Fans cheer Chargers By SILVIO J. PANTA, Staff Writer
Saturday, January 3, 2009 10:27 PM PST
TODD KRAININ PHOTO
San Diego Chargers fans at the Brunswick Zone celebrate a touchdown that put their team up by a score of 14-10 over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in the AFC wild card game.
TODD KRAININ PHOTO
San Diego Chargers fans at the Brunswick Zone celebrate a touchdown that put their team up by a score of 14-10 over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in the AFC wild card game.
A virtual sea of blue, white and gold converged at the Brunswick Zone on Saturday as more than a 175 die-hard San Diego Chargers fans wore their jerseys and watched the AFC wild-card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The excitement at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, where the Chargers played hosts to the Colts, was equally present at El Centro’s family entertainment center, where the fans cheered and applauded in front of big-screen TVs.
Pablo Hernandez, activities coordinator of the Imperial Valley Chargers Fan Club, said people came with the anticipation of watching their favorite team win.
But Hernandez said he was surprised that there weren’t more Chargers fans in the venue. Last week, he said, it was practically standing-room only at the Brunswick.
“I was expecting more people,” Hernandez said.
Yet the actual number of people in attendance made no difference to those who came with family and friends to watch the action-packed game.
Calexico resident Alberto Lombardo, who came with his wife, Patricia, groaned in disappointment when the Colts scored seven points during the first quarter of the game.
“Hopefully, we’ll get better,” Lombardo said. “Everybody’s expecting the big plays.”
So was Victor Nava of Imperial, who came to the Brunswick Zone as early as 3 p.m. with his wife, MaryAnn, and his 8-year-old daughter, Kiana, to beat the crowds and find a good table.
Nava’s search for the best accommodations possible was rewarded when he saw Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson score the team’s first touchdown at the beginning of the second quarter.
“They’re doing good now,” Nava said.
But not everyone was a Chargers fan, as Angel Carpio of Brawley could attest.
His team, the St. Louis Rams, did not make it as far as the Chargers did this season but he decided to come out and show his support for the home team.
“It’s a local team,” Carpio said of the Chargers. “I don’t want them to lose.”
" We CHARGER FANS welcome anyone that feels left out in the cold of the playoffs to join our bandwagon.So put your pride aside go throw away that patriot,cowboy,49er,colt even raiders and squeelers jersey take out that Old Chargers jersey that at one time in your life you felt proud of and hop on the band wagon.We won't tell anyone que vieron la LUZ! GO CHARGERS! "
marcusjayshapiro wrote on Jan 8, 2009 11:41 PM:
" http://www.chargertom.com/RaiderHaters.html Might as well pile it on... "
mikey415 wrote on Jan 8, 2009 11:17 PM:
" What do you call a pregnant raider fan? a dope carrier
What do you call a raider fan with lots of girlfrends? a sheperd
What do you call a raider fan in a suit? the accused
11 straight games ! (thats 5.5 seasons faider fan) What happens from now on is just ICING ON THE CAKE!!! GO BOLTZ!!!! "
marcusjayshapiro wrote on Jan 8, 2009 10:28 PM:
" All-Imperial Valley League football 2oo8 short list- Brawley O-Scott Smith, Winston Smart, and Steven Heckman Brawley D- Adrian Rubio, Paul Ingram, and J.C. Cota Palo Verde O- Aaron Quintinilla, Dametrius Johnson, Jeff True Palo Verde D- Clint Ulmer, Robert Spivey, and Randy Hargrove. Central? Calexico? Southwest? Desert League? "
3876 wrote on Jan 8, 2009 11:56 AM:
" I was in San Diego for a whole week for my Raider Super Bowl (yes, we didn't win it,blah blah,blah)It sure was nice being in Chargertown playing the Superbowl.Wore the Silver and BLack all week there and everywhere we went,there were Raider Haters. Tampa Bay fans were fun.I HAVE FELT THE NFL EXPERIENCE!! oHHHHH IT FEELS GOOODDDDD!!!!! "
rayodeseeleynoa wrote on Jan 8, 2009 11:35 AM:
" Hate all you want but face it it hurts cause your team aint in!!! CHARGERS4LIFE "
marcusjayshapiro wrote on Jan 7, 2009 11:28 PM:
" Although there are a lot of Raider fans, alumni from Brawley liked the blue and yellow/gold that UCLA, the Rams, and the Chargers wore...even if they were different types of blue, yellow and gold. Since they were in two different conferences, some valleyites were able to root for both the Rams from the NFC and the Chargers from the AFC. This was before they bailed out of So Cal. It was Norte vs Sur... The Chargers vs the Raiders and the Rams vs the 49ers(which use to be a semi-decent rivalry for at least Rams fans). The majority of Valleyites are Dodger fans due to proximity...I think the Lakers are the number 1 team in the Valley too. The difference between the Lakers/Dodgers vs the Chargers are World Championships. With all of this blah blah blah... Hopefully the Chargers wont spoil the Rivers era like they did with the Fouts era(Fouts may be the best qb to never even play in the Superbowl)...even Stan Humphries went to a Superbowl. "
chalochalo wrote on Jan 7, 2009 10:43 PM:
" PROUD TO SAY that I am a Charger BANDWAGON FAN. I" VE BEEN A BANDWAGON FAN SINCE I WAS A KID, DURING THE DON " AIR" CORYELL /DAN FOUTS ERA. MEMBER? ONCE A BOLT FAN ALWAYS A BOLT FAN. BE PROUD AND SHOW YOUR COLORS. NO MATTER WHAT THE RESULTS ARE!! "
chuleton wrote on Jan 7, 2009 10:11 PM:
" Hey thanks holtville1 for covering my back, yeah it seems moo-boys#1 ain't got the greatest math skills, LOL! Sorry the NFL was built this way but yeah an 8 and 8 team can make the playoffs and by the way we'll make history this week when we beat the Steelers and make it to the AFC championship game!! We'll be the 1st team ever with an 8-8 record to go that far!! And where is your team at? Watching my Bolts on CBS just like you.... GO BOLTS!! "
6996lou wrote on Jan 7, 2009 8:39 PM:
" Amen ray! you hit it right on the spot. some of these sperm cell fans might not ever see there so called new team(s). but they do have better shot at watching them lose at The Q or Dial 1-800-NEW-TEAM. GO CHARGERS!!!!!!! "
rayodeseeleynoa wrote on Jan 7, 2009 5:19 PM:
" A lot of you THAT AREN'T CHARGER FANS just hang on to teams that have won superbowl rings way before you were a sperm cell in your dads nuts.NFL fans what pride can you have in another city when most of you the farthest you've been to is chicali.Pride is to start at the bottom and end on top and cheer for a team that belongs to your region.This goes out to all of you that cheer for a team that you'll never in your pioja life put a foot in another city other than Chicali.Win loose or tie we are chargers till we die!ALL YOU STEELER FANS look yourselves in the mirror and ask your self what connection do I have with the city of pittsburgh?CHARGERS4LIFEEFIL4SREGRAHC !!! "
soccermom wrote on Jan 7, 2009 1:06 PM:
" What I find disheartening is the fact that many individuals who are not Charger fans or football fans for that matter, feel the need to bash those of us who are. Why not simply allow us Charger fans to have our moment of glory? Could this bashing simply be the 'talk' of individuals who are hurting because their respective teams did not make it to the playoffs and it makes them feel better about themselves. I can only hope the smack-talk is is all done in good fun. I know it is in my household where my daughter is a Raider fan, I am a Charger fan and the rest of our family/friend circle consists of Dolphin, Steeler, Niner and Patriot fans, among others.
Having been at the Charger v. Colts game I can tell you there were many Colts/Charger fans tailgating and watching the game together and soaking in the excitement of this playoff game. I could not imagine what the scene would have been like had some of you posters been there.
GO BOLTS! "
Jose Soplar wrote on Jan 7, 2009 8:27 AM:
" Da-Boyz#1...you need some remedial math...go back to high school...if you're not already there...8-8 is .500!!! and .500 is breaking even... .500 is not a losing record...it's not the best...but that's all the NFL saw fit to let each DIVISION winner, of which the Chargers were, into the playoffs and seed them 1, 2, 3, & 4!!! Your GIRLZ couldn't even get a wildcard berth!!! You had a great chance to close out you storied stadium and tanked...then went on the road and let a depressed benched McNabb whip em to knock them out of the playoff picture!!! You want to talk about Cowgirl fan bandwaggoners...where did all these Bonee Romeo jersey's come from!?!?! Pretty boys don't make it dude!!! He is the worst Qb in december and the playoffs!!! He is a bigger choke artist than the Chokeland Raiduhs!!! That, Da-Girlz#1, is a fact!!! But, wait, what's that noise??? Sobbing!!! Oh yeah, he's your quarterback...(whimpering) your quarterback... "
holtville1 wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:02 PM:
" Yep, 8-8. And yet they beat the 12-4 Colts and MVP Peyton Manning.
BTW, for the mathematically-challenged, 8-8 isn't a losing record. 8-9 or 7-8 would be a losing record. "
Da-Boyz#1 wrote on Jan 6, 2009 5:48 PM:
" Hey chuleton why u so mad, dont be calling people out because the truth hurts!!! All these so-called chargers fans coming out of nowhere since the chargers got a chance at the playoffs makes u look bad cause there jumping on or off the bandwagon aint our fault. How much football knowledge u got trying to sound all bad. Its a shame the NFL had to make room for an 8-8 losing record the sorry chargers put up. Second team behind the browns in NFL history to have a losing record and make it to the playoffs!!! Did u know that fact mr football knowledge? "
chuleton wrote on Jan 6, 2009 4:50 PM:
" I dare all you haters to come to the union tribune site and hate all you want, www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers. I welcome you there, just be smart and have football knowledge before you comment and talk about now, the today not the past for all you rai-duh, failas mooboys and steel-ugg fans!! GO BOLTS!! "
3876 wrote on Jan 6, 2009 11:51 AM:
" OK Joe Blow (Soplar)i liked your blog until you started blasting the other teams. this is the first year i haven't heard a Charger fan say,"This is our year!!!" and actually, it might be! ha ha,what a joke. "
Jose Soplar wrote on Jan 6, 2009 11:06 AM:
" I truly believed if the Chargers had won against the Bengals the 49ners that year would not have stood a chance against the high powered offense the Chargers had that year!!! I am so happy now that I didn't turn to the dark side and become a Raiduh fan!!! How boring could that be!?!? I am glad I didn't become a Steeler or Cowboy fan either!!! I use to see the Sears and JC Penney catalog and and the two teams that always were featured were the Stellars and the Cowgirls!!! Just because they were in the big game every year...even as a kid I thought it was too easy to be a fan of those teams...So I kept it as local as I could and rooted for the Chargers and the Padres...things could have been worse...I could be a Dodger fan too!!! Which is only a Raiduh fan in royal blue!!! What I like most about being a San Diego fan is that I can go see my teams. These other fans have to beg borrow and steal just to see their so-called team for life...how convenient is that? Does that make someone more of a hard core fan? "
Jose Soplar wrote on Jan 6, 2009 10:51 AM:
" Marcusjayshapiro...I commend you on the manner in which you have simply put bandwagonners and time zone fans in their perspective places. Back when I didn't know anything about football I use to watch the NFL on Sundays with my Uncle and Grandpa. I remember watching the Dolphins power running of Larry Csonka, the bombs the Raiders would throw, and the yardage the Chargers Fouts would amass and the acrobatic catches of Wes Chandler. I didn't have a team then, but I enjoyed listening to my Uncle explain football to me. I do remember the moment I became a Charger fan, it was when we were in El Cajon at Parkway Plaza and the Dolphins and Chargers were playing in what was later named the The Greatest NFL Playoff Game Ever! I watched the 4th Qtr and Sudden Death in a shoe store on a 19" TV with about 50 other people huddled around. When the Chargers won the whole Mall exploded!!! Of course everyone knows what happened next, the Chargers traveled to Cincinnati to face the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship game in the coldest game in NFL history based on the wind chill. "
lioneliz wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:21 AM:
" Well whadda you know.....the Bolts 'can play football'! American football: entertainment of the masses. "
3876 wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:08 AM:
" 6996lou:But i don't preach about being a great Charger fan. I changed because i wanted to. if i say that i still like the Chargers i will be critizied anyway.MY LIFE IS NOT ABOUT THE CHARGERS, RAIDERS ETC... i have a life 6996lou. Just don't talk like if you are such a fan.You probably won't be one after Sunday (if the Chargers lose) ha ha "
cowboys4life wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:29 PM:
" My final words for this week of course:If the chargers are to fall to the steelers on sunday, I issue a challenge for those that call themselves die hard chargers fans sport your charger jerseys, put your flags on your cars or trucks to show hey we may have lost but I still love my team. Really dont think that will happen though I see every chargers fan putting all there fan gear back in the closet and wait yet again for the perfect time for the new season to come out and cheer for their team. Still laughing at like HAHAHAHAHA!!! "
ARMLESSALICE wrote on Jan 5, 2009 7:45 PM:
" I can't believe all of these people get all worked up over football, it's a stupid sport.
Bunch of neanderthals! "
6996lou wrote on Jan 5, 2009 3:31 PM:
" Hey 3876! At least I dont change teams every 10 to 12 years. and prior to that every 4 years. I know u too. EX CHARGER AND EX NINER!!! "
3876 wrote on Jan 5, 2009 1:52 PM:
" hey, 6996lou, you are Charger fan when they win only!!! I know you. I have seen you when you have bet against them too(at the Caliente) Shame on you! "
6996lou wrote on Jan 5, 2009 11:19 AM:
" I've been a charger fan since I was ten years old and now I'm 43. Still haven't seen a superbowl trophy but I ramain a charger fan for life. YOU SEE, when I was kid, I didn't have to look far to the east coast and try to pick a winner from previous superbowls and then call them my team. But if your from that region of the country then thats cool, you earned that right. Now all of a sudden I see alot of patriot fans and I know they are not from Boston. Be a Fan from the HEART not from the MIND. "
soccermom wrote on Jan 4, 2009 10:13 PM:
" Way to go BOLTS! I was lucky enough to be at the game. I was surprised the Colts offense could hear Manning over the cheers of Charger fans.
Regarding other team fans wearing their jersey to watch another team play: this just goes to show their love & support of the great sport that is football.
Good luck on Sunday Chargers! "
marcusjayshapiro wrote on Jan 4, 2009 9:24 PM:
" Its kind of foggy here in SD...I can only see 44-6 in my rearview mirror. Both the Chargers and Cowboys were to meet up in Tampa...Only one team had the heart to recover from losing its best player in Merriman to atleast make it into the playoffs. As a Charger fan we get use to hearing about Superbowl rings from Raider and Bronco fans...so it doesn't really affect us. I think it takes a true fan to stick with his local team, than a fan who followed a Superbowl champ from two to three time zones away. If the Steelers or Cowboys wouldn't have won the Superbowl when you were a youngster, most likely you wouldn't have become a fan. Its like someone from El Centro being an Oceanside Pirate or De La Salle Spartan fan. At least the Raiders and 49ers are in the same time zone. Now if you use to live in Texas or Pennsylvania and you've relocated then that makes a lot of sense. Just wondering how a Californian who roots for a multi-superbowl winning team across the country can call fans from the team up the street a bandwagon fan. - "
cowboys4life wrote on Jan 4, 2009 8:57 PM:
" OH NO I SEE BLUE PEOPLE ALL DAY MONDAY. I mean with the chargers winning on Saturday more people I'm sure are gonna shout go chargers. Still wont belive me then your fans are jumping on the bandwagon isnt it full yet HA HA HA!!! I believe the way the game goes is that I still hold bragging rights u remember 2005 season COWBOYS beat chargers OH OH OH!!!! still laughing at ya'll like SHAWTY LO HA HA HA HA! "
creaturefromtheblacklagoon wrote on Jan 4, 2009 8:53 PM:
" FOOTBALL S^CKS AND SO DO THE CHARGERS! "
cowboys4life wrote on Jan 4, 2009 8:36 PM:
" I see there are some upset bloggers. Does the truth hurt? At the end of the day it looks the steel curtain will be coming down on u bandwagon losers so yeah after next week your team will be watching just like my team will be so take your shots I can take them I know what losing seasons are like I've had my share of them. But they are, count it or not 5xxxxxx SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS your team zero not even on my level. Despite the success your team has had still cant put together a championship team "SAN DIEGO SUPER LOSERS" Laughing at you dudes like HA HA HA!!!! "
marcusjayshapiro wrote on Jan 4, 2009 8:06 PM:
" A lot of valley people were kids when the Steelers and Cowboys were winning Superbowls. The Chargers weren't winning at the time, and still haven't won the big game. Now there are those who root for the teams that are in their region regardless of the team being a Superbowl champ. True fans are the ones who sit through 1-15, 4-12, and 5-11 seasons. With the Chargers being on local radio and tv you are going to have a lot of Charger fans in the IV.
Did the new Charger bandwagon fans hop on for Rivers like you wrote, or for LT? I think the latest bandwagon got started with LT, Brees, Gates, and Marty. The Chargers are the local team regardless. This bandwagon cant be as bad as the Cowboy Romo lovers can it? "
mjm838 wrote on Jan 4, 2009 7:55 PM:
" Da-Boyz#1 - you're 100% correct, San Diego has without a doubt the WORST fan base! Its not so much that I hate the Chargers, but I absolutely HATE their "fans". I'm not saying that EVERYONE has jumped on the bandwagon, but there are a TON who have jumped on since p. rivs came on board. GOOOO PITTSBURGH!!! "
marcusjayshapiro wrote on Jan 4, 2009 6:56 PM:
" Chargers on Thanksgiving Day would be sweet. It won't be in the powder blues though...they save the two a season for home games. The Chargers have one three playoff games the past two years...I don't think the 5-time SuperBowl Champion Cowboys have one a playoff game this decade. It's all about the now...not the before.
As a Cowboy fan you know that there are bandwagoners for every team. Romo jerseys? TO jerseys? Barber jerseys? WOW! Just like Charger fans wearing Cromartie jerseys. Cromarite does have the Charger season record for interceptions and the NFL record for the longest play in NFL history...still not worth selling jersies for. Rivers is 3-1 as a starter in the NFL Playoffs and Romo is 0-2. Just food for thought. "
chuleton wrote on Jan 4, 2009 6:37 PM:
" Da-Boyz#1=HATER!! By the way at 4-8, I was here, man when we went 1-15 I was here, rooting for my BOLTS! We are keeping our side of the bargain by beeing in the playoffs where is your team? Watching us play!! That's right buddy, yeah we'll see you next year on turkey night and yes, we will spoil your turkey dinner!! You guys better book the raiders if you guys want to win...LOL!!, see you next year! GO BOLTS!! "
Da-Boyz#1 wrote on Jan 4, 2009 3:26 PM:
" W.O.WWWWW for another week I'll have to see the Imperial Valley bandwagon charger fans, I've never seen so many so-called chargers fans come out of the closet. Where were u guys when your team was 4 and 8 didnt see any of ya'll sporting your jerseys or flying your flags. It's a shame but I'm a die hard COWBOYS FAN!!SO GETCHA POPCORN READY cuz my team gets a shot at the powder blue chargers in the 2009 season see ya in BIG D BABY!!!!! "
itsme wrote on Jan 4, 2009 2:13 PM:
" Why all mex girls looking @ me.Those fine as brown skin girls need a white boy with $$$$ THERE IN COSCO 2 "
metallicafan87 wrote on Jan 4, 2009 1:45 PM:
" I hate the NFL. Look at Guero on the newspaper hahaha. "
lnsamuel wrote on Jan 4, 2009 8:11 AM:
" You go Sylvia. Check out TITO, GUERRO and Andy just kickin it AY "
lnsamuel wrote on Jan 4, 2009 8:02 AM:
" CHECK OUT SYLVIA GO YOU GO GIRL. GUERRO,TITO,and ANDY JUST KICKIN IT "
rayodeseeleynoa wrote on Jan 4, 2009 7:26 AM:
" Angel Carpio are trying to jump on the CHARGER BANDWAGON? Why in the world do yo show up to CHARGERNATION wearing a st.louie lamb jersey??? "
marcusjayshapiro wrote on Jan 4, 2009 12:38 AM:
" Chargers win for the second year in a row over the Colts. "
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rayodeseeleynoa wrote on Jan 9, 2009 11:44 AM: