The Chargers began play in 1960, when they were established as charter members of the American Football League. Ten years later, the rival league merged with the established NFL.
That means the 2019 season will be the 60th in Chargers history and the 50th NFL campaign for the club. Additionally, this season is the 100th in NFL history.
To commemorate those milestones, Chargers Wire ranks the 100 greatest Chargers of all time:
100. RB Danny Woodhead (2013-2016)
At 5-foot-8 and 204 pounds, Danny Woodhead was deceptively effective as a receiver out of the backfield and fearless enough to run between the tackles on occasion. Injuries limited him to 37 games in four seasons with the Chargers, but he amassed 167 receptions for 1,429 yards and 13 touchdown catches, plus 919 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
99. TE Freddie Jones (1997-2001)
Despite playing for the Chargers at a time when the team had uncertainty and upheaval at the quarterback position, Jones proved to be a skilled receiver with soft hands who could move the chains. Drafted in the second round out of North Carolina, he would rack up 260 receptions for 2,931 yards and 16 touchdowns in 75 games with San Diego. His best season came in 2000 when he amassed 71 receptions for 766 yards and five touchdowns.
98. RB Dickie Post (1967-1970)
Post was selected in the fourth round of the first common draft between the AFL and NFL out of the University of Houston. He led the Chargers in rushing yards three consecutive seasons to begin his pro career, including 873 yards in 1969 — a mark which led the AFL in its final season. During Post’s four years with the Bolts, Post was a two-time AFL All-Star.
97. LS David Binn (1994-2010)
Binn played 17 seasons for the Chargers and appeared in Super Bowl XXIX as a rookie. The longtime long snapper played more seasons and games — 256 in the regular season, plus 12 postseason — than anyone in franchise history. He earned Pro Bowl recognition in the 2006 season.
96. RB Gary Anderson (1985-1988)
Anderson signed with the Chargers in 1985 after starting his pro career in the United States Football League. Known for his memorable leaping touchdown in the 1986 season opener, he was a special teams standout who also shared tailback duties. He emerged as the team’s primary running back in 1988, rushing for 1,119 yards on 225 carries. During that year, the Arkansas product had a 217-yard game against the Chiefs, which remains the highest single-game total by a Charger not named LaDainian Tomlinson. Anderson compiled 5,672 all-purpose yards in four seasons with San Diego and earned a Pro Bowl selection in the 1986 season.
95. ST Kassim Osgood (2003-2009)
Osgood was regarded as one of the NFL’s top special teams players during his seven seasons with the Chargers. His career totals include 97 tackles on special teams, along with 33 receptions for 647 yards (19.6 yards-per-catch average) and four touchdown catches. The San Diego State alum was named to the Pro Bowl in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 seasons.
94. RB James Brooks (1981-1983)
Brooks, the Chargers’ first-round draft pick in 1981, led the NFL in all-purpose yards in 1981 and 1982. But the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder from Auburn wanted to play a bigger role offensively and was traded to the Bengals in 1984 for Pete Johnson, a disgruntled 6-0, 252-pound tailback. Brooks went on to earn four Pro Bowl selections in Cincinnati. Johnson, who had served a suspension for cocaine use in 1983, would play just three games for the Chargers.
93. DT Shawn Lee (1992-1997)
Lee was a mainstay on the defensive line during most of his six seasons with the Chargers. During his time in San Diego, Lee totaled 181 tackles, 22 sacks and four fumble recoveries in 87 games. He played in all but two games in his final five seasons with the Bolts. Lee died in 2011 at age 44 of cardiac arrest, caused by double pneumonia.
92. KR/RB Lionel James (1984-1988)
“Little Train” was a multidimensional talent drafted in the fifth round out of Auburn in 1984. At 5-foot-6 and 171 pounds, James was a weapon on special teams in addition to a running and receiving threat on offense. James posted his best season in 1985, setting the NFL record for all-purpose yards in a single season with 2,535 — a mark that stood until 2000 and still ranks fourth in league history. He also caught 86 passes that year for 1,027 yards. In five seasons with the Chargers, James totaled 6,619 all-purpose yards.
91. WR Tony Martin (1994-1997)
Martin was a speedy deep threat that helped stretch opposing defenses in the 1990s. In four years with the club, Martin caught 288 passes for 4,184 yards and 33 touchdowns. In 1996, he led the NFL with 14 touchdowns and earned a Pro Bowl invitation. His 43-yard touchdown catch in the 1994 AFC Championship Game was the decisive score in the Chargers’ upset win at Pittsburgh.
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90. CB Casey Hayward (2016-present)
Hayward was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons with the Chargers. The seven-year pro has played in every game since joining the Bolts, with 11 interceptions while defending opponents’ top wide receivers. He led the league with seven interceptions in 2016.
89. RB Don Woods (1974-1980)
Woods was drafted in the sixth round by Green Bay in 1974 but released before the regular season, was successfully scooped up by the Chargers. He set a then-NFL rookie rushing record of 1,162 yards in only 12 games, including seven 100-yard rushing performances, also a rookie record at the time. Woods was selected as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Although he never replicated his rookie success, he did spend six more productive seasons with the Chargers. Woods totaled 4,045 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns with the team.
88. WR John Jefferson (1978-1980)
Jefferson was a Pro Bowler in each of his three years as a Charger and was named first-team All-Pro twice. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch and amassed 3,431 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns. Jefferson led the league in touchdown catches twice and receiving yards once. The dynamic wideout’s time in San Diego ended acrimoniously, though, when he was traded to Green Bay amid a contract holdout in 1981.
87. P Darren Bennett (1995-2003)
Bennett arrived in San Diego at age 30, coming off a career in Australian rules football. As a rookie, he earned All-Pro honors with a 44.7-yard average on 72 punts. He went on to become a fan favorite and a mainstay on the roster for nearly a decade. He led the league with a 46.2-yard average in 2000, earning a Pro Bowl nod while punting 92 times for a 1-15 team. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 2012.
86. DE Raylee Johnson (1993-2003)
Johnson served as a situational pass-rusher for several years before eventually emerging into a starter in 1999. During his 10 seasons in San Diego, he posted 46 sacks and 34 tackles for loss, recovered four fumbles and scored two touchdowns. Johnson also recorded two sacks in Super Bowl XXIX.
85. S Mike Fuller (1975-1980)
Fuller played six seasons with the Bolts, making an impact in the secondary and on special teams. He recorded 15 interceptions as a Charger and is the franchise leader in punt returns (212) and punt return yardage (2,388). He scored four touchdowns for San Diego — two punt returns, one interception and one rushing attempt.
84. P Mike Scifres (2003-2015)
A fifth-round draft pick by the Chargers out of Western Illinois in 2003, Scifres would rack up the most career punting yards in team history with 33,797. He’s tied for 12th in NFL history, averaging 45.2 yards per punt over his career. Scifres memorably pinned the Colts inside their 20-yard line with all six of his punts in a January 2009 playoff win. “He was the difference in the game,” Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy said afterward. “He punted us in the hole all night long.”
83. OL Broderick Thompson (1987-1992)
After playing briefly in the United States Football League and with the Cowboys, Thompson joined the Chargers in 1987 and emerged as a solid starter the following season. He went on to make 65 straight starts from 1988 to 1992 and served as a team captain in 1990. He later played for the Eagles and Broncos.
82. RB Terrell Fletcher (1995-2002)
Fletcher was drafted in the second round out of Wisconsin in 1995. He was never a No. 1 back, but he served as a solid third-down option, complementing LaDainian Tomlinson during the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Fletcher rushed for 1,871 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also catching 259 passes for 1,943 yards in eight seasons with the Chargers.
81. RB Ryan Mathews (2010-2014)
Mathews spent the first five seasons of his career with the Chargers, rushing for 4,061 yards and 23 touchdowns with a 4.4-yard average. Unfortunately, the former first-round pick was beset with injuries, missing 20 games as a Charger and only once suiting up for all 16 games in a season. His best year was 2013, when he appeared in every game and rushed 285 times for 1,255 yards and six scores. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2011, when he ran for 1,091 yards.
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80. DE Joey Bosa (2016-present)
Since being selected third overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, Bosa has established himself as one of the most prolific edge rushers in the league. The Ohio State product had 10.5 sacks in his first season, which resulted in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He followed that up with 12.5 sacks and Pro Bowl honors in 2017. Bosa missed nine games in 2018 because of a foot injury but still finished the year with 5.5 sacks.
79. RB Melvin Gordon (2015-present)
Gordon has still established himself as one of the NFL’s top running backs despite missing nine games to injuries in his first four seasons. Heading into the 2019 season, Gordon has amassed 3,628 rushing yards, 182 catches, 1,577 receiving yards and 38 total touchdowns in 55 career games. Since 2016, he ranks fourth in the league in yards from scrimmage and is tied for second in rushing touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl selections in the 2016 and 2018 seasons.
78. LB Frank Buncom (1962-1967)
Buncom was a hard-hitting, three-time AFL All-Star who never missed a game in six seasons with the team. The Chargers lost Buncom to Cincinnati in the 1968 AFL expansion draft, and he died tragically a year later at age 29 when a blood clot attributed to a football injury traveled to his heart. Buncom was one of four inaugural inductees to the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1976.
77. WR Malcom Floyd (2004-2015)
Floyd joined the Chargers in 2004 as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming and played sparingly in his first four pro seasons. Eventually, he became one of Philip Rivers’ favorite targets, recording 321 catches for 5,550 yards and 34 touchdowns over 121 games as a Charger. He ranks eighth in franchise history in receiving yards and 10th in touchdown catches.
76. K Rolf Benirschke (1977-1986)
Benirschke memorably overcame a near-fatal intestinal disease during the 1979 season, ultimately returning to the team the following season. He would play seven more years and ranked among the most accurate kickers in NFL history when he retired after the 1986 season. Benirschke was named All-Pro in 1980 and was a Pro Bowler in 1982. In 1997, he became the 20th player to join the Chargers Hall of Fame, and he’s the fourth-leading scorer in franchise history with 766 points.
75. RB Chuck Muncie (1980-1984)
Muncie gave the Chargers a quick, powerful rushing option to keep defenses from focusing solely on the Air Coryell passing attack. He earned two Pro Bowl nods with the Chargers, including in 1981, when he rushed for 1,144 yards and a league-best 19 touchdowns. He recorded 4,546 yards from scrimmage and 45 touchdowns in 51 games with the Chargers. Unfortunately, his career would be derailed by drug abuse. After being suspended by the league for most of the 1984 season, he was traded to Minnesota the following year but never played a regular-season game for the Vikings.
74. WR Don Norton (1960-1966)
Norton played in the Chargers’ first seven seasons of existence, appearing in every game in all but one of those years. Playing in the shadow of superstar receiver Lance Alworth, Norton was a two-time AFL All-Star, who averaged more than 15 yards per reception, and scored 27 touchdowns during his career. He totaled 3,486 receiving yards during his career, spent entirely with the Chargers.
73. DE John Parrella (1994-2001)
Parrella served as a cornerstone of the defensive line in the 1990s. After appearing in 13 games in his first year in San Diego, he never missed a game in the next seven seasons — including the last five as a full-time starter. He racked up 320 tackles and 24.5 sacks as a Charger. His best seasons came in 1999 and 2000 when he recorded 5.5 and seven sacks, respectively, along with five total forced fumbles.
72. RB Marion Butts (1989-1993)
At 6-foot-1, 248 pounds, Butts was a bruiser out of the backfield who would wind up No. 2 in franchise history with 1,031 carries and No. 3 with 4,297 rushing yards. After seeing little playing time at Florida State, Butts was scooped up by the Chargers in the seventh round of the 1989 draft and became a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He was traded to New England in 1994 at the dawn of the salary cap era, as the Bolts turned to Natrone Means as their primary tailback.
71. DE Luis Castillo (2005-2011)
The Chargers selected Castillo in the first round of the 2005 draft out of Northwestern. The versatile Castillo got off to a great start as an All-Rookie selection but ultimately was hampered by injuries throughout his career. He was a member of four consecutive playoff teams from 2006 through 2009 and appeared in seven postseason games with the Chargers. Castillo had 19 sacks, 210 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 82 career games.
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70. DB Willie Buchanon (1979-1982)
Buchanon, an Oceanside native and San Diego State alum, spent the final four seasons of his NFL career with the Chargers after a successful tenure in Green Bay. He started every game in his first three seasons as a Charger and recorded seven interceptions in 57 games overall with the team. Buchanon was voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009.
69. LB Rick Redman (1965-1973)
Redman was the Chargers fifth-round selection of the 1965 AFL Draft out of the University of Washington. He played nine seasons with the Bolts, amassing nine interceptions in 100 games. Redman was an AFL All-Star in 1967. In his first three seasons, he also served as the team’s punter.
68. C Sam Gruneisen (1962-1972)
Gruneisen came to the Chargers in 1962 in the same draft class that brought quarterback John Hadl and wide receiver Lance Alworth. Gruneisen started his pro career as an offensive guard, but was moved to center in 1965. He served as a team captain for four seasons. Gruneisen played in 130 games as a Charger and never missed a start from 1965 through 1970.
67. DT Corey Liuget (2011-2018)
Selected No. 18 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Illinois, Liuget was a key component in the trenches for eight seasons. Liuget recorded a total of 275 tackles and 24 sacks as a Charger. He also forced five fumbles and recovered six fumbles, including one he returned for a touchdown in 2014.
66. DE Leroy Jones (1976-1983)
Jones teamed with Fred Dean, Gary Johnson and Louie Kelcher on the famed Bruise Brothers defensive line. He played in 111 regular-seasons games and seven postseason contests as a Charger. Jones famously blocked a field-goal attempt in overtime in the Chargers’ 41-38 divisional playoff win at Miami on Jan. 2, 1982. Although sacks didn’t become an official NFL stat until 1982, the Chargers list Jones eighth on the franchise career list with 43.5.
65. DB Joe Beauchamp (1966-1975)
Beauchamp joined the Chargers as a redshirt selection in the final AFL draft and stuck around for a decade. The versatile defensive back had a nose for the football, and his 23 interceptions with the Chargers ranks sixth in team history. He returned three of those picks for touchdowns and recovered six fumbles in 117 games with the team.
64. LB Emil Karas (1960-1964, 1966)
Karas joined the Chargers in their inaugural season one year after beginning his pro career with Washington in the NFL. He was selected to three consecutive AFL All-Star Games in the 1961 through ’63 seasons. He played in three AFL Championship Games, including the Chargers’ 51-10 victory over the Patriots on Jan. 5, 1964, at Balboa Stadium. Karas, who died of cancer at age 40 in 1974, was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1976.
63. TE Jacque MacKinnon (1961-1969)
MacKinnon was Mr. Irrelevant of the 1961 NFL Draft, the last player selected, at No. 280 overall by the Eagles. Instead of going to Philadelphia, he embarked on a relevant AFL career with the Chargers. He played receiver, tackle, guard and fullback before settling in as a tight end. MacKinnon earned AFL All-Star selections in 1966 and ’68.
62. RB Hank Bauer (1977-1982)
Bauer was picked up by the Chargers in 1977 after failing to make the Cowboys roster the previous year. The Cal Lutheran alum was used as a short-yardage back but was better known as a special teams ace. Bauer was the NFL Special Teams Player of the Year in 1980 and was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Chargers by the club in 2009.
61. OT Terry Owens (1966-1975)
In the final year before the common draft, Owens was selected in the 11th round — twice. The Bears tapped him in the NFL draft, and the Chargers identified him in the AFL exercise. He opted to play in San Diego, a decision which would benefit the Chargers for a decade. A durable 6-foot-6, 270-pounder, Owens played in 116 consecutive games and established himself as one of the top offensive tackles in pro football.
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60. CB Antonio Cromartie (2006-2009)
Cromartie spent his first four pro seasons with the Bolts, recording 165 tackles, 15 interceptions, 42 passes defended and two fumble recoveries in 64 games. Cromartie was a first-team All-Pro pick in 2007. That year, the dynamic corner led the league with 10 interceptions, including three in one game against Peyton Manning in a win over the Colts. He also set a presumably unbreakable NFL record when he returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown against Minnesota.
59. FB Lorenzo Neal (2003-2007)
Although Neal was 33 when he arrived with the Chargers, he was still in his prime as one of the league’s top blocking fullbacks. He was named to three Pro Bowls in five seasons with the Chargers. He also received first-team All-Pro honors in 2006 and 2007 — when he help open lanes for LaDainian Tomlinson, who led the league in rushing yards both years. Neal missed just three games during his time in San Diego and averaged nearly 20 catches per season.
58. CB Mike Williams (1975-1982)
Williams was the Chargers’ first-round selection out of LSU in 1975 and went on to play 109 games, including 101 starts, over the next eight seasons with the club. He registered 24 interceptions and six fumble recoveries as a Charger before finishing his career as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.
57. K John Carney (1990-2000)
Carney played 11 seasons in San Diego and today stands as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 1,076 points. He ranked among the NFL’s top five in field-goal accuracy four times as a Charger, including 1994, when he led the league with 34 field goals and earned All-Pro status. If not for his 52-yard field goal against Kansas City in 2000, the Chargers would’ve been the first team to go winless in a 16-game schedule.
56. OT Ernie Wright (1960-1967, 1972)
Wright was a bedrock member of the offensive line in the Chargers’ earliest years and a three-time AFL All-Star selection. Wright played in the team’s first eight seasons of existence and returned in 1972 after spending four seasons with the Bengals. He was voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009. Wright missed just one game in nine seasons with the franchise.
55. FB Keith Lincoln (1961-1966, 1968)
Lincoln powered the Chargers to their only league championship, racking up 329 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the 1963 AFL Championship Game. A second-round pick in the 1961 AFL Draft out of Washington State, he compiled 4,387 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns as a Charger. Lincoln was a four-time AFL All-Star with San Diego and is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame. He died July 27, 2019, at age 80.
54. CB Dick Harris (1960-1965)
Harris survived three rounds of tryouts to make the first Chargers roster when the AFL debuted in 1960. His 29 interceptions rank second in team history to Gill Byrd’s 42, and he shares two franchise records, with five career interceptions returned for touchdowns and three interceptions in a single game. He earned first-team All-AFL honors in the league’s first two seasons and played in every game in the franchise’s first four seasons.
53. DE Melvin Ingram (2012-present)
Ingram, an anchor on the edge for the Chargers, makes opponents feel his impact against both the pass and the run. He hasn’t missed a game since 2014, and he earned Pro Bowl selections in each of the past two seasons. Entering his eighth pro season, the University of South Carolina product has amassed 296 tackles, 59 tackles for loss and 42 sacks.
52. DB Kenny Graham (1964-1969)
Graham was picked in the 13th round of the 1964 AFL Draft and soon became known as one of the league’s hardest hitters. He was selected to four AFL All-Star Games in six seasons with the Chargers. His 25 interceptions rank fourth in team history, and his five interceptions returned for touchdowns ranks in a tie for first. He missed only two games as a Charger.
51. OL Jeromey Clary (2006-2014)
Clary joined the Chargers as a sixth-round pick out of Kansas State and spent his rookie season on the practice squad. He joined the active roster in 2007 and would go on to play in 103 games as a Charger, including 93 starts — mostly at tackle, but later at guard. Well respected for his work ethic, leadership and consistency, he took the field for more than 2,400 consecutive offensive snaps at one point. Eventually, injuries and surgeries caught up with Clary, and he retired at age 31.
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50. QB Drew Brees (2001-2005)
After caddying for Doug Flutie as a rookie, Brees showed promise as the starter in 2002 by throwing for 3,284 yards with 17 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. A dreadful 2003 season, however, led the Chargers to acquire Philip Rivers on draft day in 2004. Undeterred, Brees broke through with a Pro Bowl campaign that year, throwing for 3,159 yards with 27 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions as the Chargers won the AFC West. He enjoyed a solid 2005 season as well, with 24 touchdown passes and 15 picks, but suffered a severe shoulder injury in the season finale. With Brees’ health in question and Rivers waiting in the wings, the team allowed Brees to leave as a free agent. He would emerge as a superstar in New Orleans, winning a Super Bowl and garnering 11 Pro Bowl selections.
49. DT Ernie Ladd (1961-1965)
A veritable mountain of a man at 6-foot-9, 290 pounds, Ladd was a four-time AFL All-Star selection who never missed a game in five seasons with the Chargers. He was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Chargers by the club in 2009 and is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame. After his playing days, he went on to even greater fame as a professional wrestler. He died of cancer in 2007 at age 68.
48. OT Marcus McNeill (2006-2011)
McNeill was a second-round draft pick in 2006 out of Auburn and became an immediate starter on the line that helped LaDainian Tomlinson set NFL records that season with 28 rushing touchdowns and 31 total touchdowns. McNeill was a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first two seasons and missed just two games in his first four seasons as a Charger. A neck injury would limit the left tackle to nine games in his final season and eventually lead to his retirement.
47. RB Darren Sproles (2005-2010)
Sproles was dynamic in six seasons with the Chargers after being drafted in the fifth round out of Kansas State. In that period, he amassed 395 offensive touches for 2,554 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns. He added four touchdowns on special teams. Pound for pound, the 5-foot-6 Sproles was one of the strongest players in the league during his days with the Chargers and often embarrassed much larger would-be tacklers. Sproles was always a threat to break a big play in the running game, as a receiver or returning kicks.
46. OT Billy Shields (1975-1983)
Shields came to San Diego as a sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech. He played nine seasons with the Chargers and protected the blind side for Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts for most of them. Shields didn’t miss a game in his final six seasons in San Diego, helping to provide Fouts enough time in the pocket to lead the NFL in passing yards each year from 1979 through 1982.
45. WR Keenan Allen (2013-present)
Allen started his career in strong fashion, catching 148 passes for 1,849 yards and 12 touchdowns over his first two seasons. Midway through the 2015 season, he had already rolled up 67 receptions for 725 yards. Then injuries struck. He suffered a lacerated kidney that ended his season and missed almost all of the following year with a torn ACL in his right knee. Since then, he’s bounced back emphatically and cemented a reputation as one of the league’s top wideouts. In the past two seasons, Allen has amassed 2,598 receiving yards, 199 receptions and 12 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection each year.
44. RB Natrone Means (1993-1995, 1998-1999)
Means was the locomotive that powered the Chargers offense during the team’s lone Super Bowl season in 1994. The 5-foot-10, 245-pounder earned a Pro Bowl selection that year, running for 1,350 yards and 12 touchdowns. During his five years with the Chargers, Means produced a total of 3,885 rushing yards for 34 touchdowns. He also caught 81 passes and appeared in four postseason games. Sure, Means ranks below Marion Butts and Ryan Mathews on the franchise list for career rushing yards — but the North Carolina product distinguished himself as the team’s most important offensive player in a magical AFC championship season.
43. G Ed White (1978-1985)
White, a San Diego native, joined his hometown team after nine successful seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Although he was already 31 when he came to the Chargers in 1978, he would prove to be amazingly durable — missing just two games in eight seasons with the team. White earned Pro Bowl recognition in the 1979 season and served as a team captain five times in San Diego. A man of exceptional strength, White was at one time the NFL arm-wrestling champion.
42. LB Gary Plummer (1986-1993)
Plummer joined the Chargers after three seasons in the United States Football League and made an immediate impact with his intensity and determination. He became an omnipresent tackler, making 792 stops in 119 games over his eight seasons in San Diego. He also recorded five interceptions as a Charger. Plummer left San Diego after the 1993 season, joining the 49ers team that would go on to beat the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX.
41. LB Chuck Allen (1961-1969)
It’s safe to say the Chargers got a bargain when they selected Allen in the 28th round of the 1961 AFL Draft. He would go on to play nine seasons for the team, recording 20 interceptions in 108 games and earning AFL All-Star status in 1963 and ’64. Allen served as a team captain for six seasons and was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1984.
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40. LB Shawne Merriman (2005-2010)
Merriman checked in at the 2005 NFL scouting combine at 6-foot-4, 272 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds. That mix of size and speed enticed the Chargers to draft him No. 12 overall out of Maryland, and he immediately burst onto the NFL scene as one of the league’s top pass-rushers. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after racking up 10 sacks that season. The following year, he led the league with 17 sacks despite missing four games due to a steroids suspension. He earned a third consecutive Pro Bowl selection in the 2007 season, when he recorded 12.5 sacks. Injuries began to take their toll on Merriman beginning in 2008, however, and he would never make the same impact as he did early in his career. In 60 career games with the Chargers, he totaled 43.5 sacks.
39. CB Leslie “Speedy” Duncan (1964-1970)
Duncan was a playmaking cornerback who also starred on special teams. He racked up 21 interceptions in 77 games with the Bolts and scored eight touchdowns in his eight seasons in San Diego — four punt returns, two interceptions, one fumble return and one blocked field goal return. Duncan earned AFL All-Star honors in 1965, ’66 and ’67, and he was voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009.
38. RB Ronnie Harmon (1990-1995)
Harmon, a prototypical third-down back, kept the chains moving with a rare combination of elusiveness and soft hands. He compiled 5,578 yards from scrimmage in six seasons as a Charger despite often serving as a check-down option. He earned a Pro Bowl invitation in the 1992 season, when he registered 79 receptions for 914 yards. Harmon ranks eighth on the franchise list with 377 career receptions, and he caught a team-high eight passes in Super Bowl XXIX.
37. WR Vincent Jackson (2005-2011)
Jackson entered the league as a little-known second-round draft pick from Northern Colorado in 2005, but the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder would emerge as one of the NFL’s most effective deep threats. He topped 1,000 receiving yards in a season three times and earned two Pro Bowl selections as a Charger. Jackson ranks 10th in club history with 4,754 receiving yards and seventh with 37 touchdown catches.
36. LB Billy Ray Smith (1983-1992)
Smith came to the Chargers as the No. 5 overall pick in the 1983 draft, a selection acquired from the 49ers in a trade for defensive end Fred Dean. Smith played his entire 10-year NFL career with the Chargers and served as a team captain for four seasons. In 126 career games, he compiled 15 interceptions and 26.5 sacks — including 11 in 1986. In 2009, Smith was voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team. He has enjoyed a long career in television and radio since retiring from the NFL.
35. WR Anthony Miller (1988-1993)
A speedy deep threat out of the University of Tennessee, Miller was selected in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft and went on to lead San Diego in receiving yards five times in six seasons. He earned four Pro Bowl selections with the Chargers, eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards in a season three times. He ranks seventh in franchise history in receiving yards (5,582) and touchdown catches (37) and ninth in receptions (374).
34. DE Lee Williams (1984-1990)
The Chargers took a chance on Williams with a first-round pick in the 1984 supplemental draft, and the move paid off nicely. He racked up 65.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Bolts, which ranks fourth on the franchise career list. Williams earned Pro Bowl selections in 1988 and ’89, when he finished with 11 and 14 sacks, respectively. He also registered 15 sacks in 1986, and he started all but four games from 1985 through 1990.
33. QB Stan Humphries (1992-1997)
Admittedly, Humphries’ statistics in San Diego don’t jump off the page — 16,085 passing yards, 56.8 completion percentage, 85 touchdown passes and 73 interceptions in six seasons. But he managed games effectively and put his teams in positions to win. Most important, he quarterbacked the Chargers to a Super Bowl and went 47-29 as a starter. Acquired on the eve of the 1992 season as an injury replacement, Humphries guided the Chargers to the playoffs after an 0-4 start and supplanted John Friesz as the permanent starter. After the NFL, Humphries went on to serve as an assistant coach in football and women’s basketball at his alma mater, Louisiana-Monroe.
32. LB Shaun Phillips (2004-2012)
Phillips came to the Chargers as a fourth-round selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, and the Purdue alum greatly exceeded expectations. Phillips recorded 69.5 sacks with the Chargers, second only to Leslie O’Neal on the franchise career list. Phillips registered double digits in sacks three times, including the 2010 season when he earned a Pro Bowl selection. He also made 473 tackles and returned two interceptions for touchdowns during his nine years in San Diego.
31. C Courtney Hall (1989-1996)
Hall was the cornerstone of the Chargers offensive line on its playoff teams of the 1990s and missed just one start in his first seven seasons. He was a four-time alternate selection to the Pro Bowl, overshadowed by fellow AFC centers Dermontti Dawson and Bruce Matthews — both of whom would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hall helped pave the way for 1,000-yard seasons by running backs Marion Butts (1,225 in 1990) and Natrone Means (1,350 in 1994) and was a longtime team representative in the players union.
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30. CB Quentin Jammer (2002-2012)
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Jammer would become one of the league’s most physical corners for a decade. He has the most passes defensed in team history with 137. He made 719 tackles as a Charger and recorded 21 interceptions, seventh-most in team history. Jammer was voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009 and ranks ninth in franchise history with 172 games played.
29. DT Louie Kelcher (1975-1983)
Kelcher was a defensive stalwart and fan favorite whose big plays elicited cheers of “Louieeeeeeee” at Jack Murphy Stadium. He served as a team captain for five consecutive seasons, and on Feb. 1, 1981, he teamed with Fred Dean and Gary “Big Hands” Johnson as the first trio of teammates to start on the defensive line in a Pro Bowl. Kelcher, who also earned Pro Bowl honors in the 1977 and ’78 seasons, was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 2003.
28. RB Paul Lowe (1960-1968)
One of 20 men to have played in all 10 AFL seasons, Lowe ranks second only to LaDainian Tomlinson in franchise history with 4,972 rushing yards. He averaged a robust 4.9 yards per carry as a Charger and led the AFL in rushing touchdowns twice and rushing yards once. He was named to the AFL All-Time first team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970 and inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1979. Fun fact: Lowe returned the opening kickoff of the Chargers’ first preseason game 105 yards for a touchdown against the New York Titans on Aug. 6, 1960, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
27. DE Earl Faison (1961-1966)
Faison earned selection to the AFL All-Star Game in each of his first five pro seasons after being picked seventh overall out of Indiana in the 1961 AFL Draft. The 6-foot-5 Faison, who had a knack for knocking down passes, recorded six interceptions and two defensive touchdowns as a Charger. He was voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009. Faison was a key figure in the boycott of the 1965 AFL All-Star Game in New Orleans over discrimination against African Americans in that city. The game was later moved to Houston. Faison went on to become an educator at several San Diego schools and coached future NFL star Marcus Allen at Lincoln High.
26. WR Wes Chandler (1981-1987)
Chandler was acquired from New Orleans during the 1981 season and went on to become one of the top receivers in Chargers history. He earned three Pro Bowl selections with San Diego, and his 6,132 receiving yards are the sixth-most by a Charger. Chandler led the NFL with 1,032 yards in just eight games during the strike-shortened 1982 season — averaging 21.1 yards per catch on 49 receptions. Chandler was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 2001 and voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009.
25. LB Woodrow Lowe (1976-1986)
Lowe was a fifth-round selection out of Alabama in the 1976 NFL Draft, and he wound up outperforming the vast majority of the 130 players picked ahead of him that year. Lowe recorded 21 career interceptions and returned four of them for touchdowns. He missed just one game in 11 seasons and ranks 10th in franchise history with 164 games played. Lowe also served a team captain for seven seasons and was voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009.
24. S Rodney Harrison (1994-2002)
Harrison was a fifth-round draft pick out of Western Illinois who quickly became known as an intimidating and ferocious hitter. He played nine seasons for the Bolts, earning Pro Bowl selections in the 1998 and 2001 seasons. Harrison appeared in 123 games with the Bolts, amassing 756 tackles and 21.5 sacks. He also ranks third in franchise history with 26 interceptions. He later won two Super Bowls with New England and went on to a successful broadcasting career.
23. S Eric Weddle (2007-2015)
Weddle earned three Pro Bowl selections in nine years with the Chargers. The versatile free safety, known for his mohawk and epic beard, racked up 847 tackles and 19 interceptions and scored four defensive touchdowns with San Diego. He tied for the league lead with seven interceptions in 2011 and topped 100 tackles in a season three times with the Bolts. Weddle served as a team captain in each of his last five seasons with the club.
22. DB Gill Byrd (1983-1992)
Byrd was a physical player who spent his entire career with the Chargers — mostly at cornerback, but also in stints at both safety spots. He was a two-time Pro Bowl pick and holds the franchise record with 42 interceptions. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1998 and voted to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team in 2009. He served as an assistant coach for several NFL teams after retiring as a player and currently is a member of the staff at the University of Illinois.
21. DT Jamal Williams (1998-2009)
A three-time Pro Bowler, Williams was an integral piece of the Chargers defense for more than a decade. At 6-foot-3, 348 pounds, he was a prototypical wide-bodied, run-stuffing nose tackle. His statistics greatly belied his value to the team, as he regularly freed up teammates to make plays by occupying two and three opponents at a time. That said, he recorded 395 tackles, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 12 seasons as a Charger.
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20. C Nick Hardwick (2004-2014)
Hardwick played his entire professional career with the Chargers and served as a team captain for five seasons. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in the 2006 season and was picked as an alternate four times. Hardwick started 136 games for the Chargers, playing in all 16 games five times in his career. Current Chargers center Scott Quessenberry wears uniform No. 61 as an homage to Hardwick.
19. G Kris Dielman (2003-2011)
Dielman is one of the most unlikely success stories in Chargers history. Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana, he had played tight end and defensive line in college. With former Hoosiers coach Cam Cameron serving as San Diego’s offensive coordinator, the Chargers converted Dielman to an offensive guard — and the results were remarkable. He would earn four consecutive Pro Bowl invitations from 2007 through 2010. He endeared himself to Chargers fans in 2007 by spurning a lucrative contract offer from Seattle to remain in San Diego for less money. Dielman, who spent his entire career with the Chargers, was voted to the franchise’s 50th Anniversary Team in 2009.
18. C Don Macek (1976-1989)
What Macek lacked in flashiness, he made up for in consistency and longevity. Although overlooked for Pro Bowl selection during his career, many observers considered the Boston College alum to be among the NFL’s top centers during his prime. Only five men have played more seasons as a Charger than Macek, who began his pro career as a guard before becoming the starting center on a permanent basis in 1979. He served as a team captain for two years and was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 2004.
17. DE Fred Dean (1975-1981)
The Chargers selected Dean in the second round of the 1975 draft out of Louisiana Tech — much to the chagrin of AFC West quarterbacks. In 1978, he recorded 15.5 sacks, and he followed that performance by adding nine sacks in 1979 and 10.5 in 1980. He earned Pro Bowl honors in the 1979 and ’80 seasons as the Chargers claimed consecutive AFC West championships. Dean was traded during the 1981 season to the 49ers amid a contract dispute. He was inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
16. DT Gary “Big Hands” Johnson (1975-1984)
Nickname notwithstanding, the 6-foot-2, 257-pound Johnson relied on speed, strength and skills, rather than size, to become one of the top defensive tackles of his era. He earned first-team All-Pro honors twice and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Although sacks didn’t become an official NFL statistic until 1982, the Chargers rank him third in franchise history with 67, including a team-record 17.5 in 1980. Johnson, beloved by teammates, missed just one game during 10 seasons with San Diego.
15. G Doug Wilkerson (1971-1984)
Wilkerson was a cornerstone of the Chargers’ offensive line from the team’s early NFL years through the heyday of Air Coryell. Drafted No. 14 overall by the Houston Oilers in 1970, Wilkerson was acquired by the Chargers the following year in exchange for tight end Willie Frazier. Wilkerson didn’t miss a game until his ninth season in San Diego and missed just eight total games in 14 years with the club. He served as a team captain for five seasons and earned three Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 2000.
14. G Walt Sweeney (1963-1973)
Sweeney, a fierce and intimidating presence at right guard earned postseason honors in nine consecutive seasons — six AFL All-Star selections and three Pro Bowl invitations — for his consistently excellent play. Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen once said, “If I had to play against Sweeney every week, I’d rather sell used cars.” Sweeney played in 154 consecutive games during one stretch, including 140 starts in a row, and was named to the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1981. He unsuccessfully sued the NFL in the 1990s, alleging the league’s culpability in his battle with drug addiction, and died at age 71 in 2013 of pancreatic cancer.
13. OT Russ Washington (1968-1982)
Washington was drafted No. 4 overall in 1968 out of Missouri and definitely lived up to the high expectations. The 6-foot-6, 289-pound “Mt. Washington” went on to earn five Pro Bowl selections and didn’t miss a game until his 13th pro season. He ranks fourth in service time in franchise history with 15 seasons and 200 games played. Washington, who was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1995, now owns the Crystal Clean Car Wash in the San Diego suburb of National City.
12. DE Leslie O’Neal (1986-1995)
No player in Chargers history was more effective at terrorizing opposing quarterbacks than O’Neal, who was drafted No. 8 overall out of Oklahoma State. He’s the franchise leader in career sacks with 105.5 — 36 ahead of the closest challenger, Shaun Phillips. O’Neal averaged more than 10 sacks per year with San Diego and registered a career-high 17 in 1992. He also recorded five sacks in a single game against Dallas in his rookie season. During nine seasons with the Chargers, O’Neal totaled 597 tackles, 18 forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries. O’Neal earned six Pro Bowl selections as a Charger, tied with Dan Fouts and second only to Junior Seau in franchise history.
11. WR Gary Garrison (1966-1976)
A former San Diego State standout, Garrison turned down an offer to sign with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and chose instead to play in the prolific Chargers offense for head coach Sid Gillman. Good decision. Garrison would play 131 games over 11 pro seasons in San Diego and still ranks among the franchise’s all-time statistical leaders. He hauled in 404 receptions (seventh in team history) for 7,533 yards (fourth) and 58 touchdowns (third). Garrison averaged 20-plus yards per catch in five different seasons, including 22.9 in 1970 — the second-best mark in team history. Garrison was an AFL All-Star selection in 1968 and later earned three Pro Bowl nods. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1985 alongside Gillman.
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10. QB John Hadl (1962-1972)
Hadl was one of the top passers in pro football during his decade in San Diego. Utilizing star receivers Lance Alworth and Gary Garrison, Hadl earned four AFL All-Star nods and led that league in passing yards twice. He would later lead the NFL in passing yards in 1971 and earn a Pro Bowl selection the following year. Hadl served as a team captain for eight seasons and was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1983. He ranks third in franchise history, behind Philip Rivers and Dan Fouts, in career passing attempts (3,640), completions (1,824), passing yards (26,938) and touchdown passes (201).
9. WR Charlie Joiner (1976-1986)
Intelligent, fast and highly skilled, Joiner quietly played a major role in the Chargers’ offensive success during the Air Coryell era. Acquired from Cincinnati in a trade for defensive end Coy Bacon in 1976, Joiner would register 50 or more receptions in a season seven times, including three years in which he had at least 70. While quarterback Dan Fouts, tight end Kellen Winslow and fellow wideouts John Jefferson and Wes Chandler often attracted more attention from opponents and media, Joiner was a stabilizing force of excellence in San Diego for more than a decade. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
8. OT Ron Mix (1960-1969)
Mix ranks among the finest offensive linemen in pro football history, earning All-AFL honors nine times and drawing only two holding calls in 10 years with the Chargers. He was a first-round draft choice of the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in 1960 but opted to play in the rival league when the Chargers offered a more lucrative contract. He would help the team reach five of the first six AFL Championship Games, including its lone title in the 1963 season. Mix was a unanimous pick for the all-time AFL Team in 1970 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
7. TE Kellen Winslow (1979-1987)
Winslow, the Chargers’ first-round draft pick in 1979, revolutionized the tight end position. The 6-foot-5, 251-pound Missouri alum led the league in receptions twice and finished in the top three two other seasons. He also exceeded 1,000 receiving yards three times on his way to five Pro Bowl selections. In his nine NFL seasons, all with the Chargers, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. In one of the NFL’s legendary playoff performances, Winslow caught 13 passes and blocked a potential winning field-goal attempt as the Chargers beat Miami 41-38 in overtime on Jan. 2, 1982. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
6. WR Lance Alworth (1962-1970)
“Bambi” was the focal point of the passing attack for a Chargers team that played in five of the AFL’s 10 championship games and captured the league title in the 1963 season. He was one of the faces of a rival league known for vertical passing and aerial acrobatics — in stark contrast to the NFL’s plodding ground game. With 9,584 receiving yards and 81 touchdown catches, Alworth ranks second only to Antonio Gates in franchise history in those categories. He was a seven-time AFL All-Star and became the first former AFL player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he was enshrined in 1978.
5. TE Antonio Gates (2003-2018)
Gates is the franchise leader in receptions (955), receiving yards (11,841) and touchdown catches (116) by a wide margin. Not bad for an undrafted free agent who didn’t play college football. Gates was originally recruited by Nick Saban to play football at Michigan State but left the school when he wasn’t allowed to also play basketball. He wound up playing hoops at Kent State and leading the Golden Flashes to the Elite Eight. But at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, his body was a much better fit for the NFL than NBA. Gates earned eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections from the 2004 through 2011 seasons, and he holds the NFL record for touchdown catches by a tight end. With 16 seasons and 236 career games as a Charger, Gates ranks second only to long snapper David Binn in franchise service time.
4. QB Dan Fouts (1973-1987)
Fouts was the inimitable pilot of Air Coryell, teaming with Kellen Winslow, Charlie Joiner, Wes Chandler and John Jefferson to rack up statistics that were decades ahead of their time. At the time of his retirement, he ranked second only to Fran Tarkenton in NFL history with 43,040 career passing yards and 3,297 completions. He remains the only player to lead the NFL in passing yards four consecutive seasons. At one time, he held the top two spots in league history for passing yards in a single season (4,802 in 1981 and 4,715 in 1980), and he guided the Chargers to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in those same seasons. Fouts, who played his entire career in San Diego, earned six Pro Bowl selections during his career and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. After football, he went on to a successful broadcasting career.
3. RB LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-2009)
Tomlinson possessed a dazzling combination of elusiveness, speed, strength and receiving ability. He enjoyed a season for the ages in 2006, setting league records with 28 rushing touchdowns and 31 total touchdowns and leading the league with 1,815 rushing yards. One of the greatest receivers out of the backfield in NFL history, he caught 530 passes as a Charger, including 100 in the 2003 season. His brilliance helped lift a moribund franchise to five AFC West titles, including four in a row from 2006 through 2009. Tomlinson’s nine seasons with the Bolts included eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and five Pro Bowl selections. He holds myriad franchise career records, including rushing yards (12,490), rushing touchdowns (138), total touchdowns (153) and yards from scrimmage (16,445). Tomlinson, who also threw seven touchdown passes during his career, was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 on the first ballot.
2. QB Philip Rivers (2004-present)
Although Rivers will turn 38 this season, he’s playing as well as ever. The 6-foot-5, 228-pounder with the unconventional sidearm delivery has thrown for more than 4,000 yards for six consecutive years and 10 of the past 11 seasons. He’s entering the final year of his contract but has indicated he wants to remain with the team beyond his current pact. Entering the 2019 season, Rivers holds active streaks of 209 consecutive games played and 208 starts. Both marks are team records. He holds nearly every meaningful career passing record in franchise history, including yards (54,656), completions (4,518), attempts (7,000) and touchdowns (374). Rivers, acquired in a draft day trade from the Giants in 2004, has received eight Pro Bowl selections, including each of the past three seasons.
1. LB Junior Seau (1990-2002)
Simply stated, Seau is Mr. Charger. No player was more synonymous with the franchise than the Oceanside native was in 13 seasons with the club. Playing with an extraordinary mix of emotion, instinct and improvisation, Seau earned 12 Pro Bowl selections with the Chargers. The durable linebacker ranks fourth in franchise history with 200 games played and missed only eight games during his tenure with the team. Drafted No. 5 overall out of USC in 1990, Seau racked up 1,478 tackles, 47 sacks, 15 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries with the Chargers. Known for his extensive charity work in San Diego, he was named NFL Man of the Year in 1994. Seau committed suicide in 2012, and subsequent tests on his brain revealed the presence of the neurodegenerative disease CTE. He was voted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2015.
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