1994 San Diego Chargers season

The 1994 San Diego Chargers season was the team's 35th, its 25th in the National Football League (NFL), and its 34th in San Diego.

1994 San Diego Chargers season
OwnerAlex Spanos
Head coachBobby Ross
General managerBobby Beathard
Home fieldJack Murphy Stadium
Results
Record11–5
Division place1st AFC West
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs
(Dolphins) 22–21
Won Conference Championship
(Steelers) 17–13
Lost Super Bowl XXIX (49ers) 26–49
Pro BowlersK John Carney RB Natrone Means LB Junior Seau DE Leslie O'Neal

The 1994 season began with the team trying to improve on their 8–8 record in 1993. The offense had undergone a major overhaul, with the club leaders in rushing and receiving yards (Marion Butts and Anthony Miller) both having been traded during the offseason. 2nd year running back Natrone Means took over the lead rusher role, setting a club record with 1,350 yards during the regular season. At wide receiver, the trio of Tony Martin, Shawn Jefferson and Mark Seay combined for over 2,000 yards. On defence, Junior Seau and Leslie O'Neal were again the club leaders in tackles and sacks respectively; Stanley Richard ran two of his four interceptions back for touchdowns. Future All-Pro safety Rodney Harrison joined the team as a 5th round draft pick, but primarily played on special teams, where the Chargers had four touchdowns on kick returns and John Carney led the league in scoring.

San Diego won their first six games en route to an 11–5 record, and were crowned AFC West Champions. After a 17–13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game, they would advance to Super Bowl XXIX, only to lose to the San Francisco 49ers 49–26 at Joe Robbie Stadium. To date, this is the Chargers' most recent, and only, Super Bowl appearance.

Offseason

NFL Draft

1994 San Diego Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
2 43 Isaac Davis  Guard Arkansas
2 63 Vaughn Parker  Offensive tackle UCLA
3 70 Andre Coleman  Wide receiver Kansas State
3 82 Willie Clark  Cornerback Notre Dame
5 137 Aaron Laing  Tight end New Mexico State
5 145 Rodney Harrison *  Safety Western Illinois
5 150 Darren Krein  Defensive end Miami (FL)
5 160 Tony Vinson  Running back Towson
7 207 Zane Beehn  Linebacker Kentucky
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[1]

Undrafted free agents

1994 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
David Binn Long snapper California
Jeff Brohm Quarterback Louisville
Greg Engel Center Illinois
Mike Hollis Kicker Idaho

Personnel

Staff

1994 San Diego Chargers staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – John Dunn
  • Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Chip Morton

Roster

1994 San Diego Chargers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
, 5 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance Location Record TV Time(PT) Announcing Team
1 September 4, 1994 at Denver Broncos W 37–34
74,032
Mile High Stadium 1–0 TNT 5:00pm Gary Bender & Pat Haden
2 September 11, 1994 Cincinnati Bengals W 27–10
53,217
Jack Murphy Stadium 2–0 NBC 1:00pm Dan Hicks & Bob Golic
3 September 18, 1994 at Seattle Seahawks W 24–10
65,536
Husky Stadium 3–0 NBC 1:00pm Jim Lampley & Todd Christensen
4 September 25, 1994 at Los Angeles Raiders W 26–24
55,385
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 4–0 NBC 1:00pm Dick Enberg & Bob Trumpy
5 Bye
6 October 9, 1994 Kansas City Chiefs W 20–6
62,923
Jack Murphy Stadium 5–0 NBC 1:00pm Charlie Jones & Randy Cross
7 October 16, 1994 at New Orleans Saints W 36–22
50,565
Louisiana Superdome 6–0 NBC 1:00pm Marv Albert & Paul Maguire
8 October 23, 1994 Denver Broncos L 15–20
61,626
Jack Murphy Stadium 6–1 NBC 1:00pm Charlie Jones & Randy Cross
9 October 30, 1994 Seattle Seahawks W 35–15
59,001
Jack Murphy Stadium 7–1 NBC 1:00pm Tom Hammond & Cris Collinsworth
10 November 6, 1994 at Atlanta Falcons L 9–10
59,217
Georgia Dome 7–2 NBC 10:00am Marv Albert & Paul Maguire
11 November 13, 1994 at Kansas City Chiefs W 14–13
76,997
Arrowhead Stadium 8–2 NBC 10:00am Dick Enberg & Bob Trumpy
12 November 20, 1994 at New England Patriots L 17–23
59,690
Foxboro Stadium 8–3 NBC 10:00am Don Criqui & Beasley Reece
13 November 27, 1994 Los Angeles Rams W 31–17
59,579
Jack Murphy Stadium 9–3 FOX 1:00pm Dick Stockton & Matt Millen
14 December 5, 1994 Los Angeles Raiders L 17–24
63,012
Jack Murphy Stadium 9–4 ABC 6:00pm Al Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf
15 December 11, 1994 San Francisco 49ers L 15–38
62,105
Jack Murphy Stadium 9–5 FOX 1:00pm Pat Summerall & John Madden
16 December 18, 1994 at New York Jets W 21–6
48,213
Giants Stadium 10–5 NBC 10:00am Tom Hammond & Cris Collinsworth
17 December 24, 1994 Pittsburgh Steelers W 37–34
58,379
Jack Murphy Stadium 11–5 NBC 1:00pm Jim Lampley & Todd Christensen

Week 1

Week One: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 6 21 3737
Broncos 17 7 3734

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

The Chargers recovered from an early eighteen point deficit to win their opener, aided by key defensive plays at the end of each half. Down 17-0 and 24-6, the Chargers rallied to lead 27-24, thanks to three Stan Humphries touchdown passes and a 99 yard interception return by Stanley Richard as time expired in the 1st half. Later, San Diego drove 89 yards in 19 plays, converting five 3rd downs and taking 10 minutes off the clock, capping the drive with a 1 yard Natrone Means touchdown run; this put them ahead 37-34, with 3:01 remaining. John Elway responded by leading the Broncos from their own 25 yard line to the Chargers' 3, but on 2nd and goal, Elway fumbled as he attempted to throw, and Junior Seau recovered with 35 seconds left to clinch the win.

Week 2

Week Two: Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bengals 3 0 0710
Chargers 3 10 7727

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 69 °F (20.6 °C), relative humidity 79%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 53,217
  • Referee: Howard Roe
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bob Golic
  • Box score

San Diego started 2-0 for the first time in 13 years, courtesy of a straightforward win over the Bengals. Mark Seay caught 8 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while Natrone Means rushed 21 times for 107 yards and one score. The scoreline was identical to the teams' previous meeting.

Week 3

Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 10 14024
Seahawks 0 3 0710

at Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 68%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 65,536
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jim Lampley and Todd Christensen
  • Box score

A pair of big plays helped the Chargers run their record to 3-0. Early in the 2nd quarter, the Seahawks reached 1st and Goal at the Chargers' one yard line, but had to settle for a field goal. The Chargers responded with a John Carney field goal and Natrone Means' 1 yard touchdown run, and led 10-3 at the half. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Seattle were threatening with a 1st and 10 at the San Diego 28, but Stanley Richard picked off a Rick Mirer pass and went 73 yards for his second touchdown of the season. Later, Humphries was sacked in his own one yard line by Brent Williams, bringing up a 3rd and 19. Humphries then hit Tony Martin in stride at the 35 yard line, and he outran the Seahawks' defence for a 99 yard touchdown, the seventh such pass in NFL history.

Week 4

Week Four: San Diego Chargers at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 10 10 3326
Raiders 0 3 14724

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 69 °F (20.6 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 55,385
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Bob Trumpy
  • Box score

John Carney's 33-yard field goal with two seconds remaining preserved San Diego's unbeaten record, after they had let a twenty point lead slip in the 2nd half. Darrien Gordon's 90-yard punt return only three minutes into the game gave the Chargers a lead they built on with three Carney field goals and a 1-yard TD run by Natrone Means. Down 23-3 midway through the 3rd quarter, the Raiders began their comeback when Jeff Hostetler scrambled for a touchdown on 4th and goal, and completed it when Lionel Washington ran a deflected Humphries pass back 31 yards for another score. Humphries, who had injured his knee on the play, stayed in the game and led a 14 play, 65 yard drive to set up Carney's winning kick, the key play being an 8-yard completion to Ronnie Harmon on 4th and 1.

A loss by the New York Giants during San Diego's bye week left them as the last unbeaten team in the league for the first time as an NFL club.

Week 6

Week Six: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 3 036
Chargers 3 10 0720

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 78 °F (25.6 °C), relative humidity 42%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 62,923
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Randy Cross
  • Box score

A dominant performance by Natrone Means helped the Chargers reach 5-0 for the first time in 31 years. Means rushed for 125 yards on 19 carries, and played a major role in the only two touchdown drives of the game. Firstly, with San Diego up 6-3, he had runs of 9, 8, 6, 6 and 9 yards on five consecutive plays, the last of these a touchdown. In the 4th quarter, further rushes on 9, 25 and 23 yards helped set up a 5 yard touchdown pass from Stan Humphries to Mark Seay, making the score 20-6. The Chiefs gained 361 yards, but could muster only a pair of field goals from six trips into San Diego territory.

The Chargers debuted their powder blue throwback uniforms in this game.

Week 7

Week Seven: San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 14 13 6336
Saints 0 7 7822

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Means again excelled, rushing for three touchdowns, and accounting for 120 of the Chargers' 198 rushing yards. San Diego led 24-0 early in the 2nd quarter, and John Carney's five field goals helped them stave off a Saints comeback thereafter.

Week 8

Week Eight: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 7620
Chargers 6 6 0315

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18.3 °C), relative humidity 80%, wind 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 61,626
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones & Randy Cross
  • Box score

The Broncos, 1-5 heading into the game, handed the Chargers their first loss of the season. San Diego forced two turnovers in Broncos' territory in the first half, but struggled to capitalise on their openings and led only 12-7 at the break. A 43-yard touchdown pass from John Elway to Shannon Sharpe gave Denver their first lead, and Jason Elam's 54-yard field goal put them ahead to stay with 10:02 to play. San Diego drove into Denver territory in the final minute, but Humphries was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury, and backup Gale Gilbert threw four consecutive incompletions from the Denver 31.

Natrone Means ran for 100 yards in a losing cause, while John Carney made five field goals from as many attempts for the second game in a row.

Week 9

Week Nine: Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 7 0815
Chargers 0 14 71435

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

Stanley Richard forced two key turnovers either side of halftime, and the Chargers overcame an uncertain start, and the loss of Stan Humphries, to win comfortably. Seattle led 7-6 before Richard forced two fumbles from running back Chris Warren either side of halftime, both recovered by the Chargers, leading to touchdown runs from Ronnie Harmon and Natrone Means. Humphries had to leave the game with a dislocated left elbow in the 3rd quarter, but Gale Gilbert was solid in relief, completing 11 of 14 passes, for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns, caught by Tony Martin and Alfred Pupunu. Means had 104 yards on 26 carries.

Week 10

Week Ten: San Diego Chargers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 3 339
Falcons 7 0 3010

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Game attendance: 59,217
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert & Paul Maguire
  • Box score

A missed 47-yard field goal by John Carney with seven minutes to play cost the Chargers, as they were kept out of the end zone for the second time in three games. Gale Gilbert committed no turnovers, but had only one completion over 20 yards, and couldn't lead San Diego past midfield after Carney's miss. Natrone Means rushed for 102 yards, his fifth consecutive 100 yard game; this set a new club record, eventually broken by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.

Week 11

Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 7714
Chiefs 0 13 0013

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13.3 °C), relative humidity 76%, wind 18 mph
  • Game attendance: 76,997
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg & Bob Trumpy
  • Box score

The Chargers overcame four first half turnovers to earn a crucial divisional game. Kansas City entered the game a game back in the AFC West, and would have gone top on divisional record with a win.

Andre Coleman fumbled the opening kickoff, and though Stanley Richard soon picked off Joe Montana to offset the error, further fumbles by Means and Humphries followed, as well as a Humphries interception. In total, the Chiefs started five of their first nine drives in San Diego territory, but only led 13-0 at halftime. The game turned late in the third quarter, when Ron Dickerson was penalised for running into the kicker on a San Diego punt. Humphries hit Shaun Jefferson for a 52-yard touchdown on the next play. Midway through the 4th quarter, Darren Carrington intercepted Montana and returned the ball to the Chiefs' eight yard line. Humphries found a wide open Duane Young for the go-ahead score three plays later.

The Chargers forced a punt on the Chiefs' next possession, but had to punt themselves after Means was stopped two yards short of a first down at the two minute warning. Montana then converted two 4th downs, before finding Danan Hughes at the San Diego 31 with the clock running. Montana then spiked the ball an instant after the clock had expired, and the Chiefs had no opportunity to kick a game-winning field goal.

Week 12

Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 10717
Patriots 7 3 31023

at Foxboro, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 47 °F (8.3 °C), relative humidity 46%, wind 13 mph
  • Game attendance: 59,690
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece
  • Box score

Former Charger Marion Butts rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown to lead the 4-6 Patriots to an upset win over the 8-2 Chargers. San Diego generated few threats on offense throughout the game, but only trailed 10-3 late in the 3rd quarter following Andre Coleman's 80 yard kickoff return touchdown. New England responded with a 12-play, 64-yard drive capped by Butts' 1 yard TD run. A 2-yard touchdown pass from Humphries to Martin came too late to affect the outcome.

Week 13

Week Thirteen: Los Angeles Rams at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 0 14 0317
Chargers 0 6 151031

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

Four interceptions of Rams' quarterback Chris Miller helped the Chargers overcome a faltering offensive performance and dodge an upset defeat. Miller threw for two touchdowns in the 2nd quarter, to which the Chargers could only respond with a pair of field goals - they trailed 14-6 at the break. However, the Rams were forced to punt on their first possession of the second half, and Darrien Gordon returned the kick 75 yards up the left sideline for his second touchdown of the season. Ronnie Harmon then tied the scores with a two point conversion run, before catching a go-ahead touchdown pass from Humphries. The Rams responded by reaching a 3rd and 1 on the San Diego 7 yard line, but Gordon intercepted Miller in the endzone to preserve the lead.

Following an exchange of field goals, the Rams made a final bid to tie the scores, but Sean Vanhorse intercepted Miller's 4th down pass and returned it 50 yards for the clinching touchdown.

Week 14

Week Fourteen: Los Angeles Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 7 01024
Chargers 7 7 0317

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

A loss by Kansas City earlier in the week left the Chargers one win from clinching the AFC West, but the Raiders, denied them on Monday Night Football. Unusually, four different quarterbacks threw touchdown to four different receivers in the first half alone, with Jeff Hostetler and Stan Humphries both picking up injuries and giving way to Vince Evans and Gale Gilbert respectively. Both returned in the 3rd quarter, which saw the Chargers drive inside the Los Angeles 20-yard line. Means then badly missed an open receiver on an HB option pass, before fumbling a few plays later. Following an exchange of field goals, Hostetler hit Rocket Ismail for the game-winner with seven minutes left; San Diego failed to cross the LA 40 after that.

Week 15

Week Fifteen: San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 7 14 31438
Chargers 0 3 6615

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12.2 °C), relative humidity 62%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 62,105
  • TV announcers (FOX): Pat Summerall and John Madden
  • Box score

The Chargers missed their second chance to win their division, easily defeated by a 49ers team winning their ninth in a row. San Diego managed to cross the San Francisco 30 on their first possession, but Humphries was sacked attempting to convert a 4th and 8. Steve Young then led his team to three touchdowns in four possessions, and a 21-0 lead. In the second half, Natrone Means scored his first touchdown for six weeks, and Humphries found Tony Martin for another score, but the 49ers struck the final blow when Deion Sanders returned an interception for a 90-yard touchdown.

Humphries passed for a season-high 337 yards, while Martin caught nine passes for a career-high 172 yards. The 23-point margin of defeat would be repeated seven weeks later in Super Bowl XXIX.

Week 16

Week Sixteen: San Diego Chargers at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 7 7721
Jets 3 3 006

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 44 °F (6.7 °C), relative humidity 80%, wind 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 48,213
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond & Cris Collinsworth
  • Box score

San Diego overcame a slow start to wrap up their division at the third time of asking. A pair of Nick Lowery field goals has the Jets up 6-0 approaching halftime, but a two-yard strike from Humphries to Mark Seay put the Chargers ahead to stay. A 44-yard Humphries-to-Martin connection extended the lead to eight points, then, after the defence stopped New York on downs, the same pair hooked up again for 60 yards and the clinching touchdown. Humphries completed 19 of 26 passes for 280 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions - this game him a passer rating of 146.3, a career-high.

Week 17

Week Seventeen: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 13 61534
Chargers 3 14 71337

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 84%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 58,379
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jim Lampley & Todd Christensen
  • Box score

San Diego earned a 1st round playoff bye on John Carney's 32 yard field goal 3 seconds from time. In a back-and-forth encounter, Andre Coleman's 90 yard kickoff return touchdown put the Chargers 10-3 ahead, before Pittsburgh went up 13-10 with a minute remaining in the half. The Chargers responded with a rapid 73 yard drive, capped by a Humphries-to-Seay touchdown pass. The pair connected again to convert a 4th and 4 on the first drive of the 3rd quarter, the key play of a 17-play drive culminating in a Means touchdown and a 24-13 lead.

Pittsburgh, who were assured of the #1 seed in the playoffs, had rested many of their starters by this point, but nonetheless rallied. Mike Tomczak led the team on three consecutive touchdown drives, putting them ahead 34-27 with 6:29 to play. Coleman broke off a 46 yard return on the ensuing kickoff, and the Chargers, now led by Gale Gilbert after another Humphries injury, soon reached a 4th and 1 on the Steelers' 20. Means then broke through off right tackle, surviving contact with numerous defenders en route to the end zone. After the defence forced a three-and-out, Means carried four times on a 34 yard drive to set up the winning kick.

Standings

AFC West
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(2) San Diego Chargers 11 5 0 .688 381 306 W2
(6) Kansas City Chiefs 9 7 0 .563 319 298 W2
Los Angeles Raiders 9 7 0 .563 303 327 L1
Denver Broncos 7 9 0 .438 347 396 L3
Seattle Seahawks 6 10 0 .375 287 323 L2

Playoffs

Week Date Opponent Result TV Time(PT) TV Announcers Attendance Location
Division January 8, 1995 Miami Dolphins W 22–21 NBC 1:00pm Dick Enberg & Bob Trumpy
63,381
Jack Murphy Stadium
Conference Championship January 15, 1995 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 17–13 NBC 9:30am Dick Enberg & Bob Trumpy
61,545
Three Rivers Stadium
Super Bowl January 29, 1995 San Francisco 49ers L 26–49 ABC 3:00pm Al Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf
74,107
Joe Robbie Stadium

AFC Divisional Playoffs: Dolphins at Chargers

AFC Divisional Playoffs: (#3) Miami Dolphins at (#2) San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 14 0021
Chargers 0 6 9722

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

The Chargers overcame a 21–6 halftime deficit by limiting the Dolphins offense to only 16 plays in the second half.

AFC Championship Game: Chargers at Steelers

AFC Championship: (#2) San Diego Chargers at (#1) Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 3 7717
Steelers 7 3 3013

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), fog with heavy rain
  • Game attendance: 61,545
  • Referee: Gerald Austin
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

With the upset win over the Steelers, the Chargers went to their first Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XXIX: Chargers vs 49ers

Super Bowl XXIX: (A2) San Diego Chargers vs. (N1) San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 3 8826
49ers 14 14 14749

at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, Florida

The heavily-favoured 49ers proved too strong for San Diego, going ahead 14-0 inside of 5 minutes, and coasting to victory.

Deaths of players

The 1994 Chargers are also remembered for tragedy in the form of numerous untimely deaths, as eight of the players from that 1994 squad have died prematurely since that time, all by the age of 44. It is part of a supposed locally infamous curse in the San Diego area, involving its sports teams.

  • June 19, 1995 – Linebacker David Griggs died in a car accident when his vehicle slid off a ramp on Florida's Turnpike, linking to three roads just west of Fort Lauderdale and subsequently slammed into a pole, he was 28 years old.[2]
  • May 11, 1996 – Running back Rodney Culver and his wife Karen were among the 110 people (105 passengers, 5 crew members) aboard ValuJet Flight 592 when it crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing everyone aboard. He was 26 years old.[3]
  • July 21, 1998 – Linebacker Doug Miller died after being struck twice by lightning during a thunderstorm while camping in Colorado. He was 29 years old.[4]
  • May 11, 2008 – Center Curtis Whitley died of a drug overdose. His body was discovered by sheriff deputies in his trailer home in Fort Stockton, Texas, just one day after his 39th birthday. One of the drugs he was known to use was Crystal methamphetamine.[5]
  • October 15, 2008 – Defensive end Chris Mims was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment by police officers conducting a welfare check. The most likely cause of death was cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart since he weighed 456 pounds or 207 kilograms when he died. He was 38 years old.[6][7]
  • February 26, 2011 – Defensive tackle Shawn Lee died from a cardiac arrest resulting from double pneumonia. Lee had been suffering from diabetes for years prior to his death. He was 44 years old.[8]
  • December 8, 2011 – Linebacker Lewis Bush died from an apparent heart attack, just six days after his 42nd birthday.[9]
  • May 2, 2012 – Linebacker Junior Seau died in his home in Oceanside, California. Seau was discovered already lifeless by his girlfriend. His death was likely a suicide since a self-inflicted gunshot wound was apparent to the chest. He was 43 years old.[10]

References

  1. "1994 San Diego Chargers Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  2. David Griggs; Football Player, 28 – published by The New York Times on June 21, 1995.
  3. ON PRO FOOTBALL; Questions With Few Answers in Culver's Death – published by Thomas George for The New York Times on May 26, 1996.
  4. Doug Miller, LB at NFL.com
  5. Former center Whitley found dead in his Texas trailer home – NFL – ESPN – published on May 14, 2008.
  6. Chris Mims Obituary – published by U-T San Diego.
  7. Chris Mims | Former Charger Mims dead at 38 – published by Sam Farmer for the Los Angeles Times on October 16, 2008.
  8. Former Chargers DL Shawn Lee dead at 44 – published by Chris Jenkins for U-T San Diego on February 28, 2011.
  9. Ex-Washington High, WSU great Bush dies | NFL Archived September 13, 2012, at Archive.today – published by The News Tribune of Tacoma, Washington on December 9, 2011.
  10. Junior Seau, Famed N.F.L. Linebacker, Dies at 43 – Suicide is Suspected – published by Greg Bishop and Rob Davis for The New York Times on May 2, 2012.
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