Antonio Gates had a good career a Kent State, but it did not result in any NFL team drafting him in 2003.  The San Diego Chargers signed him, and he would wear the lightning bolt on his helmet for the entirety of his 16-year career.

Ron Mix had a spectacular career at USC, and to nobody's surprise, he was a First Round Pick in the NFL.  The problem was that it was the Baltimore Colts on the East Coast who chose him, and the native of Los Angeles wanted to stay close to home.  In the AFL, the Boston Patriots took him in the first-ever draft of that league, but a trade to the Chargers allowed him to stay close to home.

Philip Rivers was not the Quarterback that the San Diego Chargers wanted at first.  They had the first overall pick in 2004, and it was Eli Manning they hoped to select; however, Peyton's little brother openly stated that he would not sign with the Bolts.  It all worked out, as they arranged a deal with the New York Giants, who made a draft-day trade for their first rounder, which was fourth overall, and Rivers went from North Carolina State to Southern California.

Dan Fouts played his entire pro career with the San Diego Chargers, and he was his arm that the passing mantra of Don “Air” Coryell was built on.