Jan. 5, 1964 - Sid Gillman’s juiced-up Chargers all but chased the Boston Patriots out of Balboa Stadium in San Diego today to win the championship of the American Football League with an incredible 51-10 blitz before 30,127 howling fans. The third time was the charm for the versatile squad which lost title bids after copping divisional crowns in 1960 and 1961. The wily Gillman poured it to the Patriots with a devastating ground attack led by the pride of Monrovia, Calif., 207-pound Keith Lincoln (pictured #22), who was the nearest thing to a one-man gang San Diego fans will see for many moons. The one-time Washington State fullback exploded all over the sunbaked field while running for 206 yards and catching six passes for a grand total of 329 yards. He scored two touchdowns.
The jubilant Gillman could hardly contain himself in the jam-packed Charger dressing room after the lopsided victory. “I said it before, and I guess people can understand me better now,” said the one-time Ram coach. “Keith Lincoln can do more things than any player I ever coached. He was just magnificent today; just magnificent. So were a lot of other people. This team has great desire, and I am very happy for them. I can’t say it myself, but people keep telling me it was one of the greatest games they ever saw, so I’m happy to have been part of it.”
The talented champions scored from every angle while the “Fearsome Foursome” chewed up Boston runners as if they were children. A long pass set up the lone Patriot touchdown. “We expected a much harder game,” said Lincoln afterward. “The offensive blocking was the best we’ve had this year. We set up their linebackers to the outside to get better blocking angles up the middle. I expected that perhaps Gino Cappelletti’s field goals would play a determining factor. That’s how close we thought it would be. This was the best day I ever had. I’ll remember it above all.” Mike Holovak, Boston coach, was completely stunned: “You have to give credit to the Chargers. They were better prepared, played better, and just out-hit us.”
Comments