Charlie Joiner

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Lore & Background

Joiner played college football with the Grambling Tigers and was a three-time, first-team all-conference selection in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). He was selected as a defensive back in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft by the AFL's Houston Oilers, who immediately moved him to wide receiver—he never played defensive back in the NFL. Joiner played three and a half seasons each for the Oilers (1969–1972) and Cincinnati Bengals (1972–1975), missing substantial time through injuries with both teams. Cincinnati traded Joiner to the Chargers, with whom he played for eleven seasons (1976–1986). He made his first Pro Bowl in 1979, not in his first year with the team, and his role was reduced in the following two seasons, nearly leading him to retire as early as 1978. Joiner's career was revitalised once head coach Don Coryell installed his Air Coryell passing offense. He had three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 1979 to 1981, making three Pro Bowls (1979–1981) and the 1980 All-Pro team. At retirement, he held the NFL record for career receptions (750) and games played by a wide receiver, but not for most receiving yards. He was noted for his precise route running, as well as his longevity and late-career success, with 586 of his 750 regular season catches coming after he joined the Chargers. Joiner went on to serve as a wide receivers coach for twenty-six years before retiring completely after the 2012 season.

In Their Own Story

In 1976, Cincinnati traded Joiner to the San Diego Chargers, beginning an eleven-season run that would define his legacy. Although he made the Pro Bowl in his first year, his role diminished over the next two seasons, nearly prompting retirement as early as 1978. His career was revitalized when head coach Don Coryell installed the Air Coryell passing offense. From 1979 to 1981, Joiner recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. During this peak, he earned two more Pro Bowl selections (1979–1980) and secured first-team All-Pro honors in 1980. Over his career, 586 of his 750 regular-season catches occurred after joining the Chargers. He retired holding the NFL records for most career receptions, receiving yards, and games played by a wide receiver.

Reader's Guide

Joiner was drafted as a defensive back by the Houston Oilers, but the team soon returned him to wide receiver. The source does not state that Joiner himself convinced coaches to let him play wide receiver; it notes that his college coach Eddie Robinson urged the Oilers to keep him on offense. Joiner's rookie season ended early due to a compound fracture of the right arm. He later broke an arm in the 1970 preseason, missing the first five games. He was traded to the Bengals in 1972, where he struggled with injuries and limited playing time. His career revived with the Chargers under Don Coryell's Air Coryell offense.

Did You Know?

• Joiner was a three-time first-team All-SWAC selection in college.
• He scored his first professional touchdown on a 46-yard pass from Jerry Rhome in 1970.
• Joiner had a career-long 87-yard touchdown catch in 1970 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
• He was traded from the Oilers to the Bengals in 1972 for running back Paul Robinson and a draft pick.
• Joiner's 586 catches after joining the Chargers were part of his NFL-record 750 career receptions at retirement.