Chargers say goodbye to San Diego
There are fives games listed within this article, but only one of them was played by the Los Angeles Chargers. This last one is a heart breaker, and a bittersweet reminder of what once was.
This one was for San Diego.
Philip Rivers usually last to be introduced. He let Malcom Floyd be last today. M8O's final home game. pic.twitter.com/C65CH6LAg0
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) December 20, 2015
This would ultimately not be their final game in San Diego, but every fan and every player walked into Qualcomm Stadium as if it were. One thing was certain: Malcom Floyd was playing his last game at home, and the team and the crowd aimed to give him the proper sendoff he deserved.
First up, the team: No one cold stop the San Diego Chargers that day. Put 22 men on defense, and Rivers would still have dropped 30 points. Danny Woodhead would go on to score a staggering four touchdowns that night, abusing the Miami Dolphins’ defense as both a runner and receiver. The offense and defense worked together to give the Chargers either nearly or more than double the yards, first downs, time of possession, and points that day. It was a game to remember purely for entertainment alone.
But, the final goodbyes are what make this game stand out. The Chargers presented Floyd and those in attendance with a tribute video that left every fan and player in tears, saying goodbye to one of the best men to represent the franchise. 12 years a player, No. 80 had the time of his life.
The attention then turned to veteran players like Antonio Gates, Rivers, and Floyd as the team took an intentional delay of game penalty to give them one last chance to say goodbye to the city of San Diego. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, young and old; all shedding one last tear as the team they loved for as long as they’ve loved it waved back at the city who supported them. Players, particularly Weddle, spent extra time signing autographs, taking pictures, and shaking hands with every fan who wanted one more second with their favorite franchise.
The Chargers were never better than they were that day.