LA Chargers countdown to 2020: Best number 62 in team history

We are 62 days away until the LA Chargers are scheduled to be back in action.

Counting today, there are officially 62 days until the LA Chargers‘ scheduled Week 1 matchup against first overall pick Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. That is, as long as the 2020 NFL season goes as planned, which certainly is not a guarantee.

To count down the potential 2020 season, we have been naming the best players in Chargers’ history to wear each number that coincides with the number of days remaining until that Week 1 matchup.

Ironically, the only current Charger that has been named is not even a great one. Sam Tevi is the greatest number 69 in team history and he probably won’t even be starting for the team in 2020 unless Bryan Bulaga or Trey Pipkins get hurt.

Tevi will remain as the only current Charger thus far to earn the honor as the current number 62, as listed on the LA Chargers roster, is Josh Dunlop, an undrafted free agent that was signed this offseason.

The number 62 was worn by a long-time starting interior lineman who was always good but never took the next step to be considered great.

The best number 62 in LA Chargers history: Don Macek

Don Macek was drafted by the Chargers in the second round of the 1976 NFL Draft and spent his entire career with the Bolts. He played until he was 35, up until the 1989 season.

Macek does not have any season accolades to his name. Although he was a starter right away for the Chargers and held onto that role for most of his career when he was healthy, Macek never really took that extra step to become a truly great offensive lineman.

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Don’t get it mistaken: he absolutely was a solid offensive lineman and was a huge asset in blocking in front of Dan Fouts. There absolutely cannot be any complaints about Macek’s level of play, although he did have a tendency to miss games.

He actually was a Pro Bowl alternate multiple times throughout his long career but never got the chance to actually appear in the game.

Macek is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame and he is one of the best offensive linemen in team history. His 99 career Approximate Value not only trumps every other player to wear the number 62 but also ranks fifth all-time among Chargers offensive linemen.