1961 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS-1ST GAME in S.D. -AFL Program AUTOGRAPHED by 30 Chargers

Description:
Rare and important early AFL Program for the Chargers first year and first game in San Diego, an exhibition game played at Balboa Stadium in San Diego on Aug. 6, 1961 between the Western Division Champion Chargers and the AFL Champion Houston Oilers.

The Chargers moved to San Diego after one year playing as the Los Angeles Chargers in the first season of the American Football League. The Chargers did not draw very well in L.A. The team had difficulty competing with the Rams, since most of the established stars at that time were in the NFL. Only 11,457 attended the 1960 season finale there, prompting the move to San Diego.

This game was scheduled as a rematch of the previous years AFL title game, and was also a preview of the 1961 AFL championship, both won by Houston.

Cover art by award winning sports cartoonist Karl Hubenthal of the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner.

The program is autographed by 30 members of the San Diego Chargers. The signatures include 14 starters (underlined) and also 9 players who joined the team the following season, in 1962:

First inside page scan - Page 13: rookie Fullback Keith Lincoln, (2 x All-Pro, 6 time Pro Bowl), rookie LB Frank Buncom (deceased 1969 at age 29), FB Hezekiah Braxton (d.2013), CB Dick Harris (All-Pro cornerback 1961 with 7 INT, 3 TD), FL Dave Kocourek (4x Pro Bowl incl. 1961), T Sherman Plunkett (2x Pro Bowl, played with 1958-59 NFL Champ Colts, and NY Jets 1963-67 d. 1989), DB Bud Whitehead, rookie DE Earl Faison, (4 time All-Pro, 5 x Pro Bowl incl 1961), DT Bill Hudson (1961 Pro Bowl).

Second inside page scan - page 15: T Ron Mix (9 time All-Pro HOF), G Pat Shea (joined team in 1962), HB Paul Lowe (2x All-Pro 2 x Pro Bowl), QB John Hadl (joined team in 1962, replaced J.Kemp), T Richard Hudson (joined team in 1962, later Pro Bowl with Bills), LB Bob Metinger (joined team in 1962, d. 2004), rookie DT Ernie Ladd (inscribed #77, three time All-Pro, 5 x Pro Bowl incl. 1961 d. 2007), WR/KR Jerry Robinson (joined team in 1962), LB/P Paul Maguire (2 x Pro Bowl later played with Champion Buffalo Bills 1964-65, played in 6 of 10 AFL Title games, well known later as long time announcer), T Hank Schmidt, TE Reg Carolan, (joined team in 1962, d. 1983 at age 43), QB Val Keckin (joined team in 1962, played just 6 AFL games), FB Bob Jackson (joined team in 1962), C Sam Gruneison, (joined team in 1962), C Don Rogers, T Ernie Wright (three time Pro Bowl incl. 1961, d. 2007), TE Jacque McKinnon (2 x Pro Bowl d. 1975 at age 36), E Don Norton (2 x Pro Bowl, d. 1997), DE Ron Nery (inscribed #80 All-Pro 1961, d. 2002), rookie K George Blair (Pro Bowl 1961), and lineman Fred Gillett (joined team in 1962).

The signatures are in excellent condition, match all known exemplars, and were obtained by the original owner/collector in 1961/1962.

38 pages complete with rosters and lineup sheets.

An important souvenir of the Chargers first season in San Diego, their very first game, a pre-season game, a program signed by 30 members of the San Diego Chargers including 14 starters from the 1961 Western Division Champions, plus nine players who joined the following season (though some were likely in Charger\'s camp in 1961).

Includes 12 players who were either All-Pro or played in the Pro Bowl and one Hall of Famer. Some of the greatest names in Charger AFL History (Mix, Lowe, Ladd, Faison, Lincoln, Kocourek, Hadl, Wright, Norton, Maguire, etc.), plus some scarce and difficult to find football autographs of long deceased players (Plunkett, Buncom, Carolan, McKinnon, etc.).

A significant game program that includes a fascinating array of signatures. A unique and impossible to replicate San Diego Chargers autographed AFL program from their first game in their first season in San Diego, 1961.

39 pages. Complete. Excellent condition, very clean with some of the expected minor corner/edge handling wear.

See my listings for other AFL Programs.

Shipping:
Buyer pays just $6.00 shipping. Shipped with Tracking Information. Foreign shipping is $15.00. Shipped in rigid sleeve for protection. I combine shipping charges on SAME DAY multiple purchases.

Payment:
Pay with PayPal. Virginia residents add 5.3% sales tax. Send To: Jeff Eastland. WINNING buyers: PLEASE respond to invoice. --PAYMENT is DUE WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS of END OF sale-- Thanks for looking!

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