The Chargers' First Great QB, John Hadl, Dead At Age 82 - RIP Sir

[Fleet 1]

Dang tough day. Couple of deaths today that sting personally.

[21&500]

RIP Mr. Hadl

[21&500]

Hadl was very good. When we discuss our best QB's we often leave him out but we shouldn't, he was just as successful as Dan, Stan, and Philip. He was a great all-around guy. He played Halfback as well as QB at Kansas. He hated the raiders and played fiercely against them. John was a favorite of mine. I hope he made it to heaven.

Fitting considering it's raider week.

[SBbound]

Hadl was very good. When we discuss our best QB's we often leave him out but we shouldn't, he was just as successful as Dan, Stan, and Philip. He was a great all-around guy. He played Halfback as well as QB at Kansas. He hated the raiders and played fiercely against them. John was a favorite of mine. I hope he made it to heaven.

I'm sure he did.

By all accounts he was a really good guy.

[dmac_bolt]

We won the 1963 AFL championship with Hadl. At the time the Bills and Oilers were the teams to beat. KC and Oak caught up in 1965 and thereafter.



o

I thought Jack Kemp (mr laffer curve guru/you’re not JFK fame) was QB for the AFLC team?

[Air Coryell]

We won the 1963 AFL championship with Hadl. At the time the Bills and Oilers were the teams to beat. KC and Oak caught up in 1965 and thereafter.









o

Tobin Rote was the starting QB in 1963

[Air Coryell]

I thought Jack Kemp (mr laffer curve guru/you’re not JFK fame) was QB for the AFLC team?

Kemp was picked up in 1962 by the Bills. I think we tried to sneak him through waivers.

[dmac_bolt]

I was still a kid as Hadl wound down his career - too young for his best years, I became aware at a later point near the end (just before the laughable Johnny U saga) when the Chargers were a shitty team and he was getting the shit beat out of him with regularity every game.

But my image of him remains vivid - he was a bad ass gunslinger, not afraid of nothing or no one. He had a great arm and more courage than Fouts, which is a compliment and no knock on Dan. JH was a baller thru and thru, I agree he was our first great QB 100%

RIP, may his family be comforted by the eternal love felt for their warrior.

[cmplxgal]

I remember being a little surprised when I realized that he wasn't in the Hall of Fame, but when I checked his career stats I could see that I was looking at him with my Charger fan eyes. He was very good, but not Hall of Fame level. But that passing attack ...

Edit: He is in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Chargers Hall of Fame:

https://www.kshb.com/sports/college-sports/ku/former-hall-of-fame-jayhawks-quarterback-john-hadl-dies-team-announces

[cmplxgal]

Dang tough day. Couple of deaths today that sting personally.

Christine McVie really hurt. I was fortunate enough to see her perform with Fleetwood Mac a few years ago.

[chargeroo]

I remember being a little surprised when I realized that he wasn't in the Hall of Fame, but when I checked his career stats I could see that I was looking at him with my Charger fan eyes. He was very good, but not Hall of Fame level. But that passing attack ...

Edit: He is in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Chargers Hall of Fame:

https://www.kshb.com/sports/college-...team-announces

The way the defense was allowed to manhandle the receivers back then made it difficult to have great numbers. Joe Namath said Hadl was the best QB in the league.

[chargeroo]

Kemp was picked up in 1962 by the Bills. I think we tried to sneak him through waivers.

Kemp was the first QB of the Chargers. He had an injury and Sid Gilman thought he could put him on IR until he was ready to play again. Sid misunderstood the rules and the Bills claimed him. Sid was livid but it was too late.

Then they lured Tobin Rote out of retirement to replace Kemp. Tobin told Sid he'd only play one year so they drafted Hadl. Tobin lead them to their only championship, the next year Hadl stepped in. That's how I remember it.