For the unfortunate lack of success that the Chargers have had as an organization, countless top-tier players have come through the franchise.
Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Junior Seau, LaDainian Tomlinson, and quite a few others became – and still are – household numbers because of their time in the powder blue and yellow.
The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame's just-announced list of finalists includes a couple of former Chargers, Gates among them. Two key former Chargers defensive players also made the cut: Dwight Freeney and Rodney Harrison.
Freeney only played two seasons with the Bolts (after his prime), but was fairly productive on a per-snap basis. Across his career, he accumulated 125.5 sacks and was named to 4 All-Pro teams, 7 Pro Bowls, and led the league in sacks and fumbles once a piece.
Harrison, however, spent quite a few great years as a Bolt, being selected a First-Team All-Pro and to the Bolts' 50th Anniversary Team.
His First-Team All-Pro season was phenomenal, as in 1998, the Western Illinois product recorded 6 sacks and 6 forced fumbles, leading the Bolts' defense alongside Junior Seau.
Gates is a lock, but Freeney and Harrison also have some strong cases. Let's see which former Bolts can receive gold jackets in the coming months.
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