San Diego Chargers

Lost in the focus on the late-1960s Super Bowl participants (i.e., Chiefs, Raiders, and Jets) is the fact that the Chargers were a very good team in the early 1960s. They were in 5 of the first 6 AFL Championship games, winning it in 1963. I recently added a “League Champions” chart to all my football card sidebars, so that we can appreciate the Chargers, Oilers, Bills, and Browns (in addition to the usual gang of Packers, Chiefs, Raiders, etc.)

 

After finishing in 1st place in the West for 5 of their first 6 seasons, the Chargers finished in 3rd or 4th place every year from 1966 to 1978. This 1967 club clocked in at 8-5-1, a one-game improvement over 1966’s 7-6-1. 

 

John Hadl – The Chargers’ 1st-round pick in 1962, Hadl took over for the departed Jack Kemp, and was the team’s starting QB from 1962 to 1972 (except for taking a back seat to Tobin Rote in 1963). Hadl led the league in passing yardage in ’65, ’68, and ’71. He also played for the Rams, Packers, and Oilers from 1973-77. 

 

Steve Tensi – A 4th-round pick in 1965, Tensi played sparingly in his 2 seasons with San Diego. He was the Bronco’s starting QB from 1967-69, before losing the job to Pete Liske in 1970. 

 

Paul Lowe – An undrafted free agent, Lowe was the team’s top back from 1960 to 1966 (missing the 1962 season with injuries). He rushed for over 1000 yards in ’63 and ’65, leading the AFL in 1965. He was also 1st-team All-Pro in ‘60 and ’65. Beginning in 1967, he was a backup to 1967 AFL Rookie of the Year Dickie Post. Lowe finished his career with the Chiefs in 1969. 

 

Jim Allison – A 12th-round pick in 1965, Allison played for the Chargers for 4 seasons, but only started 3 games (all in 1966). 

 

Lance Alworth was the Raiders’ 2nd-round pick in 1962, but never played for them. After playing only 4 games for the Chargers in ’62, Alworth’s career exploded in 1963 and was named AFL Player of the Year in ’63. He was also 1st-team All-Pro from 1963-68, leading the AFL in receptions 3 times and receiving yards 3 times. Alworth finished up with the Cowboys in ’71 and ’72. He was the first AFL player inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

 

Jacque MacKinnon – A 33rd (!) round pick in 1961, MacKinnon played tight end for the Chargers every season from 1961-69, except for playing halfback in 1962 in Lowe’s absence. He was the starter only in ’66 and ’68, making the All-Star team in both seasons. In 1970 he wrapped up with the Raiders.

 

Ron Mix was drafted* by the Patriots in 1960, but did not play for them. He was a starter for the Chargers in every AFL season (1960-69), and was 1st-team All-Pro every year but 1969. He was retired in 1970 but returned to play for Oakland in 1971. Mix was the second Chargers’ player inducted into the Hall of Fame (in 1979). 

 

 

Four defensive ends???

 

Tom Day was drafted by the Bills and Cardinals in 1960. After one season with St. Louis, he played for the Bills beginning in 1961. He was a starting guard until switching to defensive end in 1964, starting every game at right end for the next 3 seasons. After playing for the Chargers in 1967, he returned to the Bills for one more season. 

 

Steve DeLong was the Chargers’ 1st pick in 1965, and was a starter on the D-line from 1966-71. He started every game from 1968-71. In his final season (1972) he started every game for the Bears. 

 

Howard Kindig – A 14th-round pick in 1964, Kindig played defensive end for 2 seasons (as the starter in 1966). He split the 1967 season as a defensive tackle for the Chargers and the Bills. Beginning in 1968 he switched to offense, playing center and tackle for Buffalo from 1968-71, tackle for the Dolphins (’72), and center for the Jets (’74). 

 

Scott Appleton – This defensive tackle was the Oilers’ 1st-round pick in 1964. After 3 seasons with Houston, he played for the Chargers from 1967-68. 

 

Bob Petrich was drafted by the Chargers in 1963, and was their starting right defensive end for the next 4 seasons, starting all but 2 games. He finished his career in 1967 with the Bills. 

 

Chuck Allen – The Chargers’ 28th-round pick in 1961, Allen was the team’s starting middle linebacker from 1961-66, and in 1968. He also played for the Steelers (’70-’71) and the Eagles (1972). 

 

Frank Buncom – A 6th-round pick in 1962, Frank was the Chargers’ starting right linebacker from 1964-67, making the All-Star team in 3 of those 4 seasons. He was the expansion Bengals’ starting right linebacker in 1968, but died just hours before their 1969 season-opener.

 

Speedy Duncan was an undrafted free agent and was an excellent kick and punt returner. He led the league in yards per return in ’65, ’66, and ’71, and made the AFL All-Star team from 1965-67. He played for the Chargers from 1964-70, and the Redskins from 1971-74. From 1965-69 he was also San Diego’s starting right cornerback. 

 

 

* In 1960, the AFL draft consisted of the owners picking random names out of a hat.