The Los Angeles Chargers retired jerseys represent a select, prestigious honor that only a handful of franchise legends have ever received. The Chargers have retired just seven jersey numbers in their entire history, which began in 1960 — a remarkably small number for a franchise with over six decades of football.
Many fans struggle to distinguish between officially retired numbers and informally "honored" players, leading to confusion about who truly belongs in this elite group. Understanding chargers retired jerseys requires knowing the complete list of retired numbers, the stories behind each legend, how the Chargers' approach compares to other NFL teams, and what the future holds for potential retirements.
The Complete List of Chargers Retired Jerseys
The Chargers have officially retired seven jersey numbers, each belonging to a player who defined an era of the franchise. Understanding the full list helps you separate official retirements from popular misconceptions about other beloved players. When fans discuss chargers retired jerseys, they often include players who have not actually received this honor.
The seven retired numbers are:
- No. 14 — Dan Fouts (Quarterback, 1973–1987)
- No. 19 — Lance Alworth (Wide Receiver, 1962–1970)
- No. 21 — LaDainian Tomlinson (Running Back, 2001–2009)
- No. 55 — Junior Seau (Linebacker, 1990–2002)
- No. 80 — Kellen Winslow (Tight End, 1979–1987)
- No. 29 — Paul Lowe (Running Back, 1960–1968) — retired by the San Diego Chargers, honored by the Los Angeles Chargers
- No. 74 — Ron Mix (Offensive Tackle, 1960–1969)
What surprises many fans is that players like Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and Charlie Joiner have not had their numbers officially retired. Rivers' No. 17 and Gates' No. 85 remain in circulation, though the team has effectively kept them out of use. Knowing the exact chargers retired jerseys list prevents common fan errors.
How to apply this: Pull up the Chargers' official media guide or team website and verify any "retired jersey" claim against this list before sharing it.
What "Retired" Actually Means for the Chargers
A retired jersey means the number is permanently removed from circulation and no future player on that team may wear it. For the Chargers, this practice formally began in 1980 when the team retired Lance Alworth's No. 19.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's official guidelines state that "retiring a number is the highest honor a team can bestow upon a player, signifying that no one will ever again wear that numeral for that franchise." This distinguishes retirement from a "Ring of Honor" or "Chargers Hall of Fame" induction, which celebrate a player without removing their number from use.
The Chargers also maintain a team Hall of Fame and a Ring of Honor at SoFi Stadium. Players in those categories may still have their numbers worn by current athletes — a critical distinction many fans miss when discussing chargers retired jerseys. The difference between chargers retired jerseys and other honors is the permanence of the number removal.
| Honor Level | Number Removed From Use? | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Retired Jersey | Yes, permanently | Fouts (14), Tomlinson (21) |
| Chargers Hall of Fame | No | Chuck Allen, Hank Bauer |
| Ring of Honor | No | Many Hall of Famers |
How to apply this: When you see a Chargers legend celebrated at SoFi Stadium, check whether their number has been "retired" or merely "honored" — the team's official website lists each category separately.
The Stories Behind Each Retired Number
Every retired Chargers jersey carries a story that explains why that player earned the franchise's highest honor. Knowing these stories deepens your appreciation for what the honor means. The chargers retired jerseys are more than numbers — they represent defining moments in football history.
Dan Fouts — No. 14
Fouts redefined NFL passing under head coach Don Coryell's "Air Coryell" offense. He led the league in passing yards four consecutive seasons (1979–1982) and was the first player in NFL history to post back-to-back 4,000-yard passing seasons. The Chargers retired his number in 1988, one year after his final game.
LaDainian Tomlinson — No. 21
Tomlinson won the 2006 NFL MVP award after setting a single-season record with 28 rushing touchdowns and 31 total touchdowns — marks that still stand. He rushed for 13,684 yards with the Chargers. His number retirement in 2012 came just three years after he left the team, a rare and swift honor.
Lance Alworth — No. 19
Alworth, nicknamed "Bambi," was the AFL's most dominant receiver. He led the AFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns three times each and was the first AFL player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. The Chargers retired his number in 1980.
Junior Seau — No. 55
Seau was a 12-time Pro Bowler and the emotional heart of the Chargers' defense throughout the 1990s. His number was retired in 2012 following his tragic passing that same year. The emotional weight of this retirement makes it one of the most poignant among all chargers retired jerseys.
Kellen Winslow — No. 80
Winslow revolutionized the tight end position. His legendary 1981 playoff performance against the Miami Dolphins — 13 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown while battling exhaustion — remains one of the greatest individual games ever played.
How to apply this: Choose one retired player you know least about and watch a highlight reel or documentary on them — understanding these stories makes attending Chargers games far more meaningful.
How the Chargers Compare to Other NFL Teams
The Chargers' seven retired numbers place them in a conservative tier among NFL franchises. This comparison helps you understand whether the team's approach is unusually selective or typical. When evaluating chargers retired jerseys against other teams, the franchise's restraint becomes clear.
The Chicago Bears hold the record with 14 retired numbers, the most in the NFL. The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers have each retired around 12. In contrast, teams like the Houston Texans have retired zero numbers (though they exist only since 2002).
The Chargers' selectivity has frustrated some fans who expected faster retirements for Rivers, Gates, or even longtime punter Darren Bennett. Team president John Spanos addressed this in a 2021 interview, stating that "retiring a number is reserved for the absolute pinnacle of Chargers history — players whose impact transcended statistics."
This philosophy explains why a franchise with over 60 seasons and numerous Hall of Famers has only seven retired jerseys. The team values exclusivity over sentimentality, making chargers retired jerseys a particularly meaningful honor.
How to apply this: Compare the Chargers' list against the Pro Football Hall of Fame to see how many retired Chargers are also Hall of Famers — currently six of the seven.
Future Candidates for Retirement
Several Chargers legends remain in the queue for potential jersey retirement, and the debate over who deserves the honor next is active among fans and analysts. The future of chargers retired jerseys could include several notable names in the coming years.
The strongest future candidates include:
- Philip Rivers (No. 17) — Retired in 2020 after 16 seasons with the Chargers, holding franchise records for passing yards, touchdowns, and completions
- Antonio Gates (No. 85) — The NFL's all-time touchdown leader among tight ends, with 116 career scores
- Charlie Joiner (No. 18) — A Hall of Fame receiver who was a key part of the Air Coryell offense
One common fan mistake is assuming Hall of Fame induction automatically triggers jersey retirement. The Chargers have not retired Joiner's number despite his Hall of Fame status, proving the team's bar remains high. The next additions to chargers retired jerseys will likely come from the Rivers and Gates era.
The organization has unofficially kept Rivers' No. 17 out of circulation since his departure, which some interpret as a signal that formal retirement is inevitable. The NFL's official team records page tracks these honors as they happen.
How to apply this: Follow the Chargers' official announcements during halftime ceremonies — the team typically announces retirements during home games, often at SoFi Stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions About chargers retired jerseys
Why hasn't Philip Rivers' number been officially retired?
The Chargers have not publicly committed to a timeline for retiring Rivers' No. 17. Rivers retired in 2020 after spending 16 seasons with the franchise and holding nearly every major passing record. The team may be waiting for his Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibility window to close or for a marquee home game to maximize the ceremony's impact.
Some franchises wait several years after a player's retirement to avoid emotional decisions about chargers retired jerseys.
Are chargers retired jerseys displayed at SoFi Stadium?
Yes, the retired numbers appear in the Chargers' section of SoFi Stadium, but the presentation differs from older venues. At Qualcomm Stadium, the numbers hung prominently on the upper deck facade. At SoFi Stadium, the Chargers honor retired players through digital displays and the Ring of Honor, which rotates on video boards during games.
The physical retired number banners are part of the team's traveling historical exhibit.
Unlike the prominent upper-deck facade at Qualcomm Stadium, chargers retired jerseys are presented differently within the Chargers’ section of SoFi Stadium.
What happens if a retired player's number is accidentally issued?
This scenario is extremely rare but has happened with other NFL teams. If a Chargers equipment manager accidentally issued No. 14, No. 19, or any retired number, the league office would likely catch it during uniform approval. The NFL requires teams to submit uniform assignments before each season. The number would be changed immediately.
No current Chargers player has ever worn a retired number since the team formalized the practice.
Can the Chargers un-retire a number if a star player requests it?
No NFL team has ever un-retired a number for a new player, and the Chargers have no stated policy allowing it. The concept exists mostly in fan speculation. In rare cases, a retired player can personally grant permission — for example, some franchises have allowed sons of retired players to wear their father's number.
This has never happened with the Chargers, and the team treats chargers retired jerseys as permanent.
Do the Chargers retire numbers for coaches or executives?
No. All seven chargers retired jerseys belong to players only. Head coach Sid Gillman, who led the team to the 1963 AFL Championship and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has no retired number because coaches do not wear jerseys. The team honors coaches and executives through the Chargers Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor instead.
This policy is consistent with nearly every NFL franchise.
Conclusion
- The Chargers have officially retired seven jersey numbers, representing the franchise's most elite players across its AFL and NFL history
- Retirement is distinct from Hall of Fame induction or Ring of Honor placement — only retirement removes a number from circulation
- Dan Fouts, Lance Alworth, LaDainian Tomlinson, Junior Seau, Kellen Winslow, Paul Lowe, and Ron Mix form the exclusive club
- Future retirements likely include Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, though the team's conservative approach means no guarantees
Understanding chargers retired jerseys gives you a deeper connection to the franchise's history and helps you speak accurately about its greatest legends. The next time you watch a Chargers game, look for the retired number displays and appreciate what each digit represents.
Share this guide with a fellow fan who confuses "retired" with "honored" — they will thank you for the clarity.
