Chargers have a lot on their minds
In another one of those real world/play world collisions, the San Diego Chargers are in a quandary about where their upcoming game against the Houston Texans will be played. Southern California wildfires have made life miserable for hundreds of thousands of people who have had to flee their homes because of the threat -- among them, dozens of members of the Chargers' organization, including coach Norv Turner, quarterback Philip Rivers and linebacker Shawne Merriman.
Because of smoky conditions in the San Diego area, the Chargers are practicing at the Arizona Cardinals' facility. And San Diego's home field, Qualcomm Stadium, is being used as an evacuation relief center for thousands of displaced residents.
It's unclear where the Chargers will play what was supposed to be a home game against the Houston Texans on Sunday. So far, the choices appear to be moving the game to Houston or Dallas or trying to play it Monday night in San Diego, if conditions in Southern California permit. Although the Cardinals won't be using their own stadium, a motorcycle show is scheduled there. This isn't the first time that the Chargers have been forced to find a temporary site for a game. Four years ago, wildfires forced a San Diego game against Miami to be moved to the Cardinals' home field, which was Sun Devil Stadium back then. The San Diego mayor is expected to make a decision today about how Qualcomm will be used for the weekend.
Photo credit: Jon Vidar/AP
Comments
I pick Arizona. The Chargers have a good fan base there and we can drive out.
There are still fires and lots of San Diego look like the moon with all the soot. Big poofs of soot every time you walk is not where I want LT.
Or ... if Monday night, it has to take place of the existing game on TV - and I don't think the NFL will go for that.
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Gunter,
I don't think Arizona is a choice because there's a motorcycle show at the stadium. Good luck out there.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Gunter | October 25, 2007 2:22 PM
I went to the Charger/Miami game that was relocated four years ago...it was a hectic 4 hour drive, and for those of us who had tickets...we were promissed "the best seats in the house", but they gave us crappy seats and all the "free" tickets that went to the community...they got all the good seats! Go figure, I pay $79 for my ticket, spend 4 hours on the road, and get the Bob Ueker seats!
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Yikes ... a real fan horror story.
-- bill O.
Posted by: Sam | October 25, 2007 3:51 PM
I live in Dallas and if it comes I'll throw a Merriman jersey on and go. We were supposed to get word on where it would be today. They can't be expected to sell 60,000 seats in 1 day. They need to hurry up and announce the decision. They actually could do it like they used to and just have a ticket booth set up at the game and sell them there. I think they should play it in Arizona, but that venue isn't available. What they need to do is play it in a neutral place with no Texan fans. I still don't understand why they don't play it in Los Angelos. If the game is however played in Dallas. I'll do my best to support the Chargers and welcome them with open arms to big "D".
Posted by: John Shepherd | October 25, 2007 8:30 PM