Former Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon delivered a devastating shot to his old team by expressing his preparedness for empty stadiums. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon: Chargers home games prepared me for playing without fans

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 5/29/20

Former Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon isn't too worried about playing in stadiums without fans. The 27-year-old took a shot at his former club while discussing the possibility that the NFL season may need to be played in massive stadiums that are entirely empty.

"Bro, we didn't have fans anyway," Gordon said in an interview with former NFL cornerback Marcus Cromartie Wednesday. "We didn't have many Chargers fans at the game, I'm just going to be honest. We didn't have many Chargers fans at the game. Much loyalty, love, but we didn't have many. So I'm not missing anything."

I asked former Chargers and current @Broncos RB @Melvingordon25 about the possibility of playing in “fanless stadiums” and his response was PRICELESS! #NFL pic.twitter.com/ErGo5tr2Oc
— Marcus Cromartie (@Cromartie_M) May 28, 2020

The Chargers have been playing in Los Angeles since 2017 at the Dignity Health Sports Park, which was originally built to host soccer games. The stadium has a maximum capacity of 27,000, which is an NFL low, and most fans at Chargers home games were supporters of the opposing team.

Since moving from San Diego, the Chargers haven't been able to build up a large fan base and their tenure in L.A. has been less than ideal. Luckily for the team, though, they'll begin playing games at the brand new SoFi Stadium this season — sharing it with the Rams. The new stadium will have a capacity of 70,240 with the ability to increase to 100,240 for larger events such as the Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup and other major events.

Gordon, now a member of the Broncos, won't be able to play at SoFi Stadium until Denver's matchup with L.A. during Week 16. The two-time Pro Bowler signed a two-year, $16 million deal to play for the Broncos in March. In 2019, Gordon rushed for 612 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 296 yards and one touchdown receiving.

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