We might have just watched the second to last time the San Diego Chargers will ever play on our home turf.
At Qualcomm Stadium it’s not just about the franchise but the fans and people who make a living out there too.
In between the beats, the ball and the beanbag it’s the talk of the tailgate outside Qualcommn Stadium.
“Even if they stay here, I don’t think I’ll buy a seat license,” Duane Palmer told NBC7.
Palmer has been a season ticket holder the last 52 years, even attending Super Bowls I, II, and III.
“I was there for the Miami game and as I walked into the stadium I said to my wife, ‘football is getting expensive you know. These Super Bowl tickets are $12.00’. I still have the stubs,” said Palmer.
As Marines collected Toys for Tots in the parking lot, Charger fans already know what they want for Christmas. “To know the Chargers might be staying in San Diego. That would be a great Christmas present,” Will Mercardo said.
Mercado and his friends were getting their faces painted by Shani Hunter. She makes about $300.00 a game, multiplied by eight home games, and uses that money for rent, to feed her children, and groceries.
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“I had a person whose face I painted and he ended up on the Charger ticket. How awesome is that!” Hunter said.
Even the people who pick up cans in the parking lot told NBC 7 they earn a few hundred dollars a season, which would be lost if the Chargers leave.
At every tailgate, we found a story of tradition. Emil Schaffner kicked off his tradition in 1966, right when he got his driver’s license. “I’m just tired of it. I come all the way up here, it’s getting very expensive and what do we get? We went to one Super Bowl in Florida and we lost that big time.”
But what will Schaffner do with his Sundays now? “I’ll go back to work I guess… Probably go hunting or something,” he said.
The year-to-year lease on Qualcomm Stadium is up in February, but if history repeats itself the city and franchise won’t start renegotiations until post season.
