The Demise of the San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers have never been any form of serious contender for a Super Bowl type of run. Nor have they really been a consistent threat to even make the playoffs. Charger fans just haven’t had much to cheer for in the 56 year history of the program. Sure they won a League Championship in the AFL in 1964, but how many people actually care about championships before the Super Bowl Era? Since the NFL merger, San Diego has played 46 seasons, and has just nine seasons with 10 or more wins; and just 17 season with a winning record. And in those winning season, they made the playoffs 13 times, but rarely making it past the Divisional Round. Making the Conference Championship just four times with one Super Bowl appearance. And going one-and-done five times. They were never the contender that they hoped to be, yet one thing seemed to always remain consistent.
The fans in San Diego. For 56 years, the fans grew to love their Chargers, the darlings from Southern California that have had enough good seasons to keep the viewing interesting. Along with stars coming around with the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson, Shawne Merriman, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates. The people of San Diego were in love with the Chargers, in part because the only other professional franchise in this part of Southern California was Major League Baseball’s Padres, and fans had the opportunity to root for a team in the NFL season. Nonetheless, the Chargers were an entire city’s team, even through rough patches, the fans stuck with them.
And now, in 2017, after another down year in which the Chargers followed a 4-12 performance of last year with a 5-11 performance this year...with the pinnacle of disappointment being a loss to the then winless Cleveland Browns...the San Diego Chargers are doing the unthinkable to many of their fans. The Chargers have announced that their move to Los Angeles will become official for next year. A once loved San Diego team is moving to the San Diego loathed city of Los Angeles. Capping off the epitome of a disappointing year and quite frankly, a disappointing 56 years in San Diego.