San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team

The San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles) announced their 50th anniversary team in 2009 to honor the top players and coaches in the history of the National Football League team. The Chargers were founded in 1959 as part of the American Football League.[1] The anniversary team included 53 players and coaches selected from 103 nominees.[2][3][4] The Chargers originally stated that only 50 members would be selected;[4] the group is still sometimes referred to as the 50 Greatest Chargers.[5][6] Online voting by fans accounted for 50 percent of the voting results; votes from Chargers Hall of Famers and five members of the local media made up for the other 50 percent. Over 400,000 votes were cast online. Dan Fouts and LaDainian Tomlinson received the first and second most votes, respectively.[3][7] The team features eight Pro Football Hall of Fame members and 11 players that were active on the 2009 Chargers team.[8][9]

Key
*
Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
Years Years with the Chargers

Offense

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Position Player Years Ref
QB Dan Fouts* 1973–1987
John Hadl 1962–1972
Stan Humphries 1992–1997
Philip Rivers 2004–2019
RB Keith Lincoln 1961–1966, 1968
Paul Lowe 1960–1968
Natrone Means 1993–1995, 1998–1999
Chuck Muncie 1980–1984
LaDainian Tomlinson* 2001–2009
WR Lance Alworth* 1962–1970
Wes Chandler 1981–1987
Gary Garrison 1966–1976
John Jefferson 1978–1980
Charlie Joiner* 1976–1986
TE Antonio Gates 2003–2018
Kellen Winslow* 1979–1987
T Ron Mix* 1960–1969
Russ Washington 1968–1982
Ernie Wright 1960–1967, 1972
G Kris Dielman 2003–2011
Walt Sweeney 1963–1970
Ed White 1978–1985
Doug Wilkerson 1971–1984
C Nick Hardwick 2004–2014
Don Macek 1976–1989

Defense

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Position Player Years Ref
DE Fred Dean* 1975–1981
Earl Faison 1961–1966
Leslie O'Neal 1986–1995
DT Gary Johnson 1975–1984
Louie Kelcher 1975–1983
Ernie Ladd 1961–1965
Jamal Williams 1998–2009
LB Chuck Allen 1961–1969
Woodrow Lowe 1976–1986
Shawne Merriman 2005–2010
Junior Seau* 1990–2002
Billy Ray Smith 1983–1992
DB Willie Buchanon 1979–1982
Gill Byrd 1983–1992
Rodney Harrison 1994–2002
Quentin Jammer 2002–2012
Charlie McNeil 1960–1964

Special teams

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Position Players Years Ref
K Rolf Benirschke 1977–1986
John Carney 1990–2000
KR Speedy Duncan 1964–1970
Darren Sproles 2005–2010
P Darren Bennett 1995–2003
Mike Scifres 2003–2015
ST Hank Bauer 1977–1982
Kassim Osgood 2003–2009

Coaches

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Coach Years Ref
Don Coryell* 1978–1986
Sid Gillman* 1960–1971
Bobby Ross 1992–1996

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Celebration announced for 50th season of Chargers football". Chargers.com. The San Diego Chargers. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax "Chargers 50th anniversary team". The Press-Enterprise. November 17, 2009. Archived from the original on December 18, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Canepa, Nick (November 16, 2009). "Greatest Chargers list rings true". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Fans to select 50 greatest Chargers". Chargers.com. The San Diego Chargers. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Davis, Nate (March 1, 2012). "Chargers Pro Bowl LG Kris Dielman retires". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Wilson, Aaron (August 24, 2011). "Chargers to induct Junior Seau to team Hall of Fame". Scout.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Bigelow, Bill (November 28, 2009). "Fouts chosen as all-time 'Greatest Charger'". The Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015.
  8. ^ Williamson, Bill (November 17, 2009). "Chargers announce their all-time team". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2010.
  9. ^ "Fouts, Tomlinson top vote-getters for All-Time Greatest Chargers". Chargers.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013.
  10. ^ Williamson, Bill (February 22, 2010). "Chargers put out classy statement on LT". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010.
  11. ^ Williamson, Bill (July 1, 2010). "Coryell should be in the Hall of Fame". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010.