San Diego Chargers in History

Events in Sport

Oilers Beat Chargers

1961-12-24 AFL Championship, Balboa Stadium, San Diego: Houston Oilers beat San Diego Chargers 10-3; Billy Cannon scores game's only TD

  • 1964-01-05 AFL Championship, Balboa Stadium, San Diego: San Diego Chargers beat Boston Patriots, 51-10; Chargers RB Keith Lincoln rushes for 206 yards, 2 TDs
  • 1964-12-26 AFL Championship, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo: Buffalo Bills beat San Diego Chargers 20-7; defending champions can't overcome 1st quarter injury to star RB Keith Lincoln
  • 1965-12-26 AFL Championship, Balboa Stadium San Diego: Buffalo Bills beat San Diego Chargers 23-0; repeat previous year's win over SD
  • 1976-08-16 St. Louis Cardinals beat San Diego Chargers, 20-10 in Tokyo, Japan (NFL Expo)
  • 1981-01-11 AFC Championship, Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego: Oakland Raiders beat San Diego Chargers, 34-27
  • 1982-01-02 "The Epic in Miami", in 85 degree heat (Fahrenheit), the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game, a game that set numerous playoff scoring records
  • 1982-01-10 AFC Championship, Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati: Cincinnati Bengals beat San Diego Chargers, 27-7 in the "Freezer Bowl"
  • 1982-01-31 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: AFC beats NFC, 16-13; MVPs: Co-MVPs: Kellen Winslow, San Diego Chargers, TE; Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DE
  • 1983-02-06 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: NFC beats AFC, 20-19; MVPs: Dan Fouts, San Diego Chargers, QB; John Jefferson, Green Bay Packers, WR
  • 1988-03-24 San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts announces his retirement after 15 seasons
  • 1993-09-19 San Diego Chargers' kicker John Carney boots 6 field goals in an 18-17 win over Houston to set a new NFL record with 29 consecutive field goals made
  • 1995-01-15 AFC Championship, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh: San Diego Chargers beat Pittsburgh Steelers, 17-13

Super Bowl XXIX

1995-01-29 Super Bowl XXIX, Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, FL: San Francisco 49ers beat San Diego Chargers, 49-26; MVP: Steve Young, SF, QB

  • 1997-11-02 NFL San Diego Chargers Eric Metcalf returns punts for touchdowns of 85 & 67 yards in 38-31 loss at Cincinnati; joins Hall of Famer Jack Christiansen as only players in NFL history to return punts for TDs twice in a game

Chargers Hire Schottenheimer

2002-01-29 The San Diego Chargers hire Marty Schottenheimer as their 13th head coach

Sports History

2004-04-24 NFL Draft: Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning first pick by San Diego Chargers

  • 2007-02-12 Marty Schottenheimer is abruptly fired as head coach of the San Diego Chargers due to lack of playoff success and a strained relationship with ownership
  • 2008-01-20 AFC Championship, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough: New England Patriots beat San Diego Chargers, 21-12

Sports History

2016-09-01 NFL San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneels in protest during the US national anthem before pre-season game against the Chargers at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium, objecting to racial injustice and police brutality in the US


Birthdays in Sport

  • 1924-10-17 Don Coryell, American College/Pro Football HOF coach (NCAA Division champion 1966, 67, 68 San Diego State; St. Louis Cardinals, SD Chargers), born in Seattle, Washington (d. 2010)

Johnny Unitas (1933-2002)

1933-05-07 American NFL quarterback (Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers); one of the greats, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • 1936-03-12 Ernie Zampese, American football coach (San Diego State University 1967–75; SD Chargers asst. head coach 1983-85), born in Santa Barbara, California (d. 2022)
  • 1936-12-23 Bobby Ross, NFL coach (San Diego Chargers), born in Richmond, Virginia
  • 1937-01-24 Bobby Beathard, American Pro Football Hall of Fame executive (GM Washington Redskins Super Bowl 1982, 87; San Diego Chargers), born in Zanesville, Ohio (d. 2023)
  • 1938-03-10 Ron Mix, American NFL tackle (San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders), born in Los Angeles, California
  • 1938-12-09 Deacon Jones, American Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end (8 × Pro Bowl; 5 × First-team All-Pro; LA Rams, SD Chargers), born in Eatonville, Florida (d. 2013)
  • 1940-02-15 John Hadl, American College Football HOF quarterback (Uni of Kansas; 4 x AFL All-Star; Pro Bowl 1972, 73; First Team All Pro 1973; AFL C'ship 1963; SD Chargers; LA Rams), born in Lawrence, Kansas (d. 2022)
  • 1940-08-03 Lance Alworth, American College/Pro Football HOF wide receiver (Uni of Arkansas; Super Bowl 1971 Dallas Cowboys; 6 × First-team All-AFL; 7 × AFL All-Star; SD Chargers), born in Houston, Texas
  • 1941-04-10 Mike Stratton, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1964, 65; AFL All-Star 1963–68; Buffalo Bills; NFL: SD Chargers), born in Vonore, Tennessee (d. 2020)
  • 1941-04-18 Walt Sweeney, American football offensive lineman (9 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1967, 68; San Diego Chargers), born in Cohasset, Massachusetts (d. 2013)
  • 1941-09-24 John Mackey, American Pro Football HOF tight end (Super Bowl 1970; 3 × First-team All-Pro; 5 × Pro Bowl; Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers), born in Roosevelt, New York (d. 2011)
  • 1941-11-25 Kenny Graham, American football safety (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 68, 69 San Diego Chargers; Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Texarkana, Texas (d. 2023)
  • 1942-06-19 Willie Frazier, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 69; All-Pro 1965; Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers), born in El Dorado, Arkansas (d. 2013)
  • 1942-08-10 Speedy Duncan, American football cornerback (Pro Bowl 1971; AFL All-Star 1965, 66, 67; SD Chargers, Washington Redskins), born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (d. 2021)
  • 1943-03-07 Rick Redman, American College Football HOF linebacker (University of Washington; AFL All-Star 1967; San Diego Chargers), born in Portland, Oregon (d. 2022)

Marty Schottenheimer (1943-2021)

1943-09-23 American football coach (Cleveland Browns, KC Chiefs; NFL Coach of Year 2004, San Diego Chargers), born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

  • 1944-02-23 Ed Flanagan, American football center (Pro Bowl 1969, 70, 71, 73; Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers), born in San Bernardino, California (d. 2023)
  • 1947-03-27 Doug Wilkerson, American football guard (Pro Bowl 1980–82; First-team All-Pro 1982; SD Chargers), born in Fayetteville, North Carolina (d. 2021)
  • 1951-04-09 John Teerlinck, American NFL defensive end (SD Chargers) and coach (annual award for NFL best defensive line coach named after him), born in Rochester, New York (d. 2020)
  • 1951-06-10 Dan Fouts, American Pro Football HOF quarterback (First-team All-Pro 1979, 82; Pro Bowl 1979–83, 85; San Diego Chargers) and broadcaster (CBS television, Westwood One radio), born in San Francisco, California
  • 1952-02-24 Fred Dean, American Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end (Pro Bowl 1979–81, 83; First-team All-Pro 1980, 81; Super Bowl 1981, 84; SD Chargers, SF 49ers), born in Arcadia, Louisiana (d. 2020)
  • 1952-05-17 Norv Turner, American football coach (Super Bowl 1992, 93 OC Dallas Cowboys; HC Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, SD Chargers), born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
  • 1952-08-09 John Cappelletti, American College Football Hall of Fame running back (Heisman Trophy 1973, Penn State; NFL: LA Rams, SD Chargers), born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
  • 1955-04-08 Ricky Bell, American College Football HOF running back (USC; #1 Overall Selection 1977 NFL Draft TB Buccaneers; San Diego Chargers), born in Houston, Texas (d. 1984)
  • 1956-02-03 John Jefferson, American football wide receiver (First-team All-Pro 1979, 80 SD Chargers; 4 × Pro Bowl; NFL receiving yards leader 1980; NFL receiving TD leader 1978, 80; GB Packers), born in Dallas, Texas
  • 1959-08-21 Jim McMahon, NFL quarterback (Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles)
  • 1961-12-20 Gale Gilbert, NFL quarterback (San Diego Chargers), born in Red Bluff, California
  • 1962-03-08 Shaun Gayle, American football strong safety (Super Bowl 1985; Pro Bowl 1991; Chicago Bears, SD Chargers), born in Newport News, Virginia
  • 1962-03-08 William Fuller, NFL defensive end (Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers)
  • 1963-01-03 Jim Everett, American NFL quarterback (Pro Bowl 1990; NFL passing TD leader 1988, 89; LA Rams, New Orleans Saints), born in Emporia, Kansas
  • 1964-02-08 Dennis Gibson, American NFL inside linebacker (San Diego Chargers), born in Des Moines, Iowa
  • 1964-04-20 John Carney, American football placekicker (Super Bowl XLIV NO Saints; First-team All-Pro & NFL scoring leader 1994; Pro Bowl 1994, 2008; SD Chargers), born in Hartford, Connecticut
  • 1964-05-07 Leslie O'Neal, NFL defensive end and 6x Pro-Bowl selection (San Diego Chargers, St Louis Rams), born in Little Rock, Arkansas
  • 1964-05-07 Ronnie Harmon, NFL running back (San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Oilers), born in Queens, New York
  • 1964-08-03 Johnny Thomas, American NFL cornerback (Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers), born in Houston, Texas
  • 1965-01-09 Darren Bennett, Australian AFL player and NFL punter (San Diego Chargers), born in Sydney, Australia
  • 1965-02-02 Harry Swayne, American NFL tackle (San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos-Super Bowl 32), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • 1965-02-09 David Brandon, American NFL linebacker (San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons), born in Memphis, Tennessee
  • 1965-04-14 Stan Humphries, American NFL quarterback (San Diego Chargers), born in Shreveport, Louisiana
  • 1965-09-05 Tony Martin, American NFL wide receiver (San Diego Chargers), born in Miami, Florida
  • 1966-04-03 Bo Orlando, American football player, NFL safety (San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals), born in Berwick, Pennsylvania
  • 1967-09-24 Frank Cornish, American NFL center/guard, 1990-95 (San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and 3 other teams), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2008)
  • 1968-01-23 Eric Metcalf, American football running back (Atl Falcons, San Diego Chargers), born in Seattle, Washington
  • 1968-08-26 Courtney Hall, American NFL center (San Diego Chargers), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2021)
  • 1968-12-18 Aaron Craver, NFL running back (Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers)
  • 1969-01-07 Erric Pegram, American NFL running back (Pit Steelers, NY Giants, San Diego Chargers), born in Dallas, Texas
  • 1969-01-19 Junior Seau, American Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker (12 x Pro Bowl; 6 × First-team All-Pro; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1992; SD Chargers), born in Oceanside, California (d. 2012)
  • 1969-02-22 Shawn Jefferson, American NFL wide receiver (San Diego Chargers, NE Patriots), born in Jacksonville, Florida
  • 1969-03-06 Deems May, American NFL tight end, 1992-99 (San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks), born in Lexington, North Carolina
  • 1969-03-18 Michael Dumas, NFL free safety (San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars)
  • 1969-10-17 Alfred Pupunu, NFL tight end (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1969-11-22 John Parrella, NFL defensive tackle (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1970-03-15 Eric Castle, NFL free safety (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1970-05-26 Sebastian Barrie, NFL defensive tackle (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1970-08-07 Joe Cocozzo, American NFL guard (San Diego Chargers), born in Mechanicville, New York
  • 1970-09-29 Chris Mims, American NFL defensive end, 1992-99 (San Diego Chargers; Washington Redskins), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2008)
  • 1970-10-04 Ryan McNeil, American NFL defensive back (Pro Bowl 2001; San Diego Chargers), born in Fort Pierce, Florida
  • 1971-01-18 Andre Coleman, American NFL wide receiver (San Diego Chargers), born in Charlotte, North Carolina
  • 1971-01-18 Greg Engel, American NFL center (San Diego Chargers), born in Davenport, Iowa
  • 1971-03-13 Curtis Conway, American NFL wide receiver (Chicago Bears, SD Chargers) and broadcaster (Compass Media Networks, Pac-12 Network), born in Los Angeles, California
  • 1971-04-15 Craig Whelihan, NFL quarterback (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1971-12-29 Mark Montreuil, Canadian NFL cornerback (San Diego Chargers), born in Montreal, Quebec
  • 1972-01-06 Willie Clark, NFL cornerback (San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles), born in New Haven, Connecticut
  • 1972-01-31 Pulu Poumele, American football guard (San Diego Chargers), born in Oceanside, California (d. 2016)
  • 1972-02-06 David Binn, American NFL safety (San Diego Chargers), born in San Mateo, California
  • 1972-02-26 Scott Turner, American politician (Texas House of Representatives 2013-17) and NFL cornerback (Washington Redskins, SD Chargers, Denver Broncos), born in Richardson, Texas
  • 1972-04-01 Mike McCoy, American football coach (NFL: San Diego Chargers 2013-16), born in San Francisco, California
  • 1972-04-26 Natrone Means, American NFL running back (San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars), born in Harrisburg, North Carolina
  • 1972-05-27 Troy Sienkiewicz, NFL tackle/guard (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1972-09-16 Don Sasa, American NFL defensive tackle (San Diego Chargers), born in American Samoa
  • 1972-12-15 Rodney Harrison, American football safety (Super Bowl 2003, 04 NE Patriots; Pro Bowl 1998, 2001; First team All-Pro 1998, 2003; SD Chargers), born in Markham, Illinois
  • 1973-01-30 Jimmy Oliver, Canadian football wide receiver (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1973-01-31 Latario Rachal, American football player (Amsterdam Admirals, San Diego Chargers), born in California
  • 1973-03-03 Jim Mills, tackle (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1974-03-08 Toran James, linebacker (San Diego Chargers)
  • 1974-04-09 Ben Bordelon, American football tackle (San Diego Chargers), born in Mathews, Louisiana
  • 1974-04-20 Paul Bradford, American football cornerback (San Diego Chargers), born in East Palo Alto, California
  • 1982-02-13 Michael Turner, Running Back for the San Diego Chargers, born in Waukegan, Illinois
  • 1983-01-14 Vincent Jackson, American NFL wide receiver (Pro Bowl 2009, 11, 12; SD Chargers, TB Buccaneers), born in Colorado Springs, Colorado (d. 2021)
  • 1987-05-01 Ryan Matthews, American NFL running back (Pro Bowl 2011; SD Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles), born in Riverside, California

Deaths in Sport

  • 1984-11-28 Ricky Bell, American College Football HOF running back (USC; #1 Overall Selection 1977 NFL Draft TB Buccaneers; San Diego Chargers), dies of heart failure caused by dermatomyositis at 29

Johnny Unitas (1933-2002)

2002-09-11 American NFL quarterback (Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers); one of the greats, dies of a heart attack at 69

  • 2008-08-08 Frank Cornish, American NFL center/guard, 1990-95 (San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and 3 other teams), dies of heart disease at 40
  • 2008-10-15 Chris Mims, American NFL defensive end, 1992-99 (San Diego Chargers; Washington Redskins), dies of cardiomegaly (enlarge heart) at 38
  • 2010-07-01 Don Coryell, American College/Pro Football HOF coach (NCAA Division champion 1966, 67, 68 San Diego State; St. Louis Cardinals, SD Chargers), dies at 85
  • 2011-07-06 John Mackey, American Pro Football HOF tight end (Super Bowl 1970; 3 × First-team All-Pro; 5 × Pro Bowl; Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers), dies at 69
  • 2012-05-02 Junior Seau, American Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker (12 x Pro Bowl; 6 × First-team All-Pro; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1992; SD Chargers), commits suicide at 43
  • 2013-02-02 Walt Sweeney, American football offensive lineman (9 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1967, 68; San Diego Chargers), dies from pancreatic cancer at 71
  • 2013-06-03 Deacon Jones, American Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end (8 × Pro Bowl; 5 × First-team All-Pro; LA Rams, SD Chargers), dies from natural causes at 73
  • 2013-09-05 Willie Frazier, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 69; All-Pro 1965; Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers), dies at 71
  • 2020-03-25 Mike Stratton, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1964, 65; AFL All-Star 1963–68; Buffalo Bills; NFL: SD Chargers), dies from heart complications at 78
  • 2020-05-10 John Teerlinck, American NFL defensive end (SD Chargers) and coach (annual award for NFL best defensive line coach named after him), dies at 69
  • 2020-10-14 Fred Dean, American Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end (Pro Bowl 1979–81, 83; First-team All-Pro 1980, 81; Super Bowl 1981, 84; SD Chargers, SF 49ers), dies from COVID-19 at 68

Marty Schottenheimer (1943-2021)

2021-02-08 American football coach (Cleveland Browns, KC Chiefs; NFL Coach of Year 2004, San Diego Chargers), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 77

  • 2021-02-15 Vincent Jackson, American NFL wide receiver (Pro Bowl 2009, 11, 12; SD Chargers, TB Buccaneers), dies at 38
  • 2021-02-21 Doug Wilkerson, American football guard (Pro Bowl 1980–82; First-team All-Pro 1982; SD Chargers), dies at 73
  • 2021-04-29 Courtney Hall, American NFL center (San Diego Chargers), dies at 52
  • 2021-12-09 Speedy Duncan, American football cornerback (Pro Bowl 1971; AFL All-Star 1965, 66, 67; SD Chargers, Washington Redskins), dies at 79
  • 2022-08-29 Ernie Zampese, American football coach (San Diego State University 1967–75; SD Chargers asst. head coach 1983-85), dies at 86
  • 2022-09-30 Rick Redman, American College Football HOF linebacker (University of Washington; AFL All-Star 1967; San Diego Chargers), dies at 79
  • 2022-11-30 John Hadl, American College Football HOF quarterback (Uni of Kansas; 4 x AFL All-Star; Pro Bowl 1972, 73; First Team All Pro 1973; AFL C'ship 1963; SD Chargers; LA Rams), dies at 82
  • 2023-01-30 Bobby Beathard, American Pro Football Hall of Fame executive (GM Washington Redskins Super Bowl 1982, 87; San Diego Chargers), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 86
  • 2023-05-10 Ed Flanagan, American football center (Pro Bowl 1969, 70, 71, 73; Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers), dies from heart problems at 79
  • 2023-12-11 Kenny Graham, American football safety (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 68, 69 San Diego Chargers; Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers), dies at 82