Chargers

Row 1: 1960
Row 2: 1961-65/67-73
Row 3: 1966
Row 4: 1974-87
Row 5: 1988-2006
Row 6: 2007-19
Row 7: 2020

1960-73 Era

1960

The Chargers only wore this helmet in 1960. The blue bolt with the yellow outline would not be worn again until 60 years later, in 2020. Riddell did not make a factory version of this helmet. The helmet in the photos is a custom.

1961-65/67-73

The Chargers changed the bolt and number style in 1960. This style helmet was in the Throwback Series 2, AFL 50th Anniversary Throwback, and Throwback AFC 1969 2-bar set. The actual Charger helmets from this era had player numbers on the helmets. The Series 2 and AFL 50th Anniversary helmets do not have player numbers. I added the numbers to the helmets in the photos below.

This style helmet was worn by the Chargers as a throwback in some games in 2000, 2002-06, and 2009.

In 1963, the Chargers helmet had an “All American City” decal on the front of the helmet. This was not officially made by Riddell. The photo below is a custom.

After 1974, the yellow bolt with the dark blue outline would not be worn again until 2016 as a color rush alternate.

1966

This one-season helmet (1966) is included in the Throwback Series 1 and Throwback 2-bar sets. Player numbers were included on the actual helmets, but not the pocket helmets. The helmet with the numbers in the photo below is a custom.

1974-2006 Era

The Chargers overhauled the helmet in 1974. The color was changed to blue with a yellow facemask and yellow bolt with blue and white outline. Riddell did not manufacture a pocket pro for this era’s Chargers helmet. The photo below is a custom by Mr. Ramirez 44

In 2006, The chargers reversed the yellow and white in the bolt changed the facemask color to dark blue. This helmet was included in the traditional, revolution and chrome pocket pro sets.

Custom helmet by Mr. Ramirez 44

2007-2019 Era

The chargers wore three several different styles during this era:

  • 2007-19: White helmet, blue facemask, yellow bolt with light & dark blue outline – revolution and speed styles. The chargers wore this helmet for only one game in 2019. This helmet is in the back row in the photos below.
  • 2016-19 alternate: White helmet, yellow facemask, yellow bolt with dark blue outline. 1 game in 2019 – custom only
  • 2019: White helmet, yellow facemask, yellow bolt with light & dark blue outline – 14 games in 2019 – speed

I purchased the 2016-19 alternate eBay from travistomark, who does really nice work.

2020-present era

The chargers transitioned to three different helmet styles in 2020. Riddell only made a factory version of one of them, and it does not include the player number logo. The helmet in the first row in the photos below is the factory helmet. The other helmets are customs.

L.A. Chargers Pocket Helmet Checklist

  • 1960: White helmet, blue bolt with yellow outline, blue player number with yellow outline
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 1961-65/67-73 (as throwback in 2000, 2002-06 & 2009): White helmet, yellow bolt with blue outline, blue player number
    • Throwback 1969 AFC 2-bar (“69” on helmet)
    • Throwback Series 2 – no player # on helmet / Throwback AFL 50th Anniversary – no player # on helmet
  • 1963: White helmet, yellow bolt with blue outline, blue player number, All-American city decal on front of helmet
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 1966: White helmet, plain blue bolt, blue player number
    • Throwback Series 1 – no player # on helmet
    • Throwback 2-bar – no player # on helmet
  • 1974-87: Blue helmet, yellow bolt with white and blue outline, yellow facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 1988-2006: Blue helmet, white bolt with blue and yellow outline, blue facemask
  • 2007-2019: White helmet, yellow bolt with light blue and dark blue outline, blue facemask
  • 2016-19 (color rush alternate): White helmet, yellow bolt with dark blue outline, yellow facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet
    • This helmet is identical to one of the new 2020 helmets, but does not include a player number
  • 2019: White helmet, yellow bolt with light blue and dark blue outline, yellow facemask
  • 2020-present: White helmet, yellow bolt with light blue outline, player # on helmet, yellow facemask. There is no player # on helmet on the factory pocket helmets.
  • 2020-present: White helmet, yellow bolt with dark blue outline, player # on helmet, yellow facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 2020-present: White helmet, blue bolt with yellow outline, player # on helmet, dark blue facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet

References

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