Sports
FanFest Brings Chargers Nation to Qualcomm for Preseason Preview
Autograph session follows two-hour practice as veterans and rookies entertain thousands devouring hot dogs and posing with Charger Girls.
Chargers fans stood in line outside Qualcomm Stadium for up to 2½ hours Saturday morning to get a glimpse of San Diego’s team during the annual FanFest before the first preseason game Thursday against Seattle.
More than 10,500 spectators enjoyed a two-hour practice, an autograph session for kids and $1 hot dogs. The loudest applause from the crowd was for quarterback Philip Rivers and players who re-signed recently—Vincent Jackson and Eric Weddle.
Most fans gathered in the shady seats on Plaza level and watched plays on the field and big screen as the players went through drills, special teams practice and scrimmages.
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Veterans and rookies took the field—along with the Charger Girls pep squad—on a comfortable day with general manager A.J. Smith making inspections and coaches making the rounds. Â
The Chargers host the Seattle Seahawks at 5 p.m. Thursday, followed by a game in Dallas at 5 p.m. PT on Sunday, Aug. 21, in Arizona at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, and back home against San Francisco at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1. Regular season games begin on Sunday, Sept. 11, against the Minnesota Vikings at 1:15 p.m.
