Why Are the San Diego Chargers Gaining So Many Haters?

You know, I'm probably one of the main reasons that the economy of the United States of America is in the crapper—Instead of being productive while I sit here at work and making money that can be taxed like crazy for Uncle Sam, I'm sitting here going over some of the many interesting and informative periodicals that are available to NFL nuts like me, magazines and blogs that deal with my one true passion: The National Football League.  (Insert NFL Films music or the theme from Monday Night Football here.)

Yep, it's true. And what's ALSO true is that, like you, I'm a big fan of one of the 32 franchises in the NFL, a season-ticket holder and resident wise-cracking 'know-it-all,' when it comes to "that team."

(Gasp) That's right, I'm a fan of the San Diego Chargers. 

OK, OK, put down the eggs and the rotten fruit, this won't be a long speech. See?  Already, all the haters are grabbing for their torches and pitchforks, and, for the most part, if you knew me, i'd probably deserve to be tarred and feathered more than a few times, when it comes to my passion.

Then, after reading yet another blurb about the 2008 NFL season on-line, it finally hits me...

EVERYBODY seems to HATE the San Diego Chargers.

I mean, it's EVERYWHERE!  Teams, fans, scribes, you name it. So, I've made a decision—Instead of writing about the upcoming Chargers/Steelers game on Sunday (already did THAT), I'd chronicle the life of a Charger fan, as he muddles through the muck and mire of the 'web, NFL-style...

First off, we have to go back to when the team was 4-8, seemingly the last time the Chargers were well-liked by the NFL Brethren at large.  Probably because, at THAT time, they weren't a threat to anyone, except maybe their own fans, who thought the "tar-and-feather" idea might be a proper treatment for Norv Turner and his players at the time.

At 4-8, the Chargers were gearing up for an appearance on NFL Network's Thursday Night Football in a home game against the Oakland RaiDUHs (notice the 'DUH' is accentuated, for obvious reasons), the poster children for poor drafts, questionable personnel and coaching moves, and the team that has, without question, the stupidest fans in the NFL. 

Oh, not to mention the fact that I think the RaiDUHs came into the game with a record of 0-12, or something pretty close. (Sorry, as a rule, I don't usually look at the RaiDUHs very close, frankly because I don't feel they've even been a member of the NFL for some five years, now. What, they were 3-9 coming in? Thanks for helping, that's SO much better.)

Anyway, In come the RaiDUHs to Qualcomm, and, and expected, the game's a sham.  34-7 Bolts, with the 'Duhs only score coming on a kickoff return.  Maybe the Arena League has it right -- Have two divisions in your league.  Maybe the RaiDUHs can start the "NFL-2" division -- the 'Duhs, 14 other arena teams, and USC.

So, after a 34-7 loss, the 'Duh fans do what they do best; they go back to their tailgates, and partake in what I call their "four major food groups:" Beer, cigarettes, pizza, and Jack Daniels. 

In-between shots of Jack, they're muttering to themselves about the Chargers, "the team that they can NEVER beat." (By the way, there's a list that's growing exponentially.)

So, RaiDUH fans get the "hate" ball rolling, they're pissed at the San Diego Chargers.  Then again, they're also pissed at late welfare checks, tattoo parlors that aren't open 24/7, and Wal-Marts that don't carry Star Wars helmets any longer.  But I digress.

Next up, Kansas City, in Arrowhead.  Now, by this time, the Chiefs' faithful aren't in a hating mood, since they're battling the 'Duhs for "Draft Board Supremacy," each of these two teams fighting it out for better position in the 2009 college player selection process.

But, with players like Tyler Thigpen giving fantasy folks nightmares, they look like they haven't given up the ship, as of yet.  They're still out there fighting, it'll be a tough game for the Chargers.

Right off the bat, it's vintage Chiefs at home, and more so, VINTAGE San Diego Chargers.  It's 21-3 Chiefs in the third quarter, and the Chargers are doing their best sleepwalking impersonation once again, in the '08 season.

Then, suddenly, IT happened.

It's like someone on the Chargers' bench yelled out, "Hey, guys!  I can't get any good tee times at the golf courses, and Honolulu's booked up through February!"

BOOM!

The Chargers suddenly come alive, scoring one TD in the third quarter, and TWO more TDs in the fourth, including one with just over a minute left, after recovering an on-sides kick. 

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