Los Angeles Chargers all-time Mount Rushmore

WR Lance Alworth

In 1962, Lance Alworth was drafted by the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers in the first round and the AFL’s Oakland Raiders in the second round and wound up playing for neither. The latter would deal the right to the University of Arkansas wide receiver to the San Diego Chargers, and the rest is history. The Pro Football Hall-of-Famer went by the nickname of “Bambi” and was one of the genuine stars of the American Football League.

It was his days with the Bolts that were simply electrifying. He would play in 111 regular-season contests for the club and total 493 receptions for an amazing 9,584 yards (19.4 average) and 81 touchdowns. It was during his tenure with the Chargers (under head coach Sid Gillman) that he was named All-Pro six times and earned seven Pro Bowl invitations. He reeled off seven straight 1,000-plus yards receiving campaigns from 1963-69 and scored at least 10 touchdown in each of those seasons but one.

The franchise is known for its excellence when it comes to pass catchers. Performers such as wideouts John Jefferson, Wes Chandler, Anthony Miller and today Keenan Allen are joined by tight ends such as Kellen Winslow and Antonio Gates – with Joiner and Winslow also members of that Canton fraternity. But “Bambi” was something extraordinary.