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Louie Kelcher |
11.09.03 - Defensive tackle Louie Kelcher was officially inducted as the 31st member of t the Chargers Hall of Fame at halftime of Sunday’s game.
Kelcher was serenaded with a chorus of “Looooo” by the appreciative fans, many of whom have been season ticket holders since Kelcher’s playing days from 1975-83.
Kelcher was flanked by more than 40 Chargers alumni, including many of his former teammates, and was introduced by his close friend and quarterback Dan Fouts, also a member of the team’s Hall of Fame.
“There are a lot of great players on this field right now, but to a man, there is no one more respected and loved than Big Louie,” said Fouts, who took a moment to honor and recognize all the fire fighters, police officers, and victims of the recent fires in San Diego. “There was no one who meant more to our football community than Louie. I’m honored, humbled and just plain happy as hell to introduce my good friend Louie Kelcher as the 31st member of the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame.”
“Hello San Diego, I’m back,” shouted Kelcher, while hosting his Chargers Hall of Fame trophy, which was sculpted by fellow teammate Ed White. “It’s great to be back in the greatest sports town in football today and with the greatest fans a guy could ever play for. This is for my teammates, the San Diego Chargers organization and for the greatest football fans that I could have ever loved in my life; you guys, San Diego. Thank you.”
After his speech, the banner bearing Kelcher’s name was unfurled on the stadium’s press level, where it will remain forever in its rightful place next to the 30 other members of the Chargers Hall of Fame.