Monte Bennett, DE

Ben Bordelon, T

Ed Ellis, T

Joe Goebel, C

Darrel Gofourth, G

Tyronne Green, G

Curtis Jones, G

John Lee, DT

Huh??  Maybe it’s the stigma of wearing the number 69 (tee hee).  Or maybe it’s just utter coincidence that the guys who wore the number in Chargers’ history stunk.  Well, in case any of them are reading this, not "stunk," per se.  Just… weren’t able to parlay their natural talent, hard work ethic and prep and collegiate success into a quality NFL career – due to circumstances beyond their control, of course.

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Bob Briggs, DE

Joe Cocozzo, G

Don Estes, G

Orlando Ferrante, G

Gary Kowalski, T

Lloyd McCoy, G

Elliot Silvers, T

Brian Vertefeuille, G

Greg Wojcik, DT

Finally, some competition.  So much so, that I’ll let you guys decide.  Please carefully review each candidate’s material before voting. 

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• Kevin Breedlove,G/T 
• Stan Brock, T 
• Roman Fortin, C 
• Leo Goeas, T 
• Charles Kempinska, G 
• Archie Matsos, LB 
• Joe Toledo, OT 
• Greg Feasel, T 

 The Don Coryell Farewell Appreciation tour rolls on… 

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Richard Brown, LB

Jeromey Clary, T

Carey Clayton, C

Fred Cole, G

Kevin Gogan, OL

Jim Mills, G

Reggie Nelson, G

Cory Raymer, C

Rick Redman, LB-P

Dan Rosado, G

Rich Umphrey, G

The death of Don Coryell comes at a key time in the Golden Jersey series.  For the next few numbers, we remember that those teams weren’t just about the skill players.  Back in the Air Coryell days, even the tackles got out in front on sweeps.

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David Brandt, C/G

Brown Booker, T

Doerger Jerry, T

John Jackson, OG

Mark Markovich, C

David Richards, T

Louis Vasquez, G

Cory Withrow, C/G

The Winner

Sam Gruneisen, C/G (’62-’72)

And then there was Sam Gruneisen.  "Gruneisen" is some kind of Baltic language for "Who??"  Well, I’m here to tell you that Gruneisen was good!  Or at least he must have been because he stuck around with the team for 10 years, and they were pretty good years too – except for the last 3.  But by then, "Gruneisen" was Scandinavian for "He’s pretty much done.  Another one Gillman practically killed."

But now "Gruneisen" is German for "Show me to my fitting!"

Phil Bogle, T

Dave Costa, DT

Hosea Fortune, WR

Kendyl Jacox, C

Chuck Loewen, G-T

Dennis Norman, C-G

Duane Pettitt, DE 

Mark Rodenhauser, C

Jim Schmedding, G

Bill Searcey, G

Bryan Stoltenberg, C

Curtis Whitley, C-G

Yeesh, 64.  After two easy perennial Hall of Famers, now this… With no other options, I’m gonna reach back in time.

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Frank Cornish, C-OG

David Diaz-lnfante, G

Kelvin Garmon, G 

Jim Leonard, G

Raleigh McKenzie, C-G

Scott Mruczkowski, C

Ray Smoot, G-T

The Winner

  "Did you say something funny about my neck pad??"

Doug Wilkerson, G

14 frickin’ seasons as an offensive lineman in the NFL.  14!  That’s fourteen years of getting beat up, assaulted, and basically mugged on every play.  Wait a second… this all sounds familiar.  Yes, as was often the case in there playing days: as Don Macek goes, so goes Doug Wilkerson.  They both played 14 seasons for the Chargers – nine of them together.  Not sure if they finished each other’s sentences, but I’ll bet they could recognize each other’s scents.  And as a reward for their service, back-to-back uncontested Golden Jerseys.

Two things stand out for me as it relates to Wilkerson – well, three if you count the ubiquitous neck pad.  The Chargers were not his first team!  He actually played one year with the Oilers, having been drafted by them in the 1^st round (why they got rid of him, I’ll never know).  So he actually played 15 SEASONS in the NFL.

The other thing was his size.  Wilkerson was as big as a modern day linebacker.  Or should I say, as small.  6’3, 250.  How far we’ve come.  But how far Wilkerson went.  Three Pro Bowls and the Charges Hall of Fame.  And now a Golden Jersey.

Ben Coleman, G 

Brandyn Dombrowski, T

Bernie Erickson, LB

John Farris, G

Bob Hallen, G

Harold Paul, T

Four of the next six numbers harken back to the glory years of Air Coryell and its stellar offensive line that gave Fouts the time to do his thing and the space for Muncie to do his.

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