The Chargers are connected to Super Bowl 50 in so many ways
The San Diego Chargers knew Ron Rivera long before he became "Riverboat Ron."
He was just a defensive assistant then. Now he's wearing a different shade of bright blie -- as the head coach of the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers.
Rivera isn't alone. When Super Bowl 50 kicks off in two weeks in Santa Clara, Calif., plenty of participants on both sidelines can thank the Chargers for a career jump-start.
Rivera: Chargers' defensive coordinator from 2008-10. Interviewed for the head coaching position in 2007; it went to former coach Norv Turner instead.
Wade Phillips: San Diego's defensive coordinator before Rivera (2004-06). Phillips turned that gig into a head coaching job with the Cowboys. Currently the Broncos' defensive coordinator
Steve Wilks: Current Panthers assistant head coach/secondary coach. Former assistant under Rivera in San Diego from 2009-11.
Mike Tolbert: Four-year Chargers fullback (2008-11). Broke out in 2010 (182 carries, 735 yards, 11 touchdowns) before signing with the Panthers in 2012.
Louis Vasquez: Blossoming Chargers guard (2009-12) who swapped AFC West teams in 2013. First-team All-Pro with the Broncos in 2013.
Mike Remmers: Debuted for on the Chargers' offensive line in 2013. Jumped to the Vikings and Rams before landing in Carolina. He's the Panthers' starting right tackle now.
Fozzy Whittaker: Spent his 2013 preseason as a Chargers runnung back before landing with the Panthers in 2014.
-
2024 NFL mock draft: Michael Penix Jr. rises, Brock Bowers cracks top 10
2024 NFL Draft Date, Time: Schedule, how to watch, TV channel
2024 NFL Draft order: Updated after Round 1
-
2024 NFL Draft: 6 QBs go in top 13, Jets trade up in Joel Klatt's mock draft
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL Draft RB rankings: No clear stars, but deep top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft OT rankings: Scouting the best tackle class in 20-plus years
2024 NFL Draft: 5 QBs drafted, Jets add Bowers in Nick Wright's final mock draft
-
2024 NFL mock draft: Michael Penix Jr. rises, Brock Bowers cracks top 10
2024 NFL Draft Date, Time: Schedule, how to watch, TV channel
2024 NFL Draft order: Updated after Round 1
-
2024 NFL Draft: 6 QBs go in top 13, Jets trade up in Joel Klatt's mock draft
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
-
2024 NFL Draft RB rankings: No clear stars, but deep top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft OT rankings: Scouting the best tackle class in 20-plus years
2024 NFL Draft: 5 QBs drafted, Jets add Bowers in Nick Wright's final mock draft