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

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

Offense

Position Player Years Ref
QB Dan Fouts* 1973–1987
[7]
John Hadl 1962–1972
[2]
Stan Humphries 1992–1997
[2]
Philip Rivers 2004–2019
[2]
RB Keith Lincoln 1961–1966, 1968
[2]
Paul Lowe 1960–1968
[2]
Natrone Means 1993–1995, 1998–1999
[2]
Chuck Muncie 1980–1984
[2]
LaDainian Tomlinson* 2001–2009
[10]
WR Lance Alworth* 1962–1970
[2]
Wes Chandler 1981–1987
[2]
Gary Garrison 1966–1976
[2]
John Jefferson 1978–1980
[2]
Charlie Joiner* 1976–1986
[2]
TE Antonio Gates 2003–2018
[2]
Kellen Winslow* 1979–1987
[2]
T Ron Mix* 1960–1969
[2]
Russ Washington 1968–1982
[2]
Ernie Wright 1960–1967, 1972
[2]
G Kris Dielman 2003–2011
[5]
Walt Sweeney 1963–1970
[2]
Ed White 1978–1985
[2]
Doug Wilkerson 1971–1984
[2]
C Nick Hardwick 2004–2014
[2]
Don Macek 1976–1989
[2]

Defense

Position Player Years Ref
DE Fred Dean* 1975–1981
[2]
Earl Faison 1961–1966
[2]
Leslie O'Neal 1986–1995
[2]
DT Gary Johnson 1975–1984
[2]
Louie Kelcher 1975–1983
[2]
Ernie Ladd 1961–1965
[2]
Jamal Williams 1998–2009
[2]
LB Chuck Allen 1961–1969
[2]
Woodrow Lowe 1976–1986
[2]
Shawne Merriman 2005–2010
[2]
Junior Seau* 1990–2002
[2][6]
Billy Ray Smith 1983–1992
[2]
DB Willie Buchanon 1979–1982
[2]
Gill Byrd 1983–1992
[2]
Rodney Harrison 1994–2002
[2]
Quentin Jammer 2002–2012
[2]
Charlie McNeil 1960–1964
[2]

Special teams

Position Players Years Ref
K Rolf Benirschke 1977–1986
[2]
John Carney 1990–2000
[2]
KR Speedy Duncan 1964–1970
[2]
Darren Sproles 2005–2010
[2]
P Darren Bennett 1995–2003
[2]
Mike Scifres 2003–2015
[2]
ST Hank Bauer 1977–1982
[2]
Kassim Osgood 2003–2009
[2]

Coaches

Coach Years Ref
Don Coryell* 1978–1986
[11]
Sid Gillman* 1960–1971
[2]
Bobby Ross 1992–1996
[2]

See also

References

  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.
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