This very well could be the San Diego Chargers’ last year in the city as they have already accepted to share a stadium with the Los Angeles Rams if they decide to move north in the state. However, the NFL wants the city to contribute $350 million for a new stadium and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is trying hard to convince them so.
He was in the city on Saturday at a rally that was in support of the tax increase to build the new stadium. He talked up the possible stadium as “a home for the Chargers and a perfect place for a Super Bowl,” according to The San Diego Tribune.
Current Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers and legendary running back Ladanian Tomlinson both spoke to the crowd and seemed pretty supportive of the new stadium.
“I mean, dadgumit,” Rivers said in his North Carolina drawl. “… It just makes sense right? I hope I’m still around to play in it. Let’s get it done together.”
Tomlinson spoke about the history of the San Diego Chargers and even mentioned an even-more legendary player, Junior Seau.
“Fifty-five years the Chargers have been in this community, which just happens to be your favorite son’s, the late Junior Seau’s number,” Tomlinson said to chants of his nickname, “LT”. “If Junior was here, you know where he would be. He would be sitting right here. In fact, he probably would go to each door in this community to get those votes.”
There is no question that the NFL would love to bring the Super Bowl back to San Diego, which hasn’t hosted one since Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003. However, that isn’t likely going to happen without a new stadium and Goodell wants to see it happen for the city.
“If I can play a constructive role, I want to be here,” Goodell said. “This is a great day. You see the passion of the fans. You see how important this is to him. It’s our job to go and find a solution for this community and this team.”
The quest for a San Diego Super Bowl is on, but it will be interesting to see what actually happens in the next few years.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
