Men on a mission

Sporting News, The, Oct 17, 1994 by Bob Nightengale

And, to think, the man almost left town 10 months ago, with coach in close pursuit.

Beathard was angered by everything from Owner Alex Spanos' unwillingness to sign the team's own marquee free agents to his emotional outbursts during games to his failure to upgrade the team's practice facilities.

Beathard actually resigned January 7 but never submitted a letter or resignation. And if he left, Ross says he likely would have been heading out of town, too.

"It was just an accumulation of things," Beathard now says. "It was probably more a lack of communication than anything. I never wanted to be in a position where we'd like to win but couldn't because we're handicapped."

The team is littered with castoffs, young players, and handful of stars. Why, with the exception of linebacker Junior Seau and Humphries, there's not a single Charger who's easily recognizable. It's a no-name team whose trait is guts and courage.

There's Means, who suffered bruised ribs in the fourth quarter but refused to leave the game. "I want the ball every time they send in a play," he says.

There's tackle Reuben Davis, who's playing with a dislocated elbow an actually shooed off the trainers from tending to him in the fourth quarter when he sprained his knee. "I'm not trying to be a hero, it's just part of the game. I wasn't going to let them take me out."

And then, there's receiver Mark Seay, who led the Chargers with six receptions and a touchdown.

Seay has gone from a Long Beach State receiver to an innocent gang target to a national hero. He is playing with one kidney and a bullet that remains lodged in his chest. It is the remnants of the night bullets were shot into his sister's home, and he dove to cover 3-year-old niece Tashawnda.

Tashawnda and Seay survived; the kidney did not.

"It's a gift from God that I'm here today," Seay says.

"America should love this guy," receivers coach Jerry Sullivan says. "We've got people running around shooting each other. People are looking for role models. Here is a great, American success story."

Yes, it's all right here in this sleepy town, the team that America is just beginning to discover.

"It's nice to be 5-0, but I don't think we can get too excited," Ross says. "I enjoy it, but I'm sure not going to dwell on it.

"This just means the worst we can be is 5-11."