Coy Bacon, DE

Mike Goff, G

George Gross, DT

Joey Howard, T

Bill Hudson, DT

Ron Nery, DE

Volney Peters, DT

Marcus Price, T

Andy Rice, DT

Curtis Rouse, G

Jon Runyan, T

Tony Savage, NT

Sammy Williams, T

Solomon Page, G

The Winner

Gary Johnson, DT

Johnson’s best year was in 1980.  In fact, it was one of the best years in franchise history.  Aside from the typical Air Coryell offensive explosion, the Chargers had a league high 60 sacks that season, and part of the reason was that there were no weak links in the Dline.  Johnson picked up 17.5 sacks that season, more than anyone in the league that year, and was selected to the Pro Bowl.  In fact, 75% of the AFC Pro Bowl DLine that year was made up of Chargers. 

Johnson was not huge, but he was quick and incredibly strong; it was a lethal combination.  Johnson spent his best years, 1975-1984 as a Charger and picked up over 60 sacks during that time, he made the Pro Bowl from 80-83.  He still ranks second in all time Charger sacks.

When Johnson passed away earlier this year, it felt to many of us like an old friend had died.  To quote Brian (DaBolts), who helped with much of this tribute: “What I always liked about Johnson was his smile; you could tell that he was one of those guys that left all the aggression on the field.  Big Hands was doing something he loved and excelled at it.”