Opinion: Charger fans caught in the crossfire
As rumors regarding the future home of the Chargers plague fans, die-hard supporters still made it out to Qualcomm Stadium in one last desperate measure to persuade (or insult) ownership. With under a minute to play in the fourth quarter, San Diego Chargers’ running back Ronnie Hillman scampered up the middle for 17 yards. Instead of fighting until the last second, the Chargers decided to call another play for Hillman—a run for a gain of two yards to insure the clock hit zero.
A lackluster and disappointing ending to the 2016-17 season, but what else should’ve been expected from this group? You can’t blame the Chargers for wanting to end this abysmal season as soon as possible, but its disconcerting to see a team throw in the towel with time on the clock.
This season was nothing more than an exercise in futility. After seeing the Carson project fall through, the Chargers scrambled to put a long-term plan in San Diego together. Measure C, however, was half-hearted and doomed before it even hit the ballot.
Despite the turmoil, fans continued to stay involved with the team. There’s no doubt both city officials and the Chargers organization failed San Diego fans. Political agendas and poor leadership has resulted in this embarrassing predicament. The frustrating part is the fans will be the ones left scathed no matter the outcome.
If the Chargers leave, Spanos will still be a billionaire with a team in the second largest market. I know many of us found the pictures of the sparse crowds attending Los Angeles Rams games cathartic, but if the Chargers have a winning record, there’s little doubt people won’t show up for games. If the Los Angeles Clippers can go from the butt of a joke to a hot ticket in L.A., the Chargers will surely find a crowd. Winning gets everyone’s attention, and it’s unrealistic to believe the Chargers won’t pull together some strong seasons. Granted, the team will have failures along the way. There’s no doubt Los Angeles will find better ways to spend its time when they do, but how is that much different than San Diego? If opposing teams like the Raiders turn out to games at the Coliseum that still means tickets are being purchased. Not an ideal situation but not anything new either.
The politicians, too, will still be in office if the Chargers pack their bags. With majority of the city rejecting Measure C, the backlash may not be significant enough to strike major change. The fans, however, will see their team play for a rival city and left searching for answers.
If by all odds the team stays in San Diego, where it belongs, fans must come to terms that they’ll be supporting an owner who essentially tried to bully them with threats of abandonment. The Chargers effectively alienated its fan base when committing infidelity by conspiring with the rival Oakland Raiders in an attempt to elope in Carson. Maybe that’s dramatic to say, but what Charger fan did not feel the cold steel slice into their backs after news broke of the engagement? The organization has even split its own fan base by creating conflict between fans who will support the team in L.A. and the ones that won’t.
It’s cruel and unfair that fans are left hanging in the balance. Charger fans have not had much to root for in the history of the franchise. They’re the only team in the AFC West to have never won a Super Bowl, and unfortunately, have seen more losses than wins.
After the 37-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, many Charger fans got what they wanted when the team announced the termination of Head Coach Mike McCoy. I couldn’t help, however, feel apathetic to the news. It was virtually meaningless by the time the game ended. The Chargers’ statement regarding the dismissal was also hollow as the future of the team still hangs in the balance. It would be naive to believe that ownership hasn’t made up its mind on whether to move or not at this point. Nevertheless, San Diego will be kept in a state of uncertainty a little longer, and like the conclusion to Sunday’s game, it’s hard to imagine the result will be any more exciting.
