



Here he takes down Bill Munson of the Rams.

Won an AFL Championship in 1963 when the Chargers beat the Boston Patriots 51-10.

Played the last 2 seasons of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Big Cat - From Grambling he played 5 seasons with the Chargers. 3 time AFL All-League and 4 times AFL All-Star.

The Oakland Raiders sporting their black uniforms in 1962. Legendary All-AFL Center Jim Otto (#00) leads the way for runner Bo Roberson (#40). Other Raiders pictured are longtime lineman Wayne Hawkins (#65) and Dan Ficca (#69). The tangled-up Charger is none other than the great Ernie Ladd (#77).

The listed starting defensive line of the 1966 Houston Oilers - Don Floyd (#75), Ernie Ladd (#99), Pat Holmes (#79) & Gary Cutsinger (#80). Cutsinger is credited with leading the 66 Oilers with 5 sacks. Unfortunately the Oilers defense was one of the AFL's worst and ranked near the bottom in 1966. Greatly improved by 1967 though only Holmes remained a year later. He was named to the AFL All Stars. Ladd meanwhile would end up in Kansas City.

Big Ernie Ladd (#77) puts some heat on Buffalo Bills Quarterback Jack Kemp.

6-foot 9-inch 300 pound Ernie Ladd (#77) takes down an unfortunate runner.

Early AFL action in 1962 - San Diego Chargers legends Ernie Ladd (#77) and Earl Faison (#86) put the stop on Broncos runner Gene Mingo (#21). Both Ladd and Fiason were AFL All Stars in 1962.

The Big Cat Strikes! Ernie Ladd & Bill Hudson bring down Texans quarterback Cotton Davidson in early AFL action

Early AFL action between San Diego and Boston - Ernie Ladd (#77) and Earl Faison (#86) of the Chargers close in on Boston runner Ron Burton (#22).

Ernie Ladd, 6-foot 9-inches and 290 pounds. Out of Grambling he played 8 seasons in the AFL starting with the Chargers and ending up with the Chiefs. Injuries led to his retirement after 1968 after which he enjoyed a very successful career in Professional Wrestling.