Skip to main content
Advertising

Chargers Official Site | Los Angeles Chargers - chargers.com

Bolts Earn Litany of Awards Following Impressive 2018 Campaign

020519allen

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of the NFL's top teams in 2018, highlighted by several impressive individual accomplishments.

Here's a closer look at the individual hardware the Bolts took home.

Keenan Allen

Pro Bowl Selection (Second of Career)

Pro Football Focus Second-Team All-Pro (WR)

DETAILS: It was another banner year for the elite wideout as he hauled in 97 catches for 1,196 yards and six touchdowns. Allen reached 420 career receptions, moving into sixth place in team history while also moving into 12th with 28 career touchdowns. He also had three 100-yard games to reach 21 all-time, tying Antonio Gates for the fifth-most in Chargers history. As a result, KA13 became the first Chargers wideout to start in a Pro Bowl since Tony Martin in 1997.

Michael Badgley

AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 14 vs. Cincinnati)

ProFootballTalk Special Teams Rookie of the Year

DETAILS: It was a banner year for Badgley who took the reins at kicker midway through the year and never looked back. His top regular season game came against the Bengals when he made all four of his attempts, including a 59-yard field goal at the end of the first half that set a new record for the longest in franchise history. Overall, he made 15-of-16 attempts on the year, a 93.8-percent mark that set a new team record for single-season field goal percentage with at least 15 conversions. Badgley was also money in the playoffs, especially in the Wild Card win over the Baltimore Ravens as he set team marks for the most field goals made (five) and points (15) in a postseason game.

Austin Ekeler

Pro Football Journal Second-Team All-AFC (Third Down RB)

DETAILS: Ekeler followed up a dynamic rookie campaign by emerging as one of the top receiving backs in the league during his impressive sophomore season.  He finished the year with 39 catches for 404 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Antonio Gates

Chargers' Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Nominee

DETAILS: For all of Gates' noteworthy accomplishments on the field, he's also known for the way he conducts his business off of it. Thus, he was once again the Bolts' nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which recognizes the important role that sportsmanship plays in the game, and how NFL players who demonstrate integrity and honor on the field serve as role models for players at all levels. In addition, Gates was named one of eight finalists for the award.

Melvin Gordon

Pro Bowl Selection (Second of Career)

Pro Football Journal Second-Team All-AFC (RB)

Week 1 NFLPA Community MVP

DETAILS: Gordon took his game to new heights in 2018, dominating the competition despite missing four games. The running back pounded the rock 175 times for 885 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, setting a new personal best by averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He also was lights out in the passing game, ranking second on the team with 50 receptions for 490 yards and four receiving TDs. In the process, Gordon extended his streak of seasons with at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns to three, which is the longest active streak right now in the NFL. He also tied a team record with six-straight games with 120 scrimmage yards at one point and eclipsed 5,000 yards from scrimmage in the 52nd game of his career, becoming the second-fastest running back in team history to do so behind only LaDainian Tomlinson (41).

Melvin Ingram

Pro Bowl Selection (Second of Career)

DETAILS: The fearsome edge rusher was once again a menace, terrorizing opposing QBs all year long to make his second-straight Pro Bowl. He totaled 53 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and the first regular-season interception of his career. Ingram also moved into sole possession of seventh on the team's all-time sack list with 42. Ingram was also a handful in the postseason, especially the win over Baltimore as he became the first Charger to record two sacks in a postseason game since Raylee Johnson in Super Bowl XXIX vs. the 49ers.

Derwin James

Pro Bowl Selection (First of Career)

The Associated Press First-Team All-Pro (S)

AP Second-Team All-Pro (DB)

Professional Football Writers of America All-NFL (S)

PFWA All-AFC (S)

PFWA All-Rookie (S)

Pro Football Focus Defensive Rookie of the Year

PFF Second-Team All-Pro (S)

PFF All-Rookie (S)

Pro Football Journal First-Team All-Pro (S)

PFJ First-Team All-AFC (S)

PFJ First-Team All-Rookie (SS-Flex S)

DETAILS: It was a rookie year for the ages as James immediately entrenched himself as one of the league's premiere safeties right from Week 1. He became the first rookie in Chargers history to record 100 tackles as he led the team with 109. The safety also posted 15 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions, becoming the first rookie since the Titans' Zach Brown in 2012 to record multiple interceptions and at least 3.5 sacks. James was a complete game-changer on the back end as the Bolts lined him up in a variety of roles. He also became one of the most respected defensive playmakers in the league as opposing coaches and players went out of their way to rave about the safety's playmaking abilities.

Desmond King

The Associated Press First-Team All-Pro (DB)

AP Second-Team All-Pro (PR)

AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9 at Seattle)

AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 13 at Pittsburgh)

Pro Football Focus First-Team All-Pro (Flex Defender)

Pro Football Journal Second-Team All-Pro (Fifth DB)

PFJ Second-Team All-AFC (Fifth DB)

DETAILS: Week in and week out, King came through for the Bolts as he emerged as one of the top slot corners in the NFL. Overall, the 24-year old finished his second-season with 60 tackles, four tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed and three interceptions. King was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following the Chargers' win over the Seattle Seahawks, notching three tackles and three passes defensed including a 42-yard pick six. He also broke out as one of the league's top returners, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in the Bolts' win over the Pittsburgh Steelers thanks to a game-changing 73-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the third quarter. In doing so, King became the first player since 2011 (CB Lardarius Webb) and just the seventh league-wide since 2000 to have a pick-six and a punt return TD in the same season.

Corey Liuget

Chargers' Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee

DETAILS: It was a tough year for Liuget on the field as he appeared in only six games. However, his impact in the community resulted in the Bolts nominating him for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which is recognizes a player's excellence both on and off the field. Liuget earned the nomination for his dedication to participating in various community events and initiatives as well as continuing his working relationship with the American Heart Association (AHA).

Russell Okung

Chargers' Bart Starr Award Nominee

DETAILS: A rock at left tackle, the two-time Pro Bowler is also as active in the community as anyone. Thus, the Bolts nominated him for the Bart Star Award, given to the player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community

Adrian Phillips

Pro Bowl Selection (First of Career)

The Associated Press First-Team All-Pro (Special Teamer)

Professional Football Writers of America All-NFL (Special Teamer)

PFWA All-AFC (Special Teamer)

DETAILS: The Chargers have long appreciated everything "AP" brings to the table, but in 2018, the league finally took notice. Not only is Phillips an invaluable part of the team's defense in which he lines up as a hybrid safety-linebacker, but he's lights out on special teams, which is why he was named a First-Team All-Pro while earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Phillips led the NFL with 19 special teams tackles while adding 77 tackles, five tackles for loss one forced fumble and an interception on defense. He also logged 12 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery in the playoffs.

Mike Pouncey

Pro Bowl Selection (Fourth of Career)

DETAILS: A key offseason acquisition, Pouncey played an integral role in one of the league's most explosive offenses. He kept Philip Rivers upright to pick apart defenses while paving the way for Melvin Gordon's career-year. As a result, the former Miami Dolphin earned his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl.

Philip Rivers

Pro Bowl Selection (Eighth of Career)

AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 12 vs. Arizona — 10th)

FedEx Air Player of the Week (Week 13 at Pittsburgh — 14th)

FedEx Air Player of the Week (Week 15 at Kansas City — 15th)

DETAILS: It was another lights out season for Rivers, one which ranks up there among the best of his career. The quarterback was an MVP candidate for much of the year, completing 347 of 508 attempts (68.3 percent) for 4,308 yards, 32 touchdowns and just 12 picks for a 105.5 passer rating. His most impressive performance came against Arizona when he authored the most efficient game in NFL history, setting all-time records for single-game consecutive completions (25) and single-game completion percentage with at least 20 attempts (96.6). Rivers also reached 118 career regular-season wins, tying the legendary Johnny Unitas for 10th all-time while also moving into sixth in league annals in passing touchdowns and eighth in passing yards. Number 17 reached 30 TD passes for the sixth time, tying Aaron Rodgers for the fifth-most in NFL history while posting 4,000-plus yards through the air for the 10th time, which is the third most in NFL history.

Mike Williams

AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 15 at Kansas City)

Pro Football Journal First-Team All-AFC (Third WR)

DETAILS: Mike Williams rebounded from an injury-plagued rookie year to become one of the NFL's most dangerous weapons. Playing in all 16 games, the wideout caught 43 passes for 664 yards and 10 touchdowns while carrying the rock seven times for 41 yards and an additional TD. His 11 total touchdowns were the fourth-most by a wideout in the NFL, and in the process, he became the first Chargers wide receiver to post double-digit touchdowns since Tony Martin in 1996. Most notably, his lights out game in the Bolts' epic win over the Chiefs was truly one for the ages as he accounted for 20 points to become the AFC's Offensive Player of the Week. Williams set single-game career highs in receptions (seven) for 76 yards and two touchdowns in the win while also recording his first rushing touchdown on a 19-yard carry in the third quarter. To top it off, Williams hauled in the game-winning two-point conversion with four seconds remaining after catching a touchdown to bring the Bolts within one.

Related Content

From Our Partners

Advertising