Charlie Joiner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Charlie Joiner

Joiner with the San Diego Chargers c. 1982
No. 40, 18
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1947-10-14) October 14, 1947 (age 77) Many, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school:	W. O. Boston (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
College:	Grambling
NFL Draft:	1969 / Round: 4 / Pick: 93
Career history
As player:
Houston Oilers (1969–1972) Cincinnati Bengals (1972) San Diego Chargers (1976)
As coach:
San Diego Chargers (1987) Wide receivers coach Buffalo Bills (1992) Wide receivers coach Kansas City Chiefs (2001) Wide receivers coach San Diego Chargers (2008) Wide receivers coach
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Pro (1980) Second-team All-Pro (1976) 3× Pro Bowl (1976, 1979, 1980) Los Angeles Chargers No. 18 retired Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame 3× First-team All-SWAC (1966–1968)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 750 Receiving yards: 12,146 Receiving touchdowns: 65
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Charles "Charlie" Joiner Jr. (born October 14, 1947) is a famous American former professional football player. He was a wide receiver who played for 18 seasons in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). Joiner spent 11 seasons with the San Diego Chargers. During his time there, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. In 1980, he was named a first-team All-Pro player. Charlie Joiner was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

He played college football for the Grambling Tigers. He was a top player, earning first-team all-conference honors three times. The Houston Oilers drafted him in 1969 as a defensive back. However, he soon moved back to wide receiver. Joiner played for the Oilers and the Cincinnati Bengals before joining the Chargers. He had some injuries early in his career.

In 1976, Joiner was traded to the Chargers. His career really took off when coach Don Coryell brought in his "Air Coryell" passing offense. From 1979 to 1981, Joiner had three seasons where he gained over 1,000 receiving yards. He also made two more Pro Bowls during this time. When he retired, he held NFL records for most career catches, receiving yards, and games played by a wide receiver. After playing, Joiner became a wide receivers coach for 26 years. He retired from coaching in 2012.

Early Life and High School Football

Charlie Joiner Jr. was born on October 14, 1947, in Many, Louisiana. He grew up in a family that didn't have a lot of money. His dad, Charlie Sr., worked as a truck driver. Charlie went to W. O. Boston High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

He didn't start playing football until his junior year. Before that, he preferred baseball. But once he started, he was amazing! He became an all-state receiver and also played defensive back. In his senior year, he scored 110 points, which was the most in his area. Charlie also played high school basketball and was a champion javelin thrower.

College Career at Grambling

Charlie's parents couldn't afford to send him to college. But his high school coach told him that football could help him get a scholarship. He earned a spot at Grambling College, which is now Grambling State University. There, he played for the famous coach Eddie Robinson and the Tigers.

A future NFL quarterback, James Harris, was the Tigers' main quarterback during Charlie's four years. Every year, the team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship.

As a freshman, Charlie played both offense and defense. In his sophomore year, he became a star receiver. He caught 34 passes for 822 yards and 9 touchdowns. His teammates even voted him the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He continued to be a key player in the passing game. As a senior, he set a Grambling record with 42 catches for 733 yards and 8 touchdowns. He scored two more touchdowns in his last college game, the 1968 Pasadena Bowl. Charlie was chosen as a first-team All-SWAC player three times (1966–1968). He finished his college career with 2,066 receiving yards.

Charlie later said that Coach Robinson was a huge inspiration. Robinson also pushed him to finish his college degree in accountancy. In 2013, Charlie Joiner was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Professional Playing Career

Houston Oilers (1969–1972)

Charlie Joiner graduated from Grambling in 1969. The American Football League's Houston Oilers picked him in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. He was the 93rd player chosen overall. The Oilers wanted him to play defensive back. But his college coach, Eddie Robinson, argued that Charlie was a great receiver. Charlie himself thought he would play for a few years, get his NFL pension, and then start another career.

Joiner with the Houston Oilers c. 1971

The Oilers decided to let Charlie play both offense and defense as a rookie. He was their fourth wide receiver for the 1969 season. His rookie season ended early due to an injury. He broke his right arm after catching a pass in a game against the Denver Broncos.

In 1970, the Oilers joined the NFL as part of the AFL–NFL merger. Charlie had another injury, breaking his arm in a preseason game. He missed the first five regular season games. When he returned, he caught 5 passes for 100 yards and scored his first professional touchdown. Later that season, he scored two touchdowns in one game against the Cincinnati Bengals. One of those was an 87-yard touchdown catch, his longest ever.

Before the 1971 season, the Oilers traded their starting wide receiver. This moved Charlie up in the team's lineup. Even though the Oilers struggled, their passing game was strong. Charlie led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Six games into the 1972 season, Houston traded Charlie to Cincinnati. He was surprised and hurt by the trade. He had been leading the Oilers in catches.

Cincinnati Bengals (1972–1975)

Charlie said he was a little scared joining a new team, but everyone with the Bengals was friendly. He found the passes from their quarterbacks easier to catch.

He didn't make a big impact in 1972, catching only eight passes in eight games. The local newspaper called him a "disappointment."

In 1973, Charlie's progress was praised by coach Bill Walsh. However, the Bengals drafted another wide receiver, Isaac Curtis, who was expected to start. Charlie suffered a knee injury in preseason. He fought hard to get back in shape, impressing his coach. He returned for a few games but broke his collar bone and was expected to miss the rest of the year.

But Charlie returned sooner than expected! He started a streak of playing in every game that lasted over 13 years. Quarterback Ken Anderson said having both Charlie and Curtis on the field made it hard for defenses. Charlie finished the season with 13 catches. The Bengals won their division and made the playoffs. However, they lost their first playoff game to the Miami Dolphins.

Charlie signed a new contract before the 1974 season. He scored his first Bengals touchdown in week 5. He shared playing time with another receiver, Chip Myers.

In 1975, Charlie had his best year yet with the Bengals. He caught 37 passes for 726 yards. In one game against Cleveland, he set a Bengals record with 200 receiving yards. The Bengals made the playoffs again as a wild card team. They lost a close game to the Oakland Raiders. Charlie scored his first postseason touchdown in that game. It was his last game as a Bengal.

San Diego Chargers (1976–1986)

On April 1, 1976, Cincinnati traded Charlie to the San Diego Chargers. He was happy to work again with Bill Walsh, who was now the Chargers' offensive coordinator. Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts was very impressed with Charlie.

Charlie became the Chargers' top receiver in 1976. He had four games in a row with over 100 receiving yards. He also had his first season with over 1,000 receiving yards. He finished the year with 50 catches for 1,056 yards. He was named second-team All-Pro. Both Charlie and the player he was traded for were named to the Pro Bowl that year! Charlie would stay with the Chargers for another decade.

Charlie thought about retiring before the 1977 season. He played with his college quarterback, James Harris, again because Dan Fouts was not playing. Charlie often faced two defenders because other receivers were injured. He finished with 35 catches, still leading the Chargers' wide receivers.

In 1978, the Chargers got a new offensive coordinator. Charlie had knee surgery in the offseason. He considered retiring again, but his coach convinced him to keep playing. Don Coryell became the Chargers' head coach mid-season. Charlie struggled with his knee and had fewer catches than in 1976.

Joiner c. 1979

The 1979 season was a turning point. Charlie became a key player in the "Air Coryell" offense, which focused heavily on passing. The Chargers also added talented tight end Kellen Winslow. The team had a great regular season, winning their first division title in 14 years. Charlie played a heroic role in the final game against the Denver Broncos. He returned to the field twice after injuries, even with stitches over his eye. He caught the game-winning touchdown. This game was later called "The Charlie Joiner Game."

Charlie finished second in the AFC with a career-high 72 catches for 1,008 yards. He was the first player his age (32) in NFL history to catch so many passes. He was named to the Pro Bowl, becoming the oldest player in the all-star game. However, the Chargers lost their playoff game to the Oilers.

Charlie thought about retiring again after the 1979 season. But he came back for 1980, hoping for "one more shot at the Super Bowl." He had a career-high 10 catches in one game. He finished the year with 71 catches for 1,132 yards. He, John Jefferson, and Kellen Winslow became the first trio of receivers on a team to each gain over 1,000 yards in the same season. All three were named first-team All-Pro.

The Chargers won their division again. Charlie's touchdown catch helped them win their first playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They then played in the AFC Championship game, where Charlie had 6 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. But they lost to the Raiders.

Before the 1981 season, Charlie again considered retiring. But he continued and became the Chargers' top wide receiver. In the first game, he caught 6 passes for 191 yards, his best with the Chargers. Quarterback Dan Fouts said he had never seen Charlie play better. Charlie finished with 70 catches, becoming the first receiver with at least 70 catches in three straight NFL seasons. He also had a career-high 1,188 receiving yards. The Chargers won their third straight division title.

In the playoffs, Charlie played a key role in the Chargers' amazing overtime win against the Miami Dolphins, known as The Epic In Miami. He caught 7 passes for 108 yards, including a big catch that set up the game-winning field goal. The Chargers reached the conference championship again. But they lost to Charlie's former team, Cincinnati, in a very cold game called the Freezer Bowl.

Charlie signed a new contract for the 1982 season. The season was shorter due to a players' strike. He didn't score any touchdowns in the regular season but had three games with over 100 yards. The Chargers made the playoffs but lost their second game. Charlie scored his only touchdown of the season in that playoff loss.

In the offseason, Charlie said his decision to play in 1983 depended on Dan Fouts signing a new contract. Fouts did sign, and Charlie returned. The Chargers had a tough season, but Charlie played every game despite cracked ribs. He caught 65 passes for 960 yards. His teammates voted him the most valuable and most inspirational Charger.

Charlie wanted to return for the 1984 season. He held out for a two-year contract, but only for six days. He entered the season needing 52 catches to break Charley Taylor's NFL record for career receptions. He started slowly, even having a game with no catches, which ended a long streak.

On November 25, 1984, Charlie passed Taylor to become the NFL's all-time leader in receptions. He broke the record with his 650th catch in a game against the Steelers. He was disappointed it happened in a loss and that Fouts didn't throw the record-breaking pass.

Joiner c. 1985

Charlie signed another one-year contract for his tenth year with the Chargers in 1985. He continued to play in every game. He broke Jackie Smith's record for most appearances at a receiving position. He finished the season with 59 catches for 932 yards and tied his career high with 7 touchdowns.

For the 1986 season, Charlie signed another one-year contract. He was only 128 receiving yards away from Don Maynard's NFL record for career receiving yards. He turned 39 during the season, making him the oldest wide receiver in NFL history.

He broke Maynard's receiving yards record in a game against the Seattle Seahawks. The game stopped briefly, and the Seattle crowd gave him a standing ovation. Charlie broke his right hand late in the season. He missed his final home game, which ended a streak of 194 straight regular season games played. He played the following week, catching 3 passes in his final game.

Charlie retired from playing after the season. He said he was 39, which was too old for a wide receiver. He was proud to finish as the NFL's all-time leader in catches and receiving yards. He was the last active player from the AFL. He finished his 18 seasons with 750 catches for 12,146 yards and 65 touchdowns. He gave a lot of credit to Coach Coryell, saying his offense helped prolong his career.

Legacy and Impact

Charlie Joiner was a great player even though he wasn't the fastest or most naturally talented receiver. He was known for being very smart and precise in his pass route running. He could change direction quickly without losing speed. Early in his time with the Bengals, he sometimes fumbled the ball, but he fixed that problem and rarely fumbled with the Chargers. He was especially good at running routes inside and making tough catches when defenders were close. As he got older, he used his experience to understand defenses better. Charlie was a quiet and humble person. His teammates voted him the Chargers' most inspirational player seven times.

Joiner c. 1986

Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh called Charlie "the most intelligent, the smartest, the most calculating receiver the game has ever known." Joe Gibbs, his offensive coordinator, said Charlie was "a totally dedicated guy who was just a great producer." Ernie Zampese, the Chargers' receiving coach, said Charlie was "the finest technician—running routes and reading coverages—in the National Football League." Bengals teammate Bob Trumpy praised Charlie's hard work, saying he caught so many balls because he worked hard in every practice. Dan Fouts, his quarterback, loved throwing to Charlie on third down. Fouts said, "Having Charlie is like having a fail-safe button."

Charlie Joiner was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him No. 100 on their list of the 100 greatest football players. In 2019, a USA Today article ranked him as the ninth-best player in Chargers history. He was also inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2013. The Chargers put Charlie in their hall of fame in 1993 and retired his No. 18 jersey in 2023.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Accomplishments and Records

Honors

• First-team Associated Press All-Pro (1980)
• Second-team Newspaper Enterprise Association All-Pro (1976)
• 3× Pro Bowl (1976, 1979, 1980)
• San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team
• Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee (1990)
• Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame inductee (1993)
• Los Angeles Chargers No. 18 retired (2023)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1996)

Los Angeles Chargers Records

The Chargers' official guide says Charlie Joiner shares two franchise records:

• Most playoff touchdowns, career: 4 (tied with Kellen Winslow, LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles)
• Most playoff receiving touchdowns, career: 4 (tied with Kellen Winslow)

Coaching Career

In 1987, the Chargers hired Charlie Joiner as an assistant coach. He worked with the wide receivers. He stayed with the Chargers until 1991, ending his 16-year time with the team as a player and coach.

He then joined the Buffalo Bills in 1992, again as a wide receiver coach. In 2001, he moved to the Kansas City Chiefs for the same role. Charlie stayed with the Chiefs for seven seasons. In 2008, he returned to the Chargers for his final coaching job. He spent five more years in San Diego. In 2012, at age 65, he announced his full retirement from football. He said football was "definitely a young man's game."

Charlie's retirement ended a 44-year professional career. He played for 18 years and coached for 26 years. Twenty-one of those years were spent with the Chargers.

Life Outside Football

After leaving the Houston Oilers, Charlie Joiner continued to live in Houston. He only moved to San Diego when he joined the Chargers' coaching staff. He has an accountancy degree from college. For ten years, he worked part-time for Gulf Oil during the football offseason. Charlie was unique because he didn't use a sports agent. His knowledge of finance allowed him to handle his own contract talks.

Charlie Joiner is married and has two daughters.

See also

• List of National Football League career receiving yards leaders