For the first time in a while, San Diego Chargers fans breathed a sigh of relief when news broke Friday that the team would return to San Diego in 2016 and hopefully in the long-term.
“Obviously I’m fired up, as I know the guys will be in that building,” Philip Rivers said to Chargers.com. “Hopefully the fans are as fired up as we are. We get at least one more go out at Qualcomm and in San Diego. It is exciting news, so I am fired up.”
Rivers had expressed concerns about having to move his family to Los Angeles and was clearly excited that he gets to keep his home base in San Diego for at least next season.
Younger members of the team, wide receiver Keenan Allen and Melvin Ingram, took to Twitter to express their feelings on the team moving, however they were not as well received.
Staying in San Diego 4 another year..Every home game better be sold out..Charger blue everywhere Fans got what they wanted Now come support
— Melvin Ingram (@MelvinIngram) January 30, 2016
So it’s looks like we are going to be in San Diego for another season. The stadium better be packed. The fans got what they wanted. — Keenan Allen (@Keenan13Allen) January 30, 2016
Going through the responses to those Tweets, one can clearly see fans were not pleased with the blunt reaction to the news of the team staying, seemingly calling out the fans.
Both players back-tracked from their original comments and sent out different sounding messages in an attempt to apologize.
Those last messages weren’t shots at the fans. It was me keeping it real with what needs to happen in OUR stadium!
— Keenan Allen (@Keenan13Allen) January 30, 2016
I would never questioned the fans commitment I kno there committed… My last tweet was saying now let’s sell out every home game….
— Melvin Ingram (@MelvinIngram) January 30, 2016
And make 2016 a special season there’s no place like San Diego and I’m glad to still be here… #SanDiegoChargers4life
— Melvin Ingram (@MelvinIngram) January 30, 2016
