Monday, June 28, 2010

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers finished in 3rd place with an 8-5-1 record in 1967. In 1968, they improved slightly to 9-5, but still finished in 3rd place. Among all the mediocrity were 2 future Hall-of-Famers: Lance Alworth and Ron Mix.

I had Garrison, Frazier, Mix, and Redman in 1968. The others (as with all the 2nd-series cards) were acquired in the 1980s.


#63 John Hadl - Hadl was drafted by the Chargers in 1962, and became the starting QB as a rookie when Jack Kemp was 1st sidelined by an injury, then Kemp was lost to the Buffalo Bills in a botched waiver move. After losing the starting job to veteran Tobin Rote in 1963, John regained the position in 1964 and held it through the 1972 season. He later played for the Rams, Packers, and Oilers, retiring after the 1977 season. Hadl (#21) was the last QB to wear a jersey number higher than #19.


#141 Brad Hubbert - Brad played for the Chargers from 1967-70, and was their starting fullback in 1967 and 1969. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

#193 Lance Alworth - Alworth was one of the all-time top receivers in the AFL. He led the league in receptions in '66, '68, and '69, in receiving yards in '65, '66, and '68, and in touchdowns in '64, '65, and '66. Although drafted by the Raiders in 1962, he began his career with the Chargers that season, and was San Diego's starting flanker from 1963-70. He also played for the Cowboys in 1971 and 1972, appearing in Super Bowl VI. A seven-time Pro Bowler, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.


#36 Gary Garrison - Gary looks more like a star from 77 Sunset Strip than a football player here. Drafted by the Eagles in 1965, Garrison was the Chargers' starting split end from 1966-75, and finished his career in 1977 with the Oilers.


#11 Willie Frazier - After 2 seasons (1964-65) as the Oilers' tight end, Willie started for the Chargers from 1966-70. In 1971 and 1972, he played for the Oilers and Chiefs. After missing 2 seasons, he returned in 1975 to play 5 games with the Oilers.


#89 Ron Mix - Ron played all 10 seasons for the Chargers in the AFL (1960-69). He made first-team all-pro in his first 9 seasons as the Chargers' starting right offensive tackle (right guard in 1962). After missing the 1970 season, he finished up with the Raiders in 1971. Mix was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.


#115 Rick Redman - Redman was drafted by both the Chargers and Eagles in 1965, but played his entire career (1965-73) with the Chargers. Early on, he was the team's starting middle linebacker, but moved outside for his final 3 seasons. He was also the team's punter for his first 3 seasons.


#167 "Speedy" Duncan - Duncan played for the Chargers from 1964-70, and was the team's primary kick and punt returner. He was also the starting right cornerback from 1965-69. Speedy later played for the Redskins from 1971-74, primarily as a kick and punt returner.


Also see the 1971 and 1972 Chargers.


Next time: Denver Broncos
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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

interesting story... the Chargers were going to retire #74 for MIx...then he came out of retirement to play for the Raiders, so they cancelled the ceremony. It was later worn with much distinction by Louie Kelcher

Erik said...

I love the 1968 Topps set and just started putting it together.

Thanks for the great blog.

Erik said...

By the way, John Hadl is one of my all time favorite AFL players.

I always thought it was so cool that he was a QB and his jersey number was 21.

Jim from Downingtown said...

Erik,

I guess the No Fun League grandfathered him in after they mandated guidelines for uniform numbering per position - at least until he switched teams. (I think he wore #12 with the Packers).

Erik said...

Jim,

Hadl did wear #12 when he was traded to the Packers during the 1974 season but switched back to #21 for the 1975 season with the Packers and the 1976 and '77 seasons with the Oilers.

Not sure why he wore 12 when he went to the Pack in 74.

Erik

Jim from Downingtown said...

Erik,

I learned today that some guy named Charlie V. Hall wore #21 for the Packers in 1974. At the start of the following season, he switched numbers to accomodate Hadl.

Erik said...

Thanks Jim for that piece of information, that explains it.

Hadl's stats are very comparable to Joe Namath who is in the Hall of Fame. Hadl just didn't win one of the biggest games in Pro Football history nor did he play in New York.

Jim from Downingtown said...

Erik,

Hadl seemed to miss out on all the important requirements for fame back in that time:

1. He played in the AFL, not the NFL

2. He played for a western team, (which I suspect was) away from the collective consciousness of the general football fan.

3. Even in the west, he played for a team NOT in Oakland or Kansas City.

I think if he had satisfied even one of these 3 "requirements", he would have received more recognition.

Erik said...

I agree with those points Jim. It seems like there are several AFL players who did not get the recognition they deserved because they played for the Other League.