San Diego Chargers: Top 10 Running Backs of All-Time
Dec 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; A San Diego Charger fan cheers during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Lowe, 1960-1968
Lowe, much like Keith Lincoln, was one of the original San Diego Chargers. In fact, Lowe is so original San Diego Chargers that he was with the Bolts when they played in L.A. in 1960. The originality doesn’t stop there, though. In nine seasons with San Diego, Lowe rushed for 4,972 yards (ranked second all-time) and 38 touchdowns (third) on 1,015 carries (third) with 4.9 yards per carry and 54.0 yards per game averages.
Lowe played during an era without knee replacements or modern medicine, let alone proper helmet or head protection. Regardless though, Lowe was able to produce year after year for the early Los Angeles and San Diego Chargers, fresh into the American Football League.
A two-time pro-bowler (1963, ‘65) and all-pro selection (1960, ’65), Lowe was often the AFL’s leading rusher in most statistical categories. In Lowe’s nine-year career with San Diego, he lead the league in rushing yards once (1,121 in 1965), yards per carry twice (6.3 in 1960 and 5.0 in 1965), rushing touchdowns twice (nine in 1961 and six in 1965) and longest rush once (87 yards in 1961).
Lowe, an undrafted Oregon State product, had arguably his best season in 1965 when he rushed for 1,121 yards, six touchdowns and a league-leading 80.1 yards per game average on 5.0 yards per carry. To make matters better (instead of worse), Lowe also added 126 yards and a touchdown on 17 receptions.
The reason why Lowe earns the title of the second best Chargers running back of all-time is not just because he is second in yardage, but because of his overall play. Lowe’s grace on and off the field was a spectacle to be seen and the fact that he was able to succeed for a long period of time in the early days of the Chargers franchise shows the ultimate loyalty, something that some of these other backs simply did not have.
He is the second best Chargers back of all-time and he deserves every ounce of that recognition.
Next: And the greatest Chargers running back ever is...