san diego chargers horse knight mascot

If you haven’t figured it out already, I really like the old AFL.  The way the original eight owners challenged the NFL, and fought for legitimacy is inspirational.  I find the individual teams’ rags-to-riches stories particularly interesting, and the many of the players have absolutely fascinating tales of their own.

If I happened to need just one more reason to like the AFL, I could find it in the Charger Horse mascot.  I can only imagine how cool it must have been to see a knight in armor, hoisting a jousting sword, and sprinting down up and down the sidelines of Balboa Stadium on a white horse.  It must have been a sight to behold.  Combined with the beautiful Chargers jerseys, the green grass of the field and the old architecture of the stadium, a San Diego home game must have been a real event.

Something like this would never happen in today’s NFL.  I am sure the insurance companies would frown upon it, and rightfully so, as someone would undoubtedly get trampled under hoof, or gouged by a lance.  But the AFL pulled it off.  Too cool!