Mike McCoy firing adds to San Diego Chargers' uncertainty Published: Jan 01, 2017 at 04:40 PM Tavon Young Jersey Around The NFL Podcast Co-Host SAN DIEGO -- "Stand by Me" played over the stadium loudspeakers while the remaining diehard fans, decked out in Seau and Tomlinson jerseys, cheered on their players, po sibly for the last time. At least, until Mike McCoy jogged by. Mercile s boos greeted McCoy as he went under the tunnel to the home locker room following the . Fifteen minutes later, McCoy started his pre s conference by thanking fans. Thirty minutes after that, the . Sundays can be brutal busine s, something fans know all too well. This was the second straight home finale that served as an awkward potential goodbye. The departure of McCoy creates one more uncertainty for the most uncertain organization in the NFL. No one knows next season or who is going to lead it. "I remember walking out of here last year crying my eyes out, thinking it was the last game. This year, I think we're convinced. We've accepted it," season-ticket holder Terry Montello said. She has had season tickets since 1994, and her brother George has been coming since he went to Balboa Chris Wormley Jersey Stadium in 1962. He once sold newspapers outside of games. Eventually, it became part of his life and his family's traditions. "Both my sisters played in Ozzie's Marching Charger band," George Montello said of the team's old marching band. "One was a majorette. My grandmother went to games. I've been a Charger fan my whole life. Even when they went 1-15, I went to every game." Nearby, Montello's friend Sean Copeland said wryly that it was the "best 1-15 team" he's ever seen. "They battled every game, unlike this year, where they just give games away," he said. Sunday's tailgate turnout was relatively light compared to most weeks, the veterans said. The lack of clarity about the ' future and their 9-23 record the last two years has weeded out all but the diehards. "Our group used to be a lot bigger than we are now. But we're still here," George Montello said. "My wife has only come to one in two years. It's hard being a fan. ... People know I'm a fan at work and they ask: Why are you going to the game? You still support them? Why do you even bother?" Still, the thousands in the parking lot before the game were having a great time. They knew their neighbors. They had elaborate tailgate setups with tents, grills and copious televisions stacked like a good sports bar. The air around Qualcomm was a feast for the senses: barbecue, marijuana smoke, '90s rap and games of cornhole. "If they leave, it's going to suck," Tyler Ciota, 30, said. "It's going to be hard to root for the L.A. . It won't be the same." Ciota started Joe Flacco Jersey coming to the games as a kid with his dad. He remembers his entire neighborhood running into the streets to celebrate the team's AFC title after the 1994 season. Dave Ciota, 62, said he first came to a game when he was dropped off at Balboa Stadium in 1962 as a 7-year-old with his cousin. It's hard to imagine today's helicopter parents doing that, but a lifelong obse sion was born for Ciota, who now drives 60 miles from Temecula for each game. "I'm not going to be a season-ticket holder after this season," the elder Ciota said, before admitting that a new stadium solution could change his mind. Many fans swore they would not follow the team elsewhere. Terry Montello said her group will pick a new team to follow if the leave. There was plenty of anger at ownership throughout the stadium for po sibly ending these Sunday habits for good. Finding out the might leave was like "Finding out Santa Claus didn't exist," according Jaylon Ferguson Jersey to Sally Morgan, a season-ticket holder since 1994 who moved to San Diego from South Dakota. Many residents feared what would become of their town. "It would be terrible for San Diego," the elder Ciota said. "It would be another podunk town." "I don't think the city is going to realize how bad it will be until it happens," season-ticket holder Bob Mica said. Fans were already trying to think of life without the . "It will save me $5,000 per year. I'm going to buy a boat!" Montello cracked. The lack of clarity hurts the fan base and the product on the field. Before the team finds a replacement for McCoy, doesn't it need clarity on where the franchise is headed? The next coach will have to try to repair a fractured relationship with its fans, if the team stays in San Diego. fans get a bum rap because of the empty seats at Qualcomm Stadium and the occasional takeovers by visiting teams. I'd argue fans have stood by the team through a lot of hard times, without much to show for it. "We have supported them," Morgan said, a season-ticket holder since Michael Pierce Jersey 1994. "The town has supported them, and we didn't have much to support for most years. And now they are going to ."* This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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