AILEEN: I left the NFL completely after the Chargers relocated Carlsbad resident Aileen Burns, a former San Diego Chargers season-ticket holder, left the NFL completely after the Chargers relocated to Los Angeles.
“All we got is an e-mail from Dean Spanos,” she said. “It felt like a cheap excuse. We didn’t get anything for our years of and dedication. Just that level of disrespect and disconnect … I decided that I’m not going to follow the NFL anymore. They aren’t going to get any more of my money or my emotions. I cut ties completely.
“There is life after the NFL.”
Acee: Chargers fans a jumble of emotions »
GINO: “I tried to quit the Chargers, but couldn’t completely”======
Coming Sunday
More stories on the Chargers’ move, one year later:
- Impact on tourism and local businesses
- Impact on the city budget
- Karla Peterson column on how San Diego survived a year without the Chargers
- Results of a Survey USA poll on whether local fans are still rooting for the Chargers
- Video on how San Diego has coped without the team
======
Mission Hills resident Gino Suarez has been a fan of the San Diego Chargers his entire life and made it a habit to go to home and away games every year. He tried to quit the team after they relocated to Los Angeles, but couldn’t completely. Suarez continues to go to away games and refuses to go to the StubHub Center.
“I still hate the Spanos family, though. The way the team left was incredibly disgusting,” he said. “Being a fan now is exhausting. I’m stuck in the middle between hating Dean Spanos but loving the Chargers.”
LOUIS: It’s Chargers first, San Diego second for me Point Loma resident Louis Canedo remained a fan through relocation. He said he is “team first, city second” when it comes to loyalty.
“When I say I’m a Chargers fan, that’s it. I don’t care if they play in San Diego, or Los Angeles, or the moon,” he said.
Canedo said he understands the hurt San Diegans feel, but doesn’t understand the hate-watching or jumping to other teams.
“The true fans back the team,” he said.
TRAVIS: I will forever be angry at the ownership of the ChargersSan Carlos resident Travis Harness still feels angry about the Chargers’ relocation to Los Angeles.
“I will never forgive them for turning their back on our community. That they’re completely forgetting where they come from is entirely disrespectful to me.
He continues to watch the NFL, but no longer watches the Chargers because it’s too painful, he said.
“I don’t want the team to succeed in Los Angeles.”
