or defense.

Fozzy Whittaker: Essentially, the Panthers’ No.3 running back, Whittaker was the Chargers leading rusher in the 2013 preseason with 39 carries for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He played special teams in three games before being released that September. Whittaker spent a year in Cleveland before signing with the Panthers last season.


Ronnie Hillman: The former Aztecs running back this year produced as the Broncos envisioned when they drafted him in the third round in 2012. Hillman led Denver with 863 yards and seven touchdowns on 207 carries in 2015. He was inactive for Super Bowl XLVIII two years ago

Aaron Brewer: The San Diego State alum will handle the Broncos’ long-snapping duties in his second Super Bowl in three years.