The San Diego Sports Curse Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1963

The Chargers won the 1963 American Football League Championship. The AFL merged with the NFL in 1970.

Answer: Lance Alworth

Alworth played for the Chargers from 1962-1970. He was traded to Dallas after the 1970 season. He was a member of the Super Bowl VI champion team, where Dallas would go from championship losers to the nickname of "America's Team." San Diego would not make a Super Bowl until 1994, where they lost to San Francisco.

After ten years (1962-1972) with the Chargers, Hadl played for the Rams, Packers, and Oilers before retiring in 1977. Hadl wore the number 21 as a quarterback, the last to wear a number above 19 before the NFL adopted a uniform numbering system in 1973.

Lowe played with the Chargers from 1960 to 1968 before retiring in 1969 after a year with Kansas City. Lincoln played with the Chargers and Bills during his eight year AFL career (1961-1969).

Answer: 8th

The San Diego Chargers defeated the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. Eighteen months later, the AFC champions lost David Griggs to a June 1995 car accident. Running back Rodney Culver died in the ValuJet Flight 592 crash on May 11, 1996. On July 1998, linebacker Doug Miller was struck by lightning twice. Center Curtis Whitley died of a drug overdose in May 2008. Five months later, defensive end Chris Mims died from a heart attack. 2011 saw the deaths of defensive tackle Shawn Lee and linebacker Lew Bush to cardiac arrest. On May 2, 2012, Junior Seau died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Answer: Ryan Leaf

The Colts drafted quarterback Peyton Manning first overall and he would win four MVP awards (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009) and a Super Bowl MVP honor (2005) with the Colts before signing with Denver in 2012. Leaf was drafted second and he would wash out of the league after four years, 14 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions.

Answer: 1990

Werner bought the team and infamously invited comedian Roseanne Barr to sing the national anthem during the 1992 All-Star game. He also involved the team in many 'fire sales', where he traded veteran players for those with little major league experience. Werner sold the team in 1994. He would later be co-owner of the Boston Red Sox, which earned championships in 2004 and 2007.

Among the players Werner traded: Tony Fernandez, 13-game winner Craig Lefferts, All-Star shortstop Tony Fernandez, and All-Star first baseman Fred McGriff. Three future players he did not sign were Troy Glaus, Derrek Lee, and Todd Helton.

Answer: True

The San Diego Padres drafted Matt Bush over picthers Justin Verlander (Detroit), Philip Humber (Chicago White Sox), Jered Weaver (LA Angels), and Jeff Niemann (Tampa Bay). Bush is considered a bust after his numerous legal problems prevented him from going to the majors. In 2010, he signed a minor league contract with Tampa Bay. Two years later, he was charged with a DUI hit and run. During his first eight professional seasons, he did not play at the major league level.

2004 was the fifth time the San Diego Padres had the number one pick since its formation in 1969. The other four were: Catcher Mike Ivie in 1970, third baseman Dave Roberts in 1972, shortstop Bill Almon in 1974, and pitcher Andy Benes in 1988.

Answer: Tino Martinez

The San Diego Padres were swept in four games for the second World Series loss; they also lost in 1984 to the Detroit Tigers. Series MVP Scott Brosius also played a role after Trevor Hoffman gave up a three-run home run to Brosius.

Answer: 1973

The Conquistadors signed Chamberlain as a player-coach, but the Los Angeles Lakers sued to prevent him from playing, as he still had an option year on his contract. The Conquistadors were 37-47 and Chamberlain retired from basketball after the season.

San Diego also hosted the Rockets from 1967 to 1971. The team moved to Houston and would win NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995. From 1978 to 1984, San Diego had the Clippers, a team known for its constant mediocrity, losing seasons, and draft failures.

Answer: University of Miami

Trakas missed three field goals in the fourth quarter against the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes as the Aztecs lost 30-28. The Aztecs lost bowl games in 1991 and 1998 before beating Navy 35-14 in the 2010 Pointsettia Bowl.

Answer: 10

The Sockers won two NASL titles in 1982 and 1984. Their other eight titles came from the MISL: 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1988 to 1992. The minor league West Coast Hockey League saw the San Diego Gulls win titles in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, and 2003. San Diego County can claim two Little League World Series champions: Fletcher Hills from El Cajon in 1961 and Chula Vista's Park View team in 2009.