San Diego Chargers History

The San Diego Chargers were charter members of the AFL in 1960 and started its franchise in Los Angeles. The Chargers received little fan support in Los Angeles so owner, Barron Hilton, moved his team to San Diego.

In San Diego, the Chargers, under Coach Sid Gillman, became a high scoring exciting team. Gillman’s teams won divisional championships five of the AFL’s first six years and the AFL title in 1963 with a win over the Boston Patriots, 51-10.

This 1963 team was led by Hall of Fame wide receiver Lance Alworth, running back Keith Lincoln, and quarterback John Hadl.

In 1970 the San Diego Chargers were placed into the AFC West division after the NFL merger with the AFL. By then the Chargers fell on hard times, Gilliam, who had returned as a general manager, stepped down in 1971.

1979 was the turning point for the Chargers franchise as The Sporting News named general manager John Sanders NFL Executive of the Year. The Chargers won the AFC Western division crowns in 1979, 1980 and 1981. The Chargers were led by Hall of Famers Dan Fouts, Charlie Joyner, and Kellen Winslow.

In 1981, the Chargers won their third straight AFC West title with a 10-6 record. In the playoffs, they managed to outlast the Miami Dolphins in the divisional round, 41-38, in a game known as The Epic in Miami. Playing in unbearable heat, both teams put on an offensive show for the crowd at the Miami Orange Bowl.

This game set playoff records for the most points scored in a playoff game (79), the most total yards by both teams (1,036), and most passing yards by both teams (809). The lasting image of exhausted tight end Kellen Winslow, who finished the game with 13 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown, being helped off the field by two of his Charger teammates has been played countless times.

San Diego advanced to the second round of the playoffs in 1982, but didn’t compete for a title for the next 10 years.

Bobby Ross became coach in 1992 and led the Chargers back to the playoffs, capturing the AFC West division title. Ross was named Coach of the Year after his team started the season losing their first four games and became the first team to make the playoffs after a 0-4 start as they won 11 of their last 12 games. In the first round of the playoffs, the Chargers shut out the Kansas City Chiefs 17-0, but the Dolphins shut the Chargers out in the divisional playoffs to eliminate San Diego.

In the 1994 season, the Chargers made their first and, and so far only Super Bowl appearance. They would become the AFC West Division champions behind a defense led by linebacker Junior Seau, defensive tackles Reuben Davis and Shawn Lee, defensive end Leslie O’Neal and an offense led by running back Natron Means, quarterback Stan Humphries and wide receiver Tony Martin.

In the playoffs the Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins 22-21 in the divisional round, and then the Chargers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-13 in the AFC championship game before losing to the San Francisco 49ers, 49-26, in Super Bowl XXIX.

In 1997, the Chargers released Ross and hired Kevin Gilbride as the new head coach. San Diego drafted quarterback Ryan Leaf in the 1998 NFL Draft. Leaf would have a disappointing career with the Chargers as he would cause controversy with Charger management as well as the press and his teammates. His failure to be the player his team envisioned was seen as a disgrace on the franchise and will be remembered to some as one of the worst draft picks in the history of pro football.

In 2001, the Chargers drafted running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Drew Brees. In 2002 the Chargers hired Marty Schottenheimer as the new head coach. In 2004, the Chargers made it back to the postseason by capturing the AFC West division title with a 12-4 regular season record. The Chargers were eliminated by the New York Jets 20-17 in overtime. Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer was named NFL Coach of the Year and Brees was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Chargers drafted linebacker Shawn Merriman, who would be named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In 2006, Tomlinson broke the record for most touchdowns in one season with 31. The Chargers had their best regular season in their history by going 14-2, but in the playoffs the Chargers were eliminated by the New England Patriots 24-21.