>The Original Fearsome Foursome
Share> When the term “Fearsome Foursome” is used by football fans, it is typically in reference to the Los Angeles Rams defensive line of the 1960s that featured Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy, Merlin...
View Article>1961 AFL Rookie of the Year – Earl Faison
Share> Though known primarily for his offensive genius, Sid Gillman used the Chargers’ first pick in the 1961 AFL Draft on a strapping defensive end from the University of Indiana, named Earl...
View Article>The Super Gnat – The Kansas City Chiefs’ Noland Smith
Share> One of the fun things about the American Football League is that it was full of characters. There was Ernie “Giant Cat” Ladd, who stood 6’9″ and weighed 325 lbs., and was a professional...
View ArticleErnie Ladd Could Eat!!!
Share At 6’9″ and somewhere around 325 lbs, it should not be a surprise to anyone that Ernie Ladd knew his way around the dinner table. A San Diego Chargers press release from 1961 discusses Ladd...
View ArticleThe Blockbuster Trade that Didn’t Happen
ShareIt would have been a big one. San Diego Chargers defensive stars Earl Faison and Ernie Ladd to the Houston Oilers in exchange for John Baker, Gary Cutsinger and Pete Jaquess. The Oilers would...
View ArticleEmail from the AFL – San Diego Chargers George Blair
ShareGeorge Blair played defensive back and kicker for the San Diego Chargers from 1961-1964, before a leg injury suffered in a game against the Patriots prematurely ended his career. Blair led the...
View ArticleErnie Ladd and the 1960 Chargers Lightning Bolt
ShareI recently picked up this photo of Chargers defensive lineman, Ernie Ladd. Ladd has always been kind of a mythical AFL figure, with his size, boisterous personality and wrestling career all...
View ArticleThe Big Cat at the Big Eat
In a fun reminiscence for The San Diego Union-Tribune, columnist Logan Jenkins detailed a great story about the Golden West Eating Classic which was held to raise money for Children’s Hospital in 1963....
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