Chargers roll out new "Bold New Tradition"

Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

Photo gallery: Uniform Unveiling

Five players from what the Chargers look to define as a special era in Bolts football unveiled the team’s new look Wednesday at a “fashion show” held at the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego.

“We really believe that we’re built to win a championship,” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said.  “We’re excited to have a new look for that journey.  We feel fortunate that the Chargers are allowing us to have our own look and establish our own identity.  It’s an exciting time to be a Charger.” 

Tomlinson and center Nick Hardwick showed off the navy blue jerseys and white pants, the combination the Chargers will wear for most home games.  When asked to describe his flashy attire, Hardwick referred to it as “the A.G. Spanos model.” Hardwick was referring to the Chargers’ Director of Marketing Programs & Business Development, who has spent the last year and a half working on the team’s new logo and jerseys. 

Linebacker Shawne Merriman and wide receiver Kassim Osgood took to the catwalk in the road uniforms, the white jerseys and navy pants.

“It was a little hard putting on that jersey because usually when I do that I’m getting ready to play,” Merriman said.  “I have to wait a few months for that, but it was really cool to be involved today.  Everyone that was here really seemed to like the new jerseys.  We all love them.  We can’t wait to hit the field in them.”

Finally, fullback Lorenzo Neal strutted down the aisle in the newly-designed Powder blue jersey, which the Chargers will wear at two home games each season.  The team also worked the popular shade back into the official color scheme and brought back a piece of Chargers history with the new metallic white helmets. 

“With the white helmets and the powder blue around the lightning bolts, it incorporates the team’s history but at the same time gives us our own look and our own identity,” Neal said.  “You’ve got the best of all worlds.  I think it looks sharp.”

Over the past few days, many Chargers fans got small glimpses of the team’s new duds, but Wednesday’s event allowed them to see the entire new product.

“Today was great because we got to see everything,” said Chargers fan Dan Touchette.  “I was a little skeptical when I first heard about the change, but after seeing everything, it’s grown on me.  It’s really nice.”

“I love it,” said Dave Lee, a life-long Chargers fan who lives in La Mesa. “Everything about it is great.  I can’t wait to buy the new jerseys.  They look awesome.” 

Several Chargers players who weren’t directly involved with the show attended the event to lend their support. Linebacker Shaun Phillips, defensive tackle Brandon McKinney, wide receiver Greg Camarillo and linebacker Stephen Cooper all mingled with fans as many of the players themselves received their first look at the new jerseys.

“Today was the first time that I saw the new jerseys and I really love them,” Cooper said.  “It was great to be here with so many people who are excited about what’s going on with the Chargers.  We feel like we’re creating something special.  Now we’ve got a new look that goes along with that.”

Offensive tackle Marcus McNeill also had his own role in Wednesday’s event.  McNeill served as a guest correspondent for the NFL Network and worked the room interviewing his teammates and getting their insight on the team’s “Bold New Tradition.”

“It was just a fun day for all of us,” McNeill said.  “When you look good you play good, and we’re definitely going to look good this fall.  We just can’t wait for the season to get here so our fans can watch us chase that championship in our new look.”

Photo gallery: Uniform Unveiling