Numbers the San Diego Charger Should Retire: #80
by John Gennaro on Feb 26, 2010 10:00 AM PST
27 comments
Currently the San Diego Chargers have only two jersey numbers retired (19 - Alworth, 14 - Fouts). Which numbers, and how many, are retired is up to the team's brass and therefore is met with different philosophies in each city. Some teams have zero retired numbers (Raiders) and some have as many as thirteen retired numbers (Bears). While I generally agree that there should be only a few numbers retired, I think the Chargers have left a few players out up to this point.
Over the next few weeks I'll be visiting some of these numbers and telling you why the Chargers should retire them, besides the simple fact that fans will never stop thinking of one player when they see that number/jersey combination. We start the series with a number that I've been pushing for a while to have retired, #80.
Lance Alworth is one of the best receivers in the history of football, and was a key component for the NFL-AFL merger, and he deserves to have his number retired as the greatest receiver in the history of the San Diego Chargers. However, Kellen Winslow is an even more important figure for San Diego fans. Here's why: In addition to being one of the greatest TEs of all time, he changed the way Tight Ends were looked at and was one if (if not the) toughest players on his team. As that Sporting News yearbook above states, after a while Kellen went from "football player" to "hero".
I don't know that there's any doubt that Winslow's game against the Miami Dolphins in the 1981 playoffs is the greatest game any Chargers player has ever had. In eight seasons as the Chargers starting TE, he was selected to the Pro Bowl five times. Those three seasons, and his shortened career, had a lot to do with his body taking the pounding of blocking (which Bambi never had to). If he played in today's NFL, he probably would've been healthier and had a longer career.
#80 was my first choice for one very clear reason. When I think "the best Chargers players of all time", three guys (not two) pop into my mind. Fouts, Alworth and Winslow. Every time I see Malcom Floyd in the #80 jersey, and when I used to watch Cutis Conway wearing it, I think to myself "Why are they allowed to wear Kellen's number?"
Consider the comments below to be a petition. If you agree with me, say as much in the comments below. I know that certain members of the Chargers front office read BFTB, so if we can get enough support for this here the team will hear us. If you disagree for any reason, feel free to state that too.
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Retiring numbers in football seems silly to me
They have so many restrictions on how can where what numbers and by roster size alone you need 53 numbers taken, plus another set from guys on the PS and then you’ll have guys that go on IR and get replaced by street free agents.
I think someone suggested that you honor a player every once in a while by retiring his number for a single season. Or maybe have term limits of 2 or 3 years. The Chargers do have a Ring of Honor at the Q, so it’s not like they aren’t honoring their former players.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Ring of Honor
I like that idea too.
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
by John Gennaro on Feb 26, 2010 10:43 AM PST up reply actions
I would agree with this
That said I dont want to ever seen a Chargers player in 21 again. If we draft Dwyer Im sure someone in the locker room would tell him that 21 is taken.
but if you are going to retire numbers
which they have with Fouts and Alworth, then Winslow absolutely deserves it. I like the idea of retiring numbers, but think it should be absolutely exclusive to the best of the best.
No brainer?
This should have happened at the same time as Fout’s jersey # was retired. If you think about it, would Fouts have been as great as he was WITHOUT Winslow? I think not. So, not only did Kellen revolutionize the TE position (and is still considered the gold standard at that position), but he practically made Fouts a Hall of Famer as well. Not that Fouts wasn’t great, but Kellen made Dan that much better.
If a franchise if only going to retire a handful on numbers, why not the guys that are in the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Do or do not. There is no try.
by Clip Show on Feb 26, 2010 10:14 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Thoughts on retired jerseys
I tend to think that if a player is elected to the Hall-of-Fame, and he is known primarily as a member of 1 team, then the number should be retired. This would take care of players such as Ron Mix, Charlie Joiner, and Winslow – while ignoring others such as Fred Dean. I like this above the Chargers Ring of Honor as a way to separate the all-time greats from the rest.
"As a confirmed melancholic, I can testify that the best and maybe only antidote for melancholia is *action*. However, like most melancholics, I suffer also from sloth." - Edward Abbey.
by Jeff (sliderockmpc) on Feb 26, 2010 11:33 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Joiner played 7 seasons before he became a Charger
The best and most productive of his seasons were with Air Coryell, but just sayin.
Exactly my point...
Joiner posted 164 receptions in those 7 years with Houston and Cincinnati. He posted 586 receptions in San Diego. My point with Dean was that he got into the Hall because he helped the 49ers win a pair of Super Bowls – he’s mostly associated with the 49ers, not the Chargers. It would be similar if Rodney Harrison ever made the Hall.
"As a confirmed melancholic, I can testify that the best and maybe only antidote for melancholia is *action*. However, like most melancholics, I suffer also from sloth." - Edward Abbey.
by Jeff (sliderockmpc) on Feb 26, 2010 3:51 PM PST up reply actions
Why do people keep calling the Ring of Honor an idea?
It’s there! Go to any Chargers game and its just below goes around the press box area.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
That's a really good idea
I’m surprised no one thought of the “Ring of Honor” idea before, the Chargers should really do something like that at Qualcomm.
Silly creanium robots don't understand sarcasm
by Steve (Grey Suit) on Feb 26, 2010 1:25 PM PST up reply actions
When the hell did I start getting lumped in with Wonko?
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Feb 27, 2010 1:36 PM PST up reply actions
yeah
his number souild be retired
okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24
80 and 21
No doubt these two deserve it, and it is a shame that Winslow hasn’t been given this honor. While 55 put up some SICK numbers, was voted to the Pro-bowl 12 times, first-team All-Pro pick by the Associated Press six times, as well a leading number of both San Diego Chargers and in the NFL, I don’t feel like he should be retired.
This is only because he played for the Pats. How I hate those Patriots so much I would rather “Cut off the nose to spite my face.”
21
Should be the only number ever “retired”. But it should be retired unofficially where no one ever wears it again out of respect
Retire #'s
I must agree with 80…Kellen Winslow ESTABLISHED the tight end position in the NFL in his day. Because of him, guys like Anthony Gonzales and Shannon Sharpe had hall of fame type career consideration. I also agree with 21….LT’s career in San Diego speaks for itself. He’ll finish up making a complete HALL worthy career elsewhere (curse AJ for that…the demon spawn) but he did MORE than enough as a Charger to deserve that honor without a second thought. I think Junior does deserve a lot of consideration for the honor as well….12 years watching #55 flying all over the defensive side of the ball brings some vivid memories back. He went off to New England for much the same reason as Marty left SD….AJ treated him like dog doo.
Mr. Spanos (BOTH Father and son)…Please…if you ever want to have a REAL shot at a Superbowl….find a new GM….soon!
That would be Tony Gonzalez, just for the sake of clarity.
Initially I thought of the Colts wide reciever.
Yup, I'm the nut who believes Mark Loretta is a possible future Hall of Famer.
by StrangeBroP25 on Feb 28, 2010 8:09 AM PST up reply actions
Selective memory
Are you forgetting Junior’s Miami years? Because he didn’t go straight from San Diego to New England. The Chargers released him, he signed with Miami, had a good season, got hurt in his second year, had an injury riddled third year, graduated from the NFL and then went to the Patriots where he couldn’t play on every down, couldn’t really play an entire season and helped them get exactly 0 Super Bowl wins.
That’s the reality of what happened. Not exactly the production you would be looking for if you were paying the guy to be one of the best LBs in the NFL.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Mar 1, 2010 9:39 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
retire #80
Its a puzzle to me why #80 has not been retired yet…when I see malcolm floyd wearing #80 it seems to me that he does not deserve wearing such sacred jersey #80. insulting the greatness that the real # 80 used to be.
Winslow and the Spanos faimily had a falling out
both sides hate one another.
by Steve (Grey Suit) on Feb 27, 2010 1:44 PM PST up reply actions
#80 & #21
I look at at championship banners or SB rings. It’s a team
sport right? Hall of Fame ballots, erecting statues, and retiring
numbers are a waste of time. What great about team sports
is that the game endures. Success and failure goes in cycles
(unless you’re the Padres). I appreciate the contribution of one
and all. Winslow benefitted by the rule change in ‘78 which opened
the passing game in the NFL. He also benefitted by not being drafted
by the Detroit Lions. If you’re going to retire #21, put John Hadl’s
name down first. Why? He helped San Diego win it’s ONLY major
sports title (AFL 1963). Again, folks. Championships count. All
team records. Personal records, etc. etc. blah, blah, blah Don’t Matter.
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