Players

Louis Vasquez endured a rough second NFL season after earning All-Rookie honors during his first. Vasquez plays a physically demanding position for the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense. Injuries forced him out twice in 2010: first a knee injury, and later a neck injury. When healthy, Vasquez started 10 games and the Chargers benefitted from his tough and nasty disposition at the right guard spot.

Vasquez, whose first name is pronounced LEW-iss, is one of only a handful of Mexican-American players in the NFL. He has Aztec Indian heritage on both sides of his family as well. He’s also a rarity in his own family as his father stands 5-foot-5 and his mother 5-foot-3. Vasquez is 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds. He hails from a family with a steep and rich boxing background, including his grandfather, after whom he is named. Vasquez has done plenty of boxing himself and his other hobbies include fishing, trap shooting and spending time with family and friends.

TRANSACTION HISTORY: Third-round pick (78) by Chargers, April 26, 2009...signed four-year contract, July 25.

2010:Helped Chargers rush for 151 yards and two touchdowns in 38-13 win over Jacksonville Sept. 19...Chargers had 334 yards passing and three touchdowns, while only allowing one sack vs. Jaguars...missed Games 4-5 (knee) and 11-14 (neck)...solid game Jan. 2 at Denver when Bolts rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns in 33-28 win.

2009: ALL-Rookie by PFW and PFWA...started first-career game on ESPN’s MNF Sept. 14 at OAK...inj. ankle vs. Raiders and INA Weeks 2-3...blocked for season-high 203 rush yards in 32-3 win at DEN Nov. 22 for first-place in AFC West.

COLLEGE: As junior, DNA sack while helping Texas Tech lead nation in passing...offense scored second-most points (40.9 ppg) and racked up second-most yards (529.6 ypg) in nation in '07...played at Texas Tech from 2005-08...majored in general studies.

PERSONAL: Born in Corsicana, Texas...one of Texas’ top prep offensive linemen at Corsicana HS.