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Chargers Minority Owner George Pernicano Dies at Age 99

Rob GoldbergOct 6, 2016

San Diego Chargers minority owner George Pernicano died Thursday at the age of 99.

The team's Twitter account announced the news:

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Pernicano, who was a part-owner of the franchise since 1961, was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1996.

While he owned only 3 percent of the Chargers in 2016, he had a 7 percent stake in the organization when he helped bring the squad from Los Angeles to San Diego in 1961.

Despite the limited share, Pernicano was known for his fandom, as he made an effort to go to every game, both home and away.

Hall of Fame tackle Ron Mix had high praise when he discussed Pernicano in 2005, per Jay Paris of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

"
He really is appreciated, absolutely, by the Chargers of that era. We didn't see him as a character, we saw him as an enthusiastic, perhaps eccentric, man who loved the team, loved the players.
He really exemplified what you like to envision an owner to be. He not only loved the game, but had an appreciation for the players.
"

Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune also had nice words for the longtime member of the organization:

Pernicano is survived by two sons, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, per CBS8.com.