Top 50 Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers came into existence in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League.

The stay in Los Angeles was brief, as they moved south to San Diego the season after, but this was one of the most successful teams in the AFL.  They would make the playoff five times in the upstart league, winning the AFL Title in 1963.  

The Chargers would be part of the AFL-NFL merger, and while they have had their share of excellent players, they have only made the Super Bowl once, a losing effort in 1994.  In 2016, the Chargers moved back to Los Angeles.

This list is up to the end of the 2021 season.

Note: Football lists are based on an amalgamation of tenure, traditional statistics, advanced statistics, playoff statistics, and post-season accolades.

1. Junior Seau

1. Junior Seau
Top 50 Los Angeles Chargers
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Junior Seau was a sensation in Southern California, but that happened before playing a down of pro football.  Seau was from Riverside, California, and he played his college ball at USC, so when he was drafted Fifth Overall by the San Diego Chargers, he was already beloved and right at home.
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2. LaDainian Tomlinson

2. LaDainian Tomlinson
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The greatest Running Back in the history of Texas Christian University would also become the greatest Running Back in Los Angeles Chargers history.
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3. Lance Alworth

3. Lance Alworth
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The San Francisco 49ers of the NFL and the Oakland Raiders of the AFL both drafted Lance Alworth, but it was the AFL where Alworth would join after his AFL rights were traded to the San Diego Chargers before his 1962 rookie season.  The Chargers gave up three players for Alworth, and it still turned out to be a robbery in…
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4. Dan Fouts

4. Dan Fouts
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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.
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5. Philip Rivers

5. Philip Rivers
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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…
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6. Kellen Winslow

6. Kellen Winslow
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The San Diego Chargers used their First Round Pick in 1979 to obtain Kellen Winslow, a Tight End from Missouri.  Injuries held him to seven Games that year, but over the next four years, he was easily the best Tight End in the National Football League.
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7. Ron Mix

7. Ron Mix
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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…
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8. Antonio Gates

8. Antonio Gates
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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.
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9. Walt Sweeney

9. Walt Sweeney
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The San Diego Chargers struck gold with their Second Overall Pick in 1963 with Syracuse Offensive Guard, Walt Sweeney.
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10. Charlie Joiner

10. Charlie Joiner
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Charlie Joiner made his pro football debut in 1969 with the Houston Oilers, and he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 1972, where he stayed until he was dealt to San Diego after the 1975 season.  Joiner was 28 at the time of the trade, and the Wide Receiver had accumulated 2,943 Yards.  That wasn't bad, but it would pale to…
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11. John Hadl

11. John Hadl
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After signing with the San Diego Chargers in 1962 (instead of the Detroit Lions of the NFL), John Hadl shared Quarterback duties with Tobin Rote, where he backed him up as the Chargers won the 1963 AFL Championship.
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12. Leslie O'Neal

12. Leslie O'Neal
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Leslie O'Neal had a phenomenal (or tragic) rookie season for the San Diego Chargers, who took the Oklahoma State Cowboy with their First Round Pick.  Not only was O'Neal an All-Rookie, but he was also named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.  However, it was equally tragic as he injured his knee, which ended not only that year, but the following season…
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13. Russ Washington

13. Russ Washington
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A former Defensive Player of the Year at Mizzou, Russ Washington parlayed that into the Fourth Overall Pick of the 1968 Draft.
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14. Doug Wilkerson

14. Doug Wilkerson
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After playing his rookie season with the Houston Oilers, Doug Wilkerson was traded to the San Diego Chargers for Tight End, Willie Frazier.  Frazier had been a two-time AFL All-Star for the Chargers, but his best days were behind him.  Wilkerson went on to play 14 years for San Diego.
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15. Gary Garrison

15. Gary Garrison
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Playing his college ball at San Diego State, Gary Garrison was one of the many players in the 1960s who was drafted in both the National Football League and American Football League.  Garrison stayed in San Diego, joining the Chargers, who drafted him instead of Philadelphia of the NFL.
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16. Gary Johnson

16. Gary Johnson
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Gary "Big Hands" Johnson had one of the best nicknames in football, don't you think?   He was not just a colorful moniker as Johnson was also an excellent Defensive Tackle.
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17. Kris Dielman

17. Kris Dielman
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In 2003, Kris Dielman found a home in San Diego, making the practice squad undrafted out of Indiana.  With six games left in the season, Dielman was called up in a reserve role, and while he was still a backup the following season, he was on the regular roster. 
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18. Eric Weddle

18. Eric Weddle
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One of the greatest Defensive Backs in the history of the Chargers is without a doubt that Eric Weddle, a Second Round Pick from Utah.
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19. Earl Faison

19. Earl Faison
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The professional career of Earl Faison might have been relatively brief, but his impact was undeniable.
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