San Diego Chargers

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Chargers' first home game in San Diego was at Balboa Stadium against the Oakland Raiders on September 17, 1961. The team played a majority of their time in San Diego at San Diego Stadium, from 1967 until 2017. Their final game as a San Diego–based club was played at the end of the 2016 season on January 1, 2017, against the Kansas City Chiefs, who defeated them 37–27. In the 1960s, the Chargers featured future Hall of Famers Lance Alworth at wide receiver and Ron Mix at offensive tackle, along with quarterback John Hadl and running back Paul Lowe. San Diego participated in four of the first five AFL Championship Games following their move: 1961, 1963, 1964, and 1965; winning only in 1963. In 1961, the team's defense made forty-nine pass interceptions. The term 'Fearsome Foursome' described the 1961 Chargers' defensive players' lineup, with anchoring players Earl Faison and Ernie Ladd. In 1963, the Chargers won the AFL Championship, defeating the Boston Patriots 51–10. In 1965, at halftime of the AFL Championship game at Balboa Stadium, Chrysler officials introduced a new automobile named the 'Charger,' which would enter production branded as a Dodge the following year.

In Their Own Story

In the 1960s, the Chargers featured future Hall of Famers Lance Alworth at wide receiver and Ron Mix at offensive tackle, along with quarterback John Hadl and running back Paul Lowe. San Diego participated in four of the first five AFL Championship Games following their move: 1961, 1963, 1964, and 1965; winning only in 1963. In the 1961 season, their first in San Diego, the team's defense made forty-nine pass interceptions. The term 'Fearsome Foursome' described the 1961 Chargers' defensive players' lineup. In 1963, the Chargers won the AFL Championship when they defeated the Boston Patriots 51–10. Running back Keith Lincoln's effort made up 349 yards of the total offense. In 1964, the Chargers won their fourth AFL West title but lost the championship game to Buffalo 20–7. In 1965, the Chargers won their fifth AFL West title but were shutout by Buffalo 23–0 in the championship. In 1966, Hilton sold the Chargers to a 21-member group of business executives for $10 million. In August 1967, the Chargers moved to newly completed San Diego Stadium.

Reader's Guide

The Chargers originally played at Balboa Stadium from 1961 to 1966, then moved to San Diego Stadium in 1967. Key early players included Lance Alworth, Ron Mix, John Hadl, Paul Lowe, Earl Faison, and Ernie Ladd. The team won the AFL Championship in 1963.

Did You Know?

• The Chargers' first owner was Barron Hilton, son of Conrad Hilton.
• The team name 'Chargers' was chosen from a contest; the winner received a trip to Mexico.
• In 1965, at halftime of the AFL Championship, Chrysler introduced the 'Charger' automobile, later branded as a Dodge.