List of Los Angeles Chargers retired numbers explained

The Los Angeles Chargers are a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL) based in the Greater Los Angeles Area. The club began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), and spent its first season in Los Angeles before moving to San Diego in 1961.[1] They returned to Los Angeles in 2017. NFL teams assign each of their players a jersey number ranging from 0 through 99.[2] The Chargers no longer issue six retired numbers.

Selection process

As of 2010, the team's policy was to have the Chargers Hall of Fame committee evaluate candidates for a player's number to retire after the player has retired from the league after five years. The committee consisted of Chargers Executive Vice President A. G. Spanos, Chargers public relations director Bill Johnston, San Diego Hall of Champions founder Bob Breitbard, and the presidents of the San Diego Sports Commission and the Chargers Backers Fan Club. There are few recognized guidelines in sports regarding retiring numbers, and the NFL has no specific league policy. "You have to have enough numbers for players to wear," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.[3]

History

The Chargers have rarely retired numbers.[4] In 2006, The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote, "The [Chargers] tend to honor their heritage haphazardly." Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Ron Mix in 1969 was the first Charger to have his number retired after he announced he was quitting football.[3] [5] However, he came out of retirement in 1971 to play for the Oakland Raiders.[6] Then-Chargers owner Gene Klein, who hated the Raiders, unretired the number.[7]

Dan Fouts had his 14 retired in 1988, a year after his retirement.[8] He was the first NFL quarterback to top the 4,000-yard passing mark in three consecutive seasons. He set a then-NFL single-season passing record in 1981, throwing for a career-high 4,802 yards.[9] At the retirement of his number, Fouts asked for "more recognition of former players and a warmer relationship between Charger players and management. I'd like to see Lance Alworth's number retired, too. We've had some great players here."[10]

Alworth's No. 19 was retired in 2005, 35 years after he last played for the Chargers and 27 years after he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[11] [8] He was still one of the most popular athletes in San Diego history. Nicknamed Bambi for his speed and graceful leaping skills, Alworth was a pioneer for the Chargers and the AFL in the 1960s. He was selected All-AFL seven times from 1963 to 1969 and averaged more than 50 catches and 1,000 yards a year with San Diego.[12] [13] He retired with the most career yards (9,584) in team history, a record that held for almost 45 years.

The Union-Tribune in 2003 wrote that the Chargers no longer retired numbers, but Chargers president Dean Spanos said Junior Seau might be an exception. "If there's going to be another number retired, that's the one that's going to be retired," Spanos said.[14] Seau made 12 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances with San Diego. He initially retired from the NFL in a 2006 ceremony with the Chargers, and the team planned to retire his number—as early as 2011—after his anticipated induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[15] However, Seau signed with the New England Patriots four days later, and continued playing until 2009.[16] [17] Seau's No. 55 was retired in 2012 posthumously at his memorial.[7] [18] [19] "His play on the field combined with his leadership and charisma became the face of this team for more than a decade. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor," said Spanos.[20]

After LaDainian Tomlinson signed a one-day contract and retired as a Charger in 2012, Dean Spanos said his number would be retired in the future.[21] On November 22, 2015, the Chargers retired Tomlinson's No. 21.

In 2020, Chargers equipment manager Bob Wick said that he tried to keep Charlie Joiner's No. 18 out of circulation, even though it had not been officially retired.[22] The Chargers retired Joiner's No. 18 and Kellen Winslow's No. 80 in 2023.

Retired numbers

No.
Retired number
PlayerName of player honored
PositionPlayer position
CareerYears played with Chargers
RetiredYear number was retired
HonoursAccomplishments and awards
Posthumously retired
Los Angeles Chargers retired numbers
No.ImagePlayerPositionCareerNo.
Retired		HonoursRef
1973–1987 1988 [23] [24]
1976–1986 2023 [25]
1962–1970 2005 [26]
2001–2009 2015 [27]
† 1990–2002 2012 [28]
OT 1960–1969 1969 [29]
1979–1987 2023

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: San Diego Chargers History . Chargers.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314154716/http://www.chargers.com/team/history/ . March 14, 2012 . dead .
  2. Book: Johnston. Gigliotti. Jim. Watching Football:Discovering The Game Within The Game. 27. 2005. Globe Pequot. 0762739061. May 14, 2012.
  3. News: Sullivan . Tim . Retiring a number can be tricky math problem . March 4, 2010 . The San Diego Union-Tribune . March 4, 2024 .
  4. News: Scholfield . Steve . Chargers to honor AFL icon Alworth . July 14, 2005 . North County Times . https://archive.today/20120513031349/http://www.nctimes.com/sports/columnists/scholfield/article_f4af5516-4838-5fc0-b49e-5c50de637f2f.html . May 13, 2012 . dead .
  5. News: Politics Lure Charger's Mix. December 3, 1969. Schenectady Gazette. 37. May 14, 2012.
  6. Book: Sullivan, George. Any Number Can Play:The Numbers Athletes Wear. 2000. Milbrook Press. 58. 0761315578. May 14, 2012.
  7. News: Canepa . Nick . Chargers have several more numbers they should retire . May 13, 2012 . U-T San Diego . https://web.archive.org/web/20151019092706/http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/13/chargers-have-several-more-numbers-they-should/ . October 19, 2015 . dead .
  8. News: Notes: Fields upbeat; Clemson's Crosby confident; Cowboys, Jets deal . July 14, 2005 . USA Today . -Associated Press . https://web.archive.org/web/20220608030137/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2005-07-14-notebook_x.htm . June 8, 2022 . dead .
  9. News: Burch . Jimmy . Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts chosen as 2009 recipient of Davey O'Brien Award . September 22, 2009 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025252/http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/sep/22/bc-fbn-obrien-awardft-_-sports-300-words/?sports&nfl . March 5, 2016 . dead .
  10. News: Jenkins. Chris. NFL: 49ers 48, Chargers 10. November 28, 1988. The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  11. News: Sullivan . Tim . This time, icon finally receives proper sendoff . August 15, 2006 . The San Diego Union-Tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20141209201937/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060815/news_1s15sullivan.html . December 9, 2014 . dead .
  12. News: Adelson. Andrea. Titans have their share of off field problems. July 17, 2005. Gadsden Times. C8. Associated Press. May 13, 2012.
  13. News: Magee. Jerry. Receiving his due. November 20, 2005. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Alworth averaged more than 50 catches and 1,000 yards a year with the Chargers..
  14. News: Trotter . Jim . Seau says his career has been rejuvenated with trade to Miami, but he'd rather be here . October 27, 2003 . The San Diego Union-Tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20061117032344/http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20031027-9999_1s27chargers.html . November 17, 2006 . dead .
  15. News: Trotter . Jim . Many thanks . August 15, 2006 . The San Diego Union-Tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20141209185812/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060815/news_1s15seau.html . December 9, 2014 . dead .
  16. News: Seau signs with New England. Bernie. Wilson. Associated Press. Moscow-Pullman Daily News. 4B. August 19, 2006. May 14, 2012.
  17. News: Patriots LB Seau retires for fourth time in 20-year NFL career . January 13, 2010 . Associated Press . NFL.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20141214194523/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d815b5ab0/printable/patriots-lb-seau-retires-for-fourth-time-in-20year-nfl-career . December 14, 2014 . dead .
  18. News: Charges retire Junior Seau's number at memorial service . May 12, 2012 . Sports Network . FoxNews.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120515020659/http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/05/02/report-junior-seau-found-dead/ . May 15, 2012 . dead .
  19. News: Seau honored at Qualcomm Stadium, Chargers retire No. 55 . May 12, 2012 . New York Daily News . https://web.archive.org/web/20120625211241/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-05-12/news/31672607_1_chargers-president-dean-spanos-ladainian-tomlinson-memorial-service . June 25, 2012 . dead .
  20. News: Seau's 55 to be retired by Chargers . May 12, 2012 . Chicago Tribune . The Sports Xchange . https://web.archive.org/web/20120513214712/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-fbn-chargers-newssxea16ea1-20120512,0,5848795.story . May 13, 2012 . dead .
  21. News: Wilson . Bernie . Tomlinson signs 1-day contract with Bolts, retires . June 18, 2012 . U-T San Diego . Associated Press . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144124/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/Jun/18/tomlinson-signs-1-day-contract-with-bolts-retires/all/ . April 2, 2015 . live .
  22. News: Sullivan . Tim . '55' remains prime number for Seau . May 10, 2012. San Diego Union-Tribune . March 4, 2024.
  23. News: Jardine. Jeff. Bad Timing. November 28, 1988. The Modesto Bee. D1. May 13, 2012.
  24. https://www.profootballhof.com/players/dan-fouts DAN FOUTS - Class of 1993
  25. News: Chargers to Retire Numbers of Pro Football Hall of Fame Receiver Charlie Joiner and Pro Football Hall of Fame Tight End Kellen Winslow at Season Opener. August 24, 2023. Chargers.com.
  26. News: Gaughan. Mark. Concussed Holcomb still listed as questionable. November 18, 2005. The Buffalo News. https://web.archive.org/web/20160225125254/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22815691.html. dead. February 25, 2016. May 13, 2012.
  27. News: Gehlken . Michael . Chargers to honor LaDainian Tomlinson . June 10, 2015 . The San Diego Union-Tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20150611142150/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jun/10/chargers-ladainian-tomlinson-hall-of-fame/ . June 11, 2015 . live .
  28. News: Williamson . Bill . Chargers to retire Junior Seau's No. 55 . May 12, 2012 . ESPN.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120515095514/http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/44072/chargers-retire-seaus-no-55 . May 15, 2012 . live .
  29. https://www.profootballhof.com/players/ron-mix RON MIX - Class of 1979

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