Former Chargers LB Chuck Allen Dies at Age 77

Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday that former San Diego Chargers linebacker Chuck Allen has died at the age of 77. 

Allen played 12 years in the NFL, nine with the Chargers during the franchise's first seasons of existence from 1961 to 1969. 

He recorded 28 interceptions throughout his career, which also included short stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. 

But he will forever be remembered as one of the greatest linebackers in franchise history; he played a big part in San Diego's 1963 AFL championship headlined by its title-game win over the Boston Patriots 51-10. 

It still is the city's only major professional sports title. 

Listed at 6'1", 225 pounds during his playing days by Pro-Football-Reference.com, he wasn't the most hulking presence on the field, but his tenacity was unmatched, as former San Diego Union-Tribune sportswriter Jerry McGee recalled, via Gehlken:

"

He was a hitter, and he played to the very best of his ability, which is all you can ask of a guy. … The thing that sticks out in my mind is they’re playing the Jets in Shea Stadium one night, and Chuck had suffered a severe injury — I think it was a broken leg — and he hopped all the way across the field on one leg in order to save the team a timeout. That’s the kind of guy he was.

"

Allen was a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame as well as the organization's 50th anniversary team. He recently appeared at Qualcomm Stadium for the team's alumni weekend on Nov. 6.