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No decision has been made about the fate of the San Diego Chargers. They are one of three teams, along with the St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders, that could be relocated to Los Angeles pending a vote among league owners in January.
Chargers players and fans treated Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins like it might the last game ever played at Qualcomm Stadium. It was a good day for everyone in the midst of a trying season. The Chargers won convincingly, 30-14, behind three touchdown passes from Philip Rivers and four total touchdowns scored by Danny Woodhead.
After the game, players were emotional. Veterans like Rivers, safety Eric Weddle and wide receiver Malcom Floyd stayed on the field until long after the game ended. They signed autographs for fans who didn't want to leave, and soaked in Qualcomm Stadium one last time.
As "Stay a Little Bit Longer" played on stadium speakers, Philip Rivers walked off field fighting back tears and applauding fans.
— UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) December 21, 2015
Philip Rivers thanking and visiting with #Chargers fans pic.twitter.com/i1brWtKw7C
— Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) December 21, 2015
Philip Rivers has returned to the field to sign autographs and pay homage to fans. Joins Eric Weddle & Malcom Floyd. pic.twitter.com/Ff6ffFmasW
— UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) December 21, 2015
Chargers game ended 45 minutes ago. Eric Weddle yet to go to locker room. Still signing. pic.twitter.com/FyfymlCjHL
— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) December 21, 2015
Weddle was last to leave (interestingly, head coach Mike McCoy was second to last). He laid down in the middle of the field, picking grass.
Rivers spoke to the media after the game, and it was clear as he held back tears that Sunday's game meant a lot to him. He even signed his shoes and gave them to fans before returning to the locker room, shoeless.
"The whole day was special. The only way to treat it was as if it was the last time." #Chargers' Philip Rivers pic.twitter.com/gwsNTUIVFO
— Brie Thiele (@BrieThiele) December 21, 2015
"It's clear the Chargers mean more to this community than wins and losses. Felt like we won a playoff game." -Rivers pic.twitter.com/HRB11Uhanw
— Brie Thiele (@BrieThiele) December 21, 2015
Reporters at Qualcomm were overwhelmed by the atmosphere in the stadium. The Chargers fanbase has been criticized at times, perhaps rightly, for failing to turn out every week for its team. There seemed to be no question that the love was flowing freely Sunday.
Just got read loud at the Q as Good Riddance by @GreenDay blasts throughout the stadium #Chargers pic.twitter.com/ItkhXZkAKa
— Brie Thiele (@BrieThiele) December 21, 2015
#Chargers fans look like they're saying good-bye #gameday #MIAvsSD pic.twitter.com/zxhiKAx7aB
— Brie Thiele (@BrieThiele) December 21, 2015
Los Angeles may bring the Chargers millions. Difficult to believe it'll bring them emotions seen at Qualcomm Stadium today.
— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) December 21, 2015
Fans still here at Qualcomm Stadium pic.twitter.com/aDyCQVIZCa
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) December 21, 2015
Fans reacted to the situation in different ways. Some celebrated, some were melancholy, and others were angry with ownership for trying to take their team from them.
It is important to understand that many fans and players lose a big part of their identity when their teams move. It's easy to make fun of the Chargers -- their lack of success, and a home atmosphere that was frequently dominated by visiting teams -- but Sunday was a hard day for a lot of people in San Diego.