Forty-four years ago, a Tiger legend walked off the field at then Grambling College and entered the world of professional football with the Houston Oilers.
Now, Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner has finished his last chapter in the National Football League as the San Diego Chargers’ wide receivers coach after announcing his retirement from the game Jan. 22.
“Retirement is kind of tough, especially after all the years I’ve spent in the NFL,” said Joiner. “It’s time in my life that at 65, I should be doing something else.”
After being traded from the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975, Joiner devoted 21 years of his career to the Chargers, 11 as a player and 10 as a coach.
Before he turned in his cleats, Joiner compiled 750 catches for 12,146 yards and averaged 16.2 yards per catches while in professional football. At the time of his retirement in 1986, Joiner had the most receptions, yards and games played by a wide receiver in NFL history.
During his collegiate career, Joiner earned three All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors and received the Little Rose Bowl Outstanding Offensive Player Award in 1968.
According to thedesirereport.com, his record at Grambling was 31-9-1, including the 9-1 season in 1967 that resulted in a black college national championship.
“Beating the man, that’s where he excelled,” the late, legendary coach Eddie Robinson once said of Joiner, noting that he strived for success at Grambling on and off the field.
Standing at 5-feet-11-inches, Joiner was also one of the key ingredients in the Chargers’ “Air Coryell” offense. In the 1982 American Football Conference playoff game, “The Epic in Miami,” he was a key player in the Changers’ (41-38) overtime victory against the Miami Dolphins.
“I am very proud of what I did,” said Joiner. “I just wanted to leave a legacy for my family to remember and something for the grandkids or great-grandkid to talk about.”
Now that he is retired, Joiner plans to spend time at home with his wife, Dianne, and sees a possible vacation overseas in the near future.
“My wife has always wanted to take me to Europe, I’ve never been to Europe… I’m not a Europe fan, but I will do something like that.”
Throughout all of his accomplishments, Joiner still remains humble with his greatest achievement not being football related.
“One thing that I had set for myself at Grambling that I achieved was graduating with a degree,” said Joiner. “My parents wanted that so badly and I wanted to make that happen and I did.”
Forty-four years ago, a Tiger legend walked off the field at then Grambling College and entered the world of professional football with the Houston Oilers.
Now, Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner has finished his last chapter in the National Football League as the San Diego Chargers’ wide receivers coach after announcing his retirement from the game Jan. 22.
“Retirement is kind of tough, especially after all the years I’ve spent in the NFL,” said Joiner. “It’s time in my life that at 65, I should be doing something else.”
After being traded from the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975, Joiner devoted 21 years of his career to the Chargers, 11 as a player and 10 as a coach.
Before he turned in his cleats, Joiner compiled 750 catches for 12,146 yards and averaged 16.2 yards per catches while in professional football. At the time of his retirement in 1986, Joiner had the most receptions, yards and games played by a wide receiver in NFL history.
During his collegiate career, Joiner earned three All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors and received the Little Rose Bowl Outstanding Offensive Player Award in 1968.
According to thedesirereport.com, his record at Grambling was 31-9-1, including the 9-1 season in 1967 that resulted in a black college national championship.
“Beating the man, that’s where he excelled,” the late, legendary coach Eddie Robinson once said of Joiner, noting that he strived for success at Grambling on and off the field.
Standing at 5-feet-11-inches, Joiner was also one of the key ingredients in the Chargers’ “Air Coryell” offense. In the 1982 American Football Conference playoff game, “The Epic in Miami,” he was a key player in the Changers’ (41-38) overtime victory against the Miami Dolphins.
“I am very proud of what I did,” said Joiner. “I just wanted to leave a legacy for my family to remember and something for the grandkids or great-grandkid to talk about.”
Now that he is retired, Joiner plans to spend time at home with his wife, Dianne, and sees a possible vacation overseas in the near future.
“My wife has always wanted to take me to Europe, I’ve never been to Europe… I’m not a Europe fan, but I will do something like that.”
Throughout all of his accomplishments, Joiner still remains humble with his greatest achievement not being football related.
“One thing that I had set for myself at Grambling that I achieved was graduating with a degree,” said Joiner. “My parents wanted that so badly and I wanted to make that happen and I did.”
Forty-four years ago, a Tiger legend walked off the field at then Grambling College and entered the world of professional football with the Houston Oilers.
Now, Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner has finished his last chapter in the National Football League as the San Diego Chargers’ wide receivers coach after announcing his retirement from the game Jan. 22.
“Retirement is kind of tough, especially after all the years I’ve spent in the NFL,” said Joiner. “It’s time in my life that at 65, I should be doing something else.”
After being traded from the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975, Joiner devoted 21 years of his career to the Chargers, 11 as a player and 10 as a coach.
Before he turned in his cleats, Joiner compiled 750 catches for 12,146 yards and averaged 16.2 yards per catches while in professional football. At the time of his retirement in 1986, Joiner had the most receptions, yards and games played by a wide receiver in NFL history.
During his collegiate career, Joiner earned three All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors and received the Little Rose Bowl Outstanding Offensive Player Award in 1968.
According to thedesirereport.com, his record at Grambling was 31-9-1, including the 9-1 season in 1967 that resulted in a black college national championship.
“Beating the man, that’s where he excelled,” the late, legendary coach Eddie Robinson once said of Joiner, noting that he strived for success at Grambling on and off the field.
Standing at 5-feet-11-inches, Joiner was also one of the key ingredients in the Chargers’ “Air Coryell” offense. In the 1982 American Football Conference playoff game, “The Epic in Miami,” he was a key player in the Changers’ (41-38) overtime victory against the Miami Dolphins.
“I am very proud of what I did,” said Joiner. “I just wanted to leave a legacy for my family to remember and something for the grandkids or great-grandkid to talk about.”
Now that he is retired, Joiner plans to spend time at home with his wife, Dianne, and sees a possible vacation overseas in the near future.
“My wife has always wanted to take me to Europe, I’ve never been to Europe… I’m not a Europe fan, but I will do something like that.”
Throughout all of his accomplishments, Joiner still remains humble with his greatest achievement not being football related.
“One thing that I had set for myself at Grambling that I achieved was graduating with a degree,” said Joiner. “My parents wanted that so badly and I wanted to make that happen and I did.”