1969 San Diego Chargers season
NFL team season
The 1969 San Diego Chargers season was the team's tenth as a franchise and their ninth in San Diego . It began with the team trying to improve on their 9–5 record in 1968 , as this would be the last season for the team with a winning record until 1978 . It was the last American Football League season before the AFL–NFL merger . It was also Sid Gillman 's final season as the team's head coach, as he resigned due to poor health in the middle of the season, and Charlie Waller took over for the last five games.
Offseason
NFL/AFL draft
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
Recap
1
September 14
Kansas City Chiefs
L 9–27
0–1
San Diego Stadium
47,988
Recap
2
September 21
at Cincinnati Bengals
L 20–34
0–2
Nippert Stadium
26,243
Recap
3
September 28
New York Jets
W 34–27
1–2
San Diego Stadium
54,042
Recap
4
October 4
Cincinnati Bengals
W 21–14
2–2
San Diego Stadium
52,748
Recap
5
October 11
at Miami Dolphins
W 21–14
3–2
Miami Orange Bowl
34,585
Recap
6
October 19
at Boston Patriots
W 13–10
4–2
Alumni Stadium
18,346
Recap
7
October 26
Oakland Raiders
L 12–24
4–3
San Diego Stadium
54,008
Recap
8
November 2
at Denver Broncos
L 0–13
4–4
Mile High Stadium
45,511
Recap
9
November 9
at Kansas City Chiefs
L 3–27
4–5
Municipal Stadium
51,104
Recap
10
November 16
at Oakland Raiders
L 16–21
4–6
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
54,372
Recap
11
November 23
Denver Broncos
W 45–24
5–6
San Diego Stadium
34,664
Recap
12
November 27
at Houston Oilers
W 21–17
6–6
Houston Astrodome
40,065
Recap
13
December 7
Boston Patriots
W 28–18
7–6
San Diego Stadium
33,146
Recap
14
December 14
Buffalo Bills
W 45–6
8–6
San Diego Stadium
47,582
Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week One: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Chiefs
3
10
7 7 27
Chargers
3
0
6 0 9
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : September 14Game time : 1:05 p.m. PDT Game weather : 70 °F (21.1 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 8 mphGame attendance : 47,988Referee : Bob Finley Box score
Game information
First quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 35-yard field goal, 11:20. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 3:40.
SDG – Dennis Partee 50-yard field goal, 2:50. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:54.
Second quarter
KAN – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:00. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 4:20.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal, 2:03. Chiefs 13–3. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 3:03.
Third quarter
SDG – John Hadl 9-yard run (run failed), 3:30. Chiefs 13–9. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:12.
KAN – Otis Taylor 55-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 2:46. Chiefs 20–9. Drive: 1 play, 55 yards, 0:44.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Otis Taylor 9-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:20. Chiefs 27–9. Drive: 1 play, 9 yards, 0:19.
Top passers
KAN – Len Dawson – 19/34, 223 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 16/29, 220 yards, 4 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
KAN – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Lance Alworth – 4 receptions, 94 yards
Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week Two: San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Chargers
3
10
7 0 20
Bengals
7
10
14 3 34
at Nippert Stadium , Cincinnati, Ohio
Date : September 21Game weather : 62 °F (16.7 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 9 mphGame attendance : 26,243Box score
Game information
First quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 29-yard field goal, 5:36. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 3:00.
CIN – Greg Cook 9-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick), 1:07. Bengals 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 4:29.
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal, 14:15. Bengals 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 1:52.
CIN – Horst Muhlmann 17-yard field goal, 5:16. Bengals 10–6. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 6:27.
SDG – Brad Hubbert 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 1:56. Chargers 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:20.
CIN – Speedy Thomas 9-yard pass from Greg Cook (Horst Muhlmann kick), 1:05. Bengals 17–13. Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, 0:51.
Third quarter
CIN – Bob Trumpy 78-yard pass from Greg Cook (Horst Muhlmann kick), 9:11. Bengals 24–13. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:52.
SDG – Bob Briggs fumble recovery in end zone (Dennis Partee kick), 6:45. Bengals 24–20.
CIN – Bruce Coslet 39-yard pass from Greg Cook (Horst Muhlmann kick), 4:25. Bengals 31–20. Drive: 4 plays, 67 yards, 2:20.
Fourth quarter
CIN – Horst Muhlmann 23-yard field goal, 13:30. Bengals 34–20. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 2:49.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/30, 229 yards, INT
CIN – Greg Cook – 14/22, 327 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 3 receptions, 109 yards
CIN – Bob Trumpy – 3 receptions, 118 yards, TD
Week 3: vs. New York Jets
Week Three: New York Jets at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Jets
0
10
3 14 27
Chargers
7
17
3 7 34
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : September 28Game time : 1:00 p.m. PDT Game weather : 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 10 mphGame attendance : 54,042Referee : Ben Dreith Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 42-yard field goal, 9:52. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 33 yards.
NYJ – George Sauer 21-yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick), 6:36. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:16.
SDG – Russ Smith 5-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 2:09. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:27.
SDG – Gary Garrison 13-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:32. Chargers 24–7. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 0:36.
NYJ – Jim Turner 47-yard field goal, 0:04. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 0:28.
Third quarter
NYJ – Jim Turner 37-yard field goal, 11:16. Chargers 24–13. Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 2:19.
SDG – Dennis Partee 27-yard field goal, 2:55. Chargers 27–13. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 4:06.
Fourth quarter
NYJ – Emerson Boozer 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 14:18. Chargers 27–20. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards.
SDG – Gary Garrison 29-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 11:17. Chargers 34–20. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 3:01.
NYJ – George Sauer 14-yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick), 8:24. Chargers 34–27. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 2:53.
Top passers
NYJ – Joe Namath – 29/51, 344 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 19/31, 281 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
NYJ – Emerson Boozer – 7 rushes, 45 yards, TD
SDG – Dickie Post – 12 rushes, 58 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – George Sauer – 9 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Gary Garrison – 10 receptions, 188 yards, 2 TD
Week 4: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week Four: Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Bengals
7
0
7 0 14
Chargers
7
7
0 7 21
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : October 4Game weather : 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 9 mphGame attendance : 52,748Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SDG – Brad Hubbert 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 14–7.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SDG – Brad Hubbert 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 21–14.
Top passers
CIN – Sam Wyche – 7/18, 115 yards, TD
SDG – John Hadl – 17/27, 238 yards, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
CIN – Bob Trumpy – 2 receptions, 74 yards, TD
SDG – Lance Alworth – 8 receptions, 125 yards
Week 5: at Miami Dolphins
Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Chargers
0
14
0 7 21
Dolphins
0
0
7 7 14
at Orange Bowl , Miami, Florida
Date : October 11Game weather : 79 °F (26.1 °C), relative humidity 70%, wind 9 mphGame attendance : 34,585Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 40-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 5:28. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards.
SDG – Gary Garrison 26-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:19. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SDG – Kenny Graham 65-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 6:46. Chargers 21–7.
MIA – Jim Kiick 2-yard run (Karl Kremser kick), 6:06. Chargers 21–14.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 13/28, 195 yards, 2 TD, INT
MIA – Bob Griese – 18/31, 171 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Dickie Post – 14 rushes, 38 yards
MIA – Jim Kiick – 11 rushes, 29 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TD
MIA – Larry Seiple – 4 receptions, 64 yards
Week 6: at Boston Patriots
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 12-yard field goal, 1:57. Patriots 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:45.
Third quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 28-yard field goal, 9:10. Patriots 7–6. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 5:50.
Fourth quarter
SDG – John Hadl 6-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 12:25. Chargers 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 20 yards, 1:35.
BOS – Gino Cappelletti 32-yard field goal, 8:24. Chargers 13–10. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:46.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 15/26, 163 yards
BOS – Mike Taliaferro – 11/25, 90 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 7: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week Seven: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Raiders
7
7
7 3 24
Chargers
3
3
0 6 12
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : October 26Game time : 1:00 p.m. PST Game weather : 63 °F (17.2 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 10 mphGame attendance : 54,008Referee : Walt FitzgeraldBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
OAK – Warren Wells 16-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 14:55. Raiders 14–3. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:16.
SDG – Dennis Partee 46-yard field goal, 6:50. Raiders 14–6. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 1:27.
Third quarter
OAK – Roger Hagberg 15-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 1:22. Raiders 21–6. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 4:17.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Lance Alworth 3-yard pass from John Hadl (pass failed), 11:26. Raiders 21–12. Drive: 14 plays, 73 yards, 4:39.
OAK – George Blanda 28-yard field goal, 1:13. Raiders 24–12. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:14.
Top passers
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 19/26, 237 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 12/45, 167 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
OAK – Warren Wells – 4 receptions, 64 yards, TD
SDG – Lance Alworth – 6 receptions, 96 yards, TD
Week 8: at Denver Broncos
Week Eight: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Chargers
0
0
0 0 0
Broncos
0
0
13 0 13
at Mile High Stadium , Denver, Colorado
Date : November 2Game weather : 29 °F (−1.7 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 6 mph, wind chill 24Game attendance : 45,511Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 8/20, 51 yards
DEN – Steve Tensi – 15/32, 219 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
SDG – John Hadl – 4 rushes, 23 yards
DEN – Floyd Little – 10 rushes, 42 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Russ Smith – 2 receptions, 30 yards
DEN – Al Denson – 6 receptions, 93 yards, TD
Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week Nine: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Chargers
3
0
0 0 3
Chiefs
0
10
10 7 27
at Municipal Stadium , Kansas City, Missouri
Date : November 2Game time : 3:05 p.m. CST Game weather : 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 6 mphGame attendance : 51,104Referee : Bob FinleyBox score
Game information
First quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 25-yard field goal, 5:11. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 3:12.
Second quarter
KAN – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 7:50. Chiefs 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:13.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 30-yard field goal, 0:02. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 1:58.
Third quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal, 3:33. Chiefs 13–3. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:55.
KAN – Frank Pitts 50-yard pass from Warren McVea (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:32. Chiefs 20–3. Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:27.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Warren McVea 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:08. Chiefs 27–3. Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 1:14.
Top passers
Top rushers
SDG – Russ Smith – 8 rushes, 30 yards
KAN – Mike Garrett – 9 rushes, 46 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Rick Eber – 3 receptions, 66 yards
KAN – Frank Pitts – 4 receptions, 99 yards, TD
Week 10: at Oakland Raiders
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 18-yard field goal, 4:29. Raiders 14–10. Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 5:03.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 31-yard field goal, 13:22. Raiders 14–13. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:25.
SDG – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal, 7:04. Chargers 16–14. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:01.
OAK – Warren Wells 80-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 5:41. Raiders 21–16. Drive: 2 plays, 78 yards, 1:03.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/32, 127 yards
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 15/29, 235 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
SDG – Jeff Queen – 2 receptions, 59 yards
OAK – Warren Wells – 2 receptions, 105 yards, TD
Week 11: vs. Denver Broncos
Week Eleven: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Broncos
7
10
7 0 24
Chargers
14
3
21 7 45
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : November 23Game weather : 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 53%, wind 7 mphGame attendance : 34,664Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DEN – Al Denson 38-yard pass from Steve Tensi (Bobby Howfield kick). Tied 14–14.
SDG – Dennis Partee 33-yard field goal. Chargers 17–14.
DEN – Bobby Howfield 22-yard field goal. Tied 17–17.
Third quarter
SDG – Marty Domres 10-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 24–17.
SDG – Dickie Post 10-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 31–17.
DEN – John Embree 10-yard pass from Steve Tensi (Bobby Howfield kick). Chargers 31–24.
SDG – Marty Domres 8-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 38–24.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Gene Foster 14-yard pass from Marty Domres (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 45–24.
Top passers
DEN – Steve Tensi – 19/26, 301 yards, 3 TD, INT
SDG – Marty Domres – 11/20, 235 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
DEN – Frank Quayle – 5 rushes, 22 yards
SDG – Dickie Post – 17 rushes, 128 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
DEN – Al Denson – 6 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Russ Smith – 2 receptions, 69 yards
Week 12: at Houston Oilers
Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at Houston Oilers – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Chargers
0
7
7 7 21
Oilers
7
10
0 0 17
at Astrodome , Houston, Texas
Date : November 27Game weather : N/A (game played indoors)Game attendance : 40,065Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
SDG – Russ Smith 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Oilers 17–14.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Kenny Graham 11-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 21–17.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/17, 144 yards
HOU – Pete Beathard – 10/14, 91 yards, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Marty Domres – 5 rushes, 34 yards
HOU – Woody Campbell – 12 rushes, 37 yards
Top receivers
Week 13: vs. Boston Patriots
Week Thirteen: Boston Patriots at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Patriots
0
3
0 15 18
Chargers
7
7
14 0 28
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : December 7Game time : 1:00 p.m. PDT Game weather : 58 °F (14.4 °C), relative humidity 50%, wind 7 mphGame attendance : 33,146Referee : Bob FinleyBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
BOS – Gino Cappelletti 34-yard field goal, 6:41. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 23 yards, 3:29.
SDG – Marty Domres 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 0:56. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 14 plays, 79 yards, 5:45.
Third quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 17-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 5:33. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:45.
SDG – Lance Alworth 76-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:30. Chargers 28–3. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 3:02.
Fourth quarter
BOS – Jim Nance 9-yard run (Gino Cappelletti kick), 9:59. Chargers 28–10. Drive: 2 plays, 17 yards, 0:09.
BOS – Jim Nance 3-yard run (Kim Hammond run), 0:38. Chargers 28–18. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 1:39.
Top passers
BOS – Mike Taliaferro – 13/23, 169 yards, 4 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 6/10, 176 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
BOS – Jim Nance – 11 rushes, 58 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Dickie Post – 20 rushes, 71 yards, TD
Top receivers
BOS – Ron Sellers – 3 receptions, 102 yards
SDG – Lance Alworth – 6 receptions, 147 yards, TD
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week Fourteen: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
Total
Bills
0
0
0 6 6
Chargers
10
14
7 14 45
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : December 14Game weather : 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 51%, wind 6 mphGame attendance : 47,582Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SDG – Rick Eber 30-yard pass from Gene Foster (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 17–0.
SDG – Lance Alworth 1-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 24–0.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SDG – Dickie Post 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 38–0.
SDG – Marty Domres 9-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 45–0.
BUF – Willie Grate 19-yard pass from Tom Sherman (kick failed). Chargers 45–6.
Top passers
BUF – Jack Kemp – 16/33, 164 yards, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 16/29, 262 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
BUF – O. J. Simpson – 7 rushes, 27 yards
SDG – Dickie Post – 19 rushes, 106 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
BUF – Marlin Briscoe – 6 receptions, 94 yards
SDG – Lance Alworth – 7 receptions, 122 yards, TD
Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings of the AFL.
References
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Wild card berths (5) Division championships (15) Conference championships (1) League championships (1) Media Current league affiliations Former league affiliation
Early era (1920–1969)
Modern era (1970–present)Italics indicate future seasons