More San Diego Chargers Information

Some San Diego Chargers history: From 1960 to 1965 the Chargers won five division championships and one league crown in the American Football League (AFL). Wide receiver Lance Alworth set a professional football record by catching at least one pass in 96 consecutive games from 1962 to 1970. During the late 1970s and early 1980s head coach Don Coryell oversaw one of the most explosive offensive units in NFL history. The team was led by quarterback Dan Fouts and wide receiver Charlie Joiner, who both set career team records -- Fouts with 43,040 passing yards and 254 passing touchdowns and Joiner with 586 receptions.

Founded by hotel magnate Barron Hilton, the Los Angeles Chargers were one of six charter members of the AFL in 1960. Although the Chargers won the AFL's Western Division championship that year under head coach Sid Gillman, the franchise posted heavy financial losses and moved to San Diego the following year. A future Hall of Fame member, Gillman steered the club to four more Western Division crowns during the next five years. San Diego lost four of five AFL Championship Games, however, recording its only victory in 1963 over the Boston Patriots. Gillman had three outstanding quarterbacks in his charge: John Hadl, Jack Kemp, and Tobin Rote. He also coached one of the era's finest wide receivers, Lance Alworth, who became the first AFL player to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Alworth posted six 1000-yard seasons in seven years, leading the league in yardage three times. Linebacker Emil Karas and end Earl Faison anchored the league's top-rated defense in 1961 and 1963.