Events in Sport
Sports History
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
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 Eric Metcalf of the San Diego Chargers 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
Sports History
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
2016-08-26 San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick kneels in protest during the US national anthem at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium while playing against the San Diego Chargers, 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)
- 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
- 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)
- 1952-08-09 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)
- 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 (San Diego 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, NFL tackle (San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos-Super Bowl 32)
- 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
- 1966-10-24 Shawn Lee, American NFL defensive tackle (San Diego Chargers), born in Brooklyn, New York
- 1967-04-11 Mark Seay, American football wide receiver (San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles), born in Los Angeles, California
- 1967-06-23 Derrick Walker, American NFL tight end, 1990-98 (San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders), born in Glenwood, Illinois,
- 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
- 1968-04-11 Eric Moten, NFL guard and tackle (San Diego Chargers), born in Cleveland, Ohio
- 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)
- 1969-05-02 Glen Young, American NFL linebacker (San Diego Chargers), born in Scarborough, Ontario
- 1969-10-17 Alfred Pupunu, NFL tight end (San Diego Chargers)
- 1969-11-22 John Parrella, NFL defensive tackle (San Diego Chargers)
- 1969-12-23 Rodney Culver, American football running back (San Diego Chargers), born in Detroit, Michigan
- 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
- 1970-11-14 Darrien Gordon, NFL cornerback (San Diego Chargers, Broncos-Super Bowl 32)
- 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
- 1972-03-28 Shannon Mitchell, NFL tight end (San Diego Chargers)
- 1972-04-01 Mike McCoy, American football coach (NFL: San Diego Chargers 2013-16), born in San Francisco, California
- 1972-04-08 Isaac Davis, American NFL guard (San Diego Chargers), born in Malvern, Arkansas
- 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)
- 1972-06-21 Tony Berti, American NFL tackle (San Diego Chargers), born in Rock Springs, Wyoming
- 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)
- 1973-05-11 Patrick Sapp, American NFL offensive linebacker (San Diego Chargers), born in Jacksonville, Florida
- 1973-11-11 Terrance Shaw, American NFL cornerback (San Diego Chargers), born in Marshall, Texas
- 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