NFL notes: Chargers leaving for Los Angeles.
San Diego — As angry fans gathered outside to say goodbye to the franchise they’ve loved for decades, San Diego Chargers chairman Dean Spanos announced to his employees that the team is moving to Los Angeles, where it will join the recently relocated Rams to give the nation’s secondlargest media market two NFL teams for the first time since 1994.
Spanos told his employees Thursday morning that the team will relocate for the 2017 season. The team posted a letter Thursday on its Twitter account, which was rebranded as the Los Angeles Chargers.
“San Diego has been our home for 56 years. It will always be part of our identity, and my family and I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the support and passion our fans have shared with us over the years. But today, we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers,” Spanos said in the letter.
The move had been in the works for years, as a bitter saga failed to result in a replacement for aging Qualcomm Stadium.
While some fans supported the team, many are angry at Spanos for his scorched-earth tactics the last two years.
Joseph MacRae held a sign that read, “Alex Spanos would never leave SD! You failed us Dean.” Chargers owner Alex Spanos turned over control to son Dean years ago.
Rams make McVay youngest head coach: The Los Angeles Rams have made Sean McVay the youngest head coach in NFL history.
The Rams on Thursday hired McVay, who turns 31 years old on Jan. 24.
McVay spent the past three seasons as the Washington Redskins’ offensive coordinator.
He replaces Jeff Fisher, who was fired 13 games into the Rams’ homecoming season in Los Angeles, and interim head coach John Fassel.
Lane Kiffin was 31 years old when the Oakland Raiders hired him in January 2007.
Porter has some charges dropped: A Pennsylvania district attorney says he’ll drop all but two minor charges against Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter after reviewing video of his altercation with a bar bouncer and a police officer.
District attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. says the video evidence supports only summary citations for disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. Charges of aggravated assault involving the officer and a simple assault charge for Porter’s actions with the bouncer are among the other charges being dropped.
Porter was arrested and jailed hours after the Steelers’ playoff win against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.