was traded to the San Diego Chargers for tight end Willie Frazier. Playing 14 seasons with San Diego, Wilkerson was named the team's Lineman of the Year seven times, including four straight from 1974 through 1977. The Chargers struggled in his first seven seasons before Don Coryell became their head coach mid-season in 1978. They reached the playoffs from 1979 through 1982, finishing in the top-4 in the NFL in points each season, twice leading the league. San Diego won three straight AFC West division titles and played in back-to-back AFC Championship Games. Their Hall of Fame quarterback, Dan Fouts, in appreciation of the offensive line's critical role in the success of their Air Coryell offense, treated his blockers to dinner before each game. Playing on one of the NFL's most prolific offenses, Wilkerson was named to three straight Pro Bowls starting in 1980. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 1979 and 1980 before being named to the first-team in 1982. In 1984, Wilkerson was named the co-winner of the Chargers' Lineman of the Year. Two and a half weeks into training camp in 1985, he announced his retirement. In 15 NFL seasons, Wilkerson played in 204 regular-season games, starting 195. He ended his Chargers career with 195 games played, the second most in franchise history behind former teammate and fellow lineman Russ Washington. Wilkerson did not miss a game with San Diego until his ninth season there and missed just eight games total in 14 years. He was named to the Chargers Hall of Fame, as well as their 40th and 50th anniversary teams. He was also inducted into San Diego's Breitbard Hall of Fame In 1987, Wilkerson came out or retirement signing and playing for the Graz Giants of the Austrian Football League becoming the Giants' first NFL player. In his later years, Wilkerson was the strength and conditioning coach for the Los Angeles Raiders (1990–1994) and player relations executive for the St. Louis Rams (1995–1996). Personal life Wilkerson died on February 21, 2021, at the age of 73. References 1947 births 2021 deaths American football offensive linemen North Carolina Central Eagles football players Players of American football from North Carolina Houston Oilers players Los Angeles Raiders coaches San Diego Chargers players American Conference Pro Bowl players Sportspeople from Fayetteville, North Carolina St. Louis Rams executives American expatriate players of American football American expatriate sportspeople in Austria Place