It's hard to find anyone who's been a Chargers season ticket member longer than Lawrence (aka Larry) Branton.
In fact, there's no one that goes farther back than him.
"I've been a Charger fan since 1972," Branton said.
An Ohio native who made his way from the San Francisco Bay Area, Branton's love for the team grew after moving to Southern California in 1972.
Being an avid football fan since a young age, he picked up the Chargers fandom and never looked back.
Not only that, but Branton's season tickets date back to 1961 and amazingly enough, has not missed a single home game since 1972.
Branton was named the Chargers 2025 Fan of the Year, as his love for the Bolts has led him to become what is thought to be the longest continuous season ticket holder of the team.
"I've always been a football fan," Branton said. "I'm from Ohio so I'm an Ohio State football fan. I played football in high school. I've always known football as part of my life. I feel like I have to support a team.
"Since I was involved in football, I always wanted to be a football fan," Branton said.
Just how committed is he to never missing a home game? His gameday trek shows how much.
Branton, who lives in the Bay Park neighborhood of San Diego, takes a train up to Los Angeles Union Station for every afternoon game ready to see the Bolts.
"Unless it's a night game, I take the train up to Union Station, from San Diego to Union Station," Branton said. "My daughter picks me up at Union Station, we go to the games together then she drops me off at Union Station and I take a train home."
He's seen it all throughout his time as a fan, with players Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner, Stan Humphries, Antonio Gates and many more all playing a big part.
But the most special thing has been how he's been able to connect with his family though the Chargers fandom, especially his daughters, Lara and Jennifer.
Branton and his family have bonded on the road as well to a number the Chargers games, including 1994 AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh and the team's trip to London in 2018.
"It was a tradition of bonding with my daughter, taking her to out of town games," Branton said. "We've been to a lot of out of town games, always had a great time together going to games. It's been wonderful."
Branton also got a special surprised for being the Chargers Fan of the Year.
While being interviewed, former Chargers Jahleel Addae and Legedu Naanee surprised him with a customized No. 25 jersey that said "FAN OF THE YEAR" on the back, as well as two tickets to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara in February.
A shocked Branton took it all in.
"Overwhelmed," Branton said. "Exciting, I didn't expect this at all."
Branton is now one of the 32 finalists eligible to be chosen as the ultimate Fan of the Year announced during Super Bowl LX Week.
One thing is for sure until then though — he'll be making a couple of trips to SoFi Stadium in the meantime.
"I think it's wonderful. I'm so excited about it and you guys doing this is such a treat," Branton said. "I didn't expect this at all. Yes, I've been to a lot of games, but it's been wonderful. When you're a sports fan, you have to get used to the ups and downs.
"You still support your time, which I do, win or lose. I'm at every game," Branton said. "I hope they will continue to do well and make the playoffs but I far as the Chargers doing this, nothing that I expected. I hope to continue going to every Charger game."
