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Shutdown Corner

Wed May 13, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

A look at the AFL legacy uniforms: The 1963 San Diego Chargers

By MJD

Eight former AFL teams will wear 1960s throwback uniforms during "legacy games" in the 2009 season. Shutdown Corner takes a look back (or ahead, if you will) at those throwback jerseys in advance of the season. Today, we look at the 1963 San Diego Chargers.

Yes. You're right. They are beautiful. Right now, you probably wish you could reach out and touch them. Many of you are probably licking your monitors.

Don't fight it. They are that majestic. Many would argue that they are the gold standard by which all other NFL uniforms should be judged. The perfect shade of blue, the numbered helmets, the lightning bolt-as-pants stripe ... they're not uniforms, they're art.

They're not totally unfamiliar to NFL fans, either, so there's not much reason to go into detail on them. Up until two years ago, the Chargers would break them out twice a year. Then the organization went through a bit of a uniform facelift, and now, twice a year, their alternate jerseys are the same as the regular jerseys, just with a lighter and more electric shade of blue. You can see the difference here.

There is one odd little thing to note, though. As noted here, in 1963, the Chargers had a shield on the front of their helmets. And though the league says we'll be seeing the 1963 version of the Chargers uniforms, I don't believe the shield will be making an appearance. There's no trace of it on the helmet sitting in front of Norv here.

Related: Back in the Day

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95 Comments

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  1. Chad B
    1. Posted by Chad B Wed May 13, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    Arguably the most beautiful uniform in football, pro or college. The numbers on the helmets rock.
  2. Maurice A
    2. Posted by Maurice A Wed May 13, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    the best uniform ever made!
  3. Scott E
    3. Posted by Scott E Wed May 13, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    I like the helmet better without the shield. I also like the white better than Fout's blue version. Yes, ONE of the best uniforms ever, but also consider:
    Yes - the Silver and Black unis from Stabler's day (not sure if it's even changed)
    70's version of the Steelers' black and gold uni (not sure if it's even changed)
    The throwback Niners uni
    Joe Namath's all white uni
    Gale Sayer's era Chicago home and away jerseys
    Just a thought or two. Don't beat me up too badly. :)
  4. Scott E
    4. Posted by Scott E Wed May 13, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    Don't forget - Every uni for every team that's ever played in the Lingerie Football League or equivalent.
  5. ButchCassidy
    5. Posted by ButchCassidy Wed May 13, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    MJD- I can always count on you to be impartial.
  6. Scott E
    6. Posted by Scott E Wed May 13, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    Just a suggestion, but since it is the off-season, let's rate cheerleader unis throughout NFL history.
  7. Scott E
    7. Posted by Scott E Wed May 13, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

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    Butch - It's not MJD's job to be impartial. It's his job to throw stuff out to us and then we trash him and each other and call it an intelligent discussion. :)
  8. nvandy89
    8. Posted by nvandy89 Wed May 13, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    I guess I didn't realize the Titans were going to be wearing Oilers uniforms. Isn't that kind of a slap in the face to the fans in Houston? Would they let the Ravens wear Browns throwbacks?
  9. John A
    9. Posted by John A Wed May 13, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    Interesting background on the card. Not Balboa Stadium. And SD Stadium AKA The Murph, AKA Qual comm was not evet thought of in 1963.
  10. KarlSaxon M
    10. Posted by KarlSaxon M Wed May 13, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    I being a Buffalonian am very familiar with the old AFL. I grew up just feet from War Memorial Stadium and used to love going to games with my dad...The Chargers Uniforms were and still are my favorite ever
  11. Nicolas
    11. Posted by Nicolas Wed May 13, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    As much as I hate NewEngland there old logo with th ePatriot snapping the ball is one of the sweetest helmets...
  12. Nicolas
    12. Posted by Nicolas Wed May 13, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    Buffalonian really is that what you guys call yourselfs??? hahahahahahahhahahahha(pause) hahahhahahahaha
  13. smook
    13. Posted by smook Wed May 13, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    Yup, best uniforms in all of sports.
  14. Tony
    14. Posted by Tony Wed May 13, 2009 5:42 pm EDT

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    ... and the single bar face guard? might improved the looks of some of those guys!
  15. brian b
    15. Posted by brian b Wed May 13, 2009 6:30 pm EDT

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    The Chargers should switch their uniforms to the glory days. Oh wait, they have never had glory days. Ugliest uniforms ever.
  16. john k
    16. Posted by john k Wed May 13, 2009 6:33 pm EDT

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    the stadium in the background John is the Coliseum in LA, their first home.
  17. brian b
    17. Posted by brian b Wed May 13, 2009 6:34 pm EDT

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    If you want to looks soft, put on a baby blue chargers uniform.
  18. brian b
    18. Posted by brian b Wed May 13, 2009 6:41 pm EDT

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    Balboa Stadium looks like a high school stadium. That's definitely LA Coliseum.
  19. brian b
    19. Posted by brian b Wed May 13, 2009 6:43 pm EDT

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    Mcneil did play for both LA and San Diego but that isn't BAlboa.
    Charles Edis McNeil (born August 7, 1936 in Caldwell, TX) is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He was a defensive back who played for the American Football League's Los Angeles and San Diego Chargers. He played in four of the first five AFL Championship games (1960, 1961, 1963, and 1964), and was a member of the Chargers' 1963 AFL Championship team, an All-AFL player in 1961, and an AFL Western Division All-Star in 1961. He held the Professional Football record for 43 years, for the most interception yardage (349) in one season (1961), and most inteception yards in one game (also in 1961). The one-game record still stands
  20. Kix
    20. Posted by Kix Wed May 13, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    I don't think the Baltimore Ravens are the same team as the Cleveland Browns since the city sued to keep the name and the Ravens were considered an expansion team while the Titans just picked up and moved.
  21. brian b
    21. Posted by brian b Wed May 13, 2009 6:50 pm EDT

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    IT's kinda weird the card says San Diego Chargers if the LA Coliseum is in the background. Upon further replay that probably is BAlboa Park. At one point Balboa Park (known as City STadium) could fit 35k. They made it smaller once the Chargers bailed.
    Today the stadium has been altered to have a much smaller seating capacity than at the time it housed the Chargers, and most of its distinguishing architectural features have been removed. The remaining seating is made up of simple concrete bleachers, which also form the walls of the canyon the field is built in.
    The stadium is home to the San Diego Pumitas minor league soccer club of the National Premier Soccer League as well as being used by the San Diego High School for local high school sporting and other events. During the 1990s and the 2000s, it was also used as the home field (for football only) by St. Augustine High School. The stadium is owned by the City of San Diego and leased to the San Diego Unified School District, which is responsible for its maintenance.
  22. brian b
    22. Posted by brian b Wed May 13, 2009 6:54 pm EDT

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    HOnestly if you look at the Norv Turner link above, The chargers have the ugliest uniform out of all of them.
  23. Tall John
    23. Posted by Tall John Wed May 13, 2009 6:55 pm EDT

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    Yeah... Greatest ever... if u consider a light blue perfect for a violent game! There is no room for these gay-a$$ colors in football.... my bad, i meant theres no room for gay-a$$ MJD in football!!! MJD, go stain some sheets while gripping it to ur Rivers fat-head!!!
  24. brian b
    24. Posted by brian b Wed May 13, 2009 6:59 pm EDT

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    I agree with MisterJ about the uniform. It gives the appearance of a team full of pansies.
  25. brian b
    25. Posted by brian b Wed May 13, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

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    The best uniform ever hands down is the Raiders uniform.

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