SPORTS TEAM HISTORY

Sports Team HistorySports Logo History
  • Home
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History
    • Basketball History
    • College History
    • Football History
    • Hockey History
    • Soccer History
  • Greatest Player Polls
  • More…
    • STH News
    • Sports Team History Products
STH #3 Home Header 1440x650

San Diego Chargers Team History

STH Clash of Logos NFL - Banner
San Diego Chargers




  • 1961
  • 1967
  • 1984
  • 2003
  • 2017
  • Chargers Defense 1961

    Move to San Diego

    The Chargers spent only one season in L.A. before moving to San Diego in 1961. Hilton moved the team 75 miles south to San Diego. From 1961 to 1966 their home field in San Diego was Balboa Stadium in Balboa Park.
    See Full Story
  • Murphy Stadium

    New Stadium “The Murpy”

    In the early 1960s, local sportswriter Jack Murphy, the brother of New York Mets broadcaster Bob Murphy, began to build up support for a multi-purpose stadium for San Diego. In November 1965, a $27 million bond was passed allowing construction to begin on a stadium, which was designed in the Brutalist style. Construction on the stadium began one month later. ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Dean Spanos_new owner

    Alex Spanos New Owner

    In 1984, Spanos bought 60% of the San Diego Chargers from majority owner Eugene Klein for $48.3 million. Over the next 10 years, he bought out the shares of several small co-owners, bringing his control of the team to 97%. He remains partnered with retired San Diego restaurateur George Pernicano, an investor in the team since a few years after ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Eli Manning - San Diego Charger 2003

    Drafting Eli Manning

    Although the Chargers were tied with three other teams for the worst record of the 2003 NFL season, the league’s tie-breaking system gave San Diego the number one pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. With this pick, the Chargers selected quarterback Eli Manning from the University of Mississippi despite Manning’s stated desire to play elsewhere. New York Giants general manager ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • Chargers Leave for LA

    Chargers Heading Back to LA

    On January 12, 2017, ESPN reported that the Chargers were going to announce a move back to Los Angeles for the 2017 season. Chargers owner Dean Spanos officially announced a return to Los Angeles on January 12, 2017.
    See Full Story

Chargers Primary Logo
Chargers Alternate Logo
Chargers Wordmark Logo

History of the Chargers

For more than five decades, the San Diego Chargers have been one of the most successful and beloved teams in professional football. The team was founded in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and has since become an integral part of NFL history. Throughout its storied past, the Chargers have won two AFL championships (1963 & 1965) and made 15 playoff appearances, including four Super Bowls XXIX through XXXII trips.

The early years were marked by success on both sides of the ball for San Diego; they had strong rushing attacks led by Hall-of-Famers Lance Alworth, Keith Lincoln, and Paul Lowe while also boasting a formidable defense anchored by Ernie Ladd, Earl Faison, and Ron Mix—all three members are enshrined at Canton’s Pro Football Hall Of Fame. In addition to their championship runs during this period, several players from these teams went on to be named All-Pros or Pro Bowl selections: Charlie Joiner (wide receiver), Dan Fouts (quarterback), Kellen Winslow Sr.(tight end) all achieved individual accolades throughout their careers with SDCCU Stadium serving as a home field until 2003 when Qualcomm Stadium opened up for business.

During this era under head coach Don Coryell ,the franchise enjoyed some memorable moments such as “Air Coryell” which featured high powered passing offense that set records across league; however after his departure things started go downhill quickly following numerous losing seasons leading into 1990's where new ownership brought hope back but it never fully materialized due mainly poor personnel decisions nd coaching hires coupled with lack stability within organization itself which resulted them missing playoffs 11 consecutive times between 2000–2010 before finally making return 2011 only last one year before another streak began without any postseason berths till 2018 season when they managed make wild card round game against Baltimore Ravens ending long drought but ultimately falling short victory there too thus ending yet another disappointing campaign overall despite having solid core talent place like quarterback Philip Rivers who had been mainstay entire decade-plus running back Melvin Gordon III who emerged star over course few years giving fans something cheer about even if results weren't always what wanted out them each Sunday afternoon/evening.

Despite all ups and downs along the way spanning nearly six decades now, San Diego Chargers remain a beloved institution in many cities around the country thanks loyal fan base that continues to show support regardless of how the team performs on any given year so here's hoping for a brighter future lies ahead not just for the city itself but.

Chargers Products

Boelter Brands San Diego Chargers Sculpted Coffee Mug
4.4 out of 5 stars(75)
Buy on Amazon
Team Golf NFL San Diego Chargers Cap Clip With 2 Golf Ball Markers Golf Cap Clip with 2 Removable Double-Sided Enamel Magnetic Ball Markers, Attaches Easily to Hats
4.7 out of 5 stars(3438)
Buy on Amazon
Team Golf NFL San Diego Chargers Pack Of 50 Golf Tees 2-3/4" Golf Tees, 50 Pack, Regulation Size, Multi Team Colors
4.7 out of 5 stars(806)
Buy on Amazon
Game of My Life San Diego Chargers: Memorable Stories of Chargers Football
4.7 out of 5 stars(18)
Buy on Amazon
Fan Creations Need is Football, Family & Friends Sign Color San Diego Chargers, Multicolored
4.4 out of 5 stars(4)
Buy on Amazon
Team Golf NFL San Diego Chargers 3 Golf Ball Pack Regulation Size Golf Balls, 3 Pack, Full Color Durable Team Imprint
4.5 out of 5 stars(3359)
Buy on Amazon
San Diego Chargers Navy Blue Toddler San Diego Football Primary Logo Wordmark Pullover Hoodie (Toddler 3T)
Buy on Amazon
Reebok San Diego Chargers Sideline Coaches Cuffed Knit Hat One Size Fits All
5.0 out of 5 stars(7)
Buy on Amazon
San Diego Chargers 101 (101 My First Team Boardbooks: National Football League)
5.0 out of 5 stars(4)
Buy on Amazon
FANMATS NFL San Diego Chargers Nylon Face Football Field Runner , 30"x72"
5.0 out of 5 stars(13)
Buy on Amazon
NFL San Diego Chargers Large Collectible Ornament
4.5 out of 5 stars(7)
Buy on Amazon
The San Diego Chargers Story (NFL Teams)
4.0 out of 5 stars(6)
Buy on Amazon
1973 Topps # 226 Joe Beauchamp San Diego Chargers (Football Card) EX/MT Chargers Iowa St
5.0 out of 5 stars(1)
Buy on Amazon
Team Golf NFL San Diego Chargers Gift Set: Embroidered Golf Towel, 3 Golf Balls, and 14 Golf Tees 2-3/4" Regulation, Tri-Fold Towel 16" x 22" & 100% Cotton
4.7 out of 5 stars(2504)
Buy on Amazon
Bombs Away! Air Coryell and the San Diego Chargers
4.6 out of 5 stars(11)
Buy on Amazon
2016 Donruss Optic #83 Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers Football Card
Buy on Amazon
NFL: History of the San Diego Chargers
4.5 out of 5 stars(97)
Buy on Amazon
The Uncrowned Champs: How the 1963 San Diego Chargers Would Have Won the Super Bowl
4.1 out of 5 stars(57)
Buy on Amazon
San Diego Chargers
Buy on Amazon
San Diego Football Radio
1.0 out of 5 stars(2)
Buy on Amazon
DC League of Super-Pets
4.7 out of 5 stars(684)
Buy on Amazon
FOCO Los Angeles Chargers NFL Mens Colorblock Big Logo Gel Slide - M
4.6 out of 5 stars(13292)
Buy on Amazon
NFL Cheerleaders Making the Squad - San Diego Chargers by NFL
3.5 out of 5 stars(4)
Buy on Amazon
NFL Siskiyou Sports Womens Los Angeles Chargers Dangle Earrings One Size Team Color
4.6 out of 5 stars(427)
Buy on Amazon
San Diego Chargers
Buy on Amazon




Established
1960

City
Los Angeles - San Diego - Los Angeles

League History
1970 - Present / National Football League
1960 - 1970 / American Football League

Team History
2017 - Present / Los Angeles Chargers
1961 - 2016 / San Diego Chargers
1960 / Los Angeles Chargers

Nickname
Chargers - The San Diego Chargers are a professional National Football League (NFL) football team. The team has been around since 1960 when they were founded as part of the American Football League. But how did they get their name? Let’s explore the origins of this iconic NFL nickname.

As it turns out, there is an interesting story behind why this California-based franchise was named “Chargers.” It all began with Barron Hilton, who owned and operated a hotel chain called Hilton Hotels in 1959 when he purchased a controlling interest in the newly formed AFL expansion team that would eventually become known as San Diego Chargers. He wanted to develop something catchy for his new venture, so he went with “Chargers” because it sounded strong – just like his hotels!

Additionally, some believe that Hilton chose this particular name because of its association with electricity – one of his company's core products at that time - making it particularly fitting for an electric city like San Diego! And while we may never know precisely why Barron picked "Chargers" over other possible names such as "Cougars" or "Aztecs," one thing is sure: The moniker has undoubtedly stood the test of time and continues to be associated strongly today, not only within sports circles but also across many different industries worldwide!

Championship
Super Bowl 0
AFL Championships 1
1963

Stadium
2020 – Present / SoFi Stadium
2018 – 2019 / Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park (during construction)
2019 / Dignity Health Sports Park
2017 – 2018 / StubHub Center

*San Diego*
1998 - 2016 / Qualcomm Stadium
1981 - 1997 / Jack Murphy Stadium
1967 - 1980 / San Diego Stadium
1961 - 1966 / Balboa Stadium

*Los Angeles*
1960 / Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Owner
1994 - Present / Dean Spanos
1984 - 1993 / Alex Spanos
1966 - 1984 / Gene Klein and Sam Schulman
1960 - 1966 / Barron Hilton

Who is the greatest San Diego Chargers?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

Retired Number
14 / Dan Fouts
19 / Lance Alworth
21 / LaDainian Tomlinson
55 / Junior Seau

*Blue is this team’s history

Sports News History

Sports News Worth Knowing

RSS NFL Headline News

  • Panthers’ Xavier Woods to miss 4-6 weeks with hamstring injury as defense takes another hit, per report
  • Why a private equity titan is betting huge on the Washington Commanders
  • Why one of football’s most thrilling plays is vanishing from the NFL
  • Burrow gets plenty of help as Bengals earn first win
  • Monday Night Football odds, line: Bengals vs. Rams prediction, NFL picks, best bets by expert on 51-35 run

Sports Market History

Sports Team Marketplace of Champions!

NFL Logo Battle

NFL Greatest Player

STH Product Sale

NFL Teams
Menu
  • Arizona Cardinals
    • Phoenix Cardinals
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    • Chicago Cardinals
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Carolina Panthers
  • Chicago Bears
    • Chicago Staleys
    • Decatur Staleys
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Denver Broncos
  • Detroit Lions
    • Portsmouth Spartans
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Houston Texans
  • Indianapolis Colts
    • Baltimore Colts
    • Dallas Texans
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Dallas Texans
  • Las Vegas Raiders
    • Oakland Raiders
    • Los Angeles Raiders
  • Los Angeles Chargers
    • San Diego Chargers
  • Los Angeles Rams
    • St. Louis Rams
    • Cleveland Rams
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • New England Patriots
    • Boston Patriots
  • New Orleans Saints
  • New York Giants
  • New York Jets
    • Titans of New York
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Tennessee Titans
    • Tennessee Oilers
    • Houston Oilers
  • Washington Commanders
    • Washington Football Team
    • Washington Redskins
    • Boston Redskins
    • Boston Braves
  • Proposed Teams
    • Baltimore Bombers

STH News

Latest Sports Team History News

Could the Kentucky Basketball team land the 5 Star recruit Boogie Fland?

September 28, 2023

USFL Venues | Information on Ford Field, Protective Stadium, Canton Hall of Fame Village, and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

September 26, 2023

What Makes The Walter Payton Award Prestigious?

September 23, 2023

Giants vs. Jets: Who Is the Main New Jersey Football Team?

September 19, 2023

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
Sports Logo History
Sports News History
Sports Market History
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Sports Team History
© 2013 - 2023 Sports History Group LLC - All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History
    • Basketball History
    • College History
    • Football History
    • Hockey History
    • Soccer History
  • Greatest Player Polls
  • More…
    • STH News
    • Sports Team History Products
Available for Amazon Prime