<P> In 1959 , the team began as the `` Los Angeles Chargers '' when they entered the American Football League ( AFL ) , joining seven other teams : the Denver Broncos , Dallas Texans , Oakland Raiders , New York Titans , Houston Oilers , Buffalo Bills , and Boston Patriots . The Chargers ' first owner was Barron Hilton , the son of Conrad Hilton , founder of the Hilton Hotels corporation . Barron Hilton held a contest to find a name for his team . The prize was a trip to Mexico . A man from Hollywood named Gerald Courtney , submitted the name `` Chargers '' and won . Conrad Hilton said , `` I liked ( the name ) because they were yelling `` charge '' and sounding the bugle at Dodger Stadium and at USC games `` . </P>
<P> In 1959 , the team began as the `` Los Angeles Chargers '' when they entered the American Football League ( AFL ) , joining seven other teams : the Denver Broncos , Dallas Texans , Oakland Raiders , New York Titans , Houston Oilers , Buffalo Bills , and Boston Patriots . The Chargers ' first owner was Barron Hilton , the son of Conrad Hilton , founder of the Hilton Hotels corporation . Barron Hilton held a contest to find a name for his team . The prize was a trip to Mexico . A man from Hollywood named Gerald Courtney , submitted the name `` Chargers '' and won . Conrad Hilton said , `` I liked ( the name ) because they were yelling `` charge '' and sounding the bugle at Dodger Stadium and at USC games `` . </P>
where did san diego chargers get their name
where did san diego chargers get their name
Gerald Courtney
Gerald Courtney