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 (1965–1968)
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 Joiner Jr. (born October 14, 1947) is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver for 18 seasons in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played most of his career with the San Diego Chargers.

During his 11 seasons with the Chargers, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. In 1980, he was named first-team All-Pro. Joiner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. He retired with NFL records for career catches and receiving yards.

Early Life and High School

Charles Joiner Jr. was born on October 14, 1947, in Many, Louisiana. He was the only child in his family. His father worked as a truck driver.

Joiner went to W. O. Boston High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He did not play football until his junior year. Before that, he preferred baseball. He became an excellent receiver and also played defensive back. In his senior year, he scored 110 points, which was the most in his area. He also played high school basketball and was a champion javelin thrower.

College Football Career

Joiner's parents could not afford college. His high school coach told him that football could help him get a scholarship. He earned a spot at Grambling College, now called Grambling State University. He played for coach Eddie Robinson's Tigers.

James Harris, who later became an NFL quarterback, was the Tigers' main quarterback during Joiner's four years. Each of those years, the team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship.

As a freshman, Joiner 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 voted him the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He continued to be a key player for the next two years. As a senior, he set a Grambling record with 42 catches for 733 yards and 8 touchdowns. He scored two more touchdowns in his final college game, the 1968 Pasadena Bowl.

Joiner was a first-team All-SWAC selection three times (1966–1968). He finished his college career with 2,066 receiving yards. He later said that Coach Robinson inspired him to finish his college degree in accountancy. In 2013, Joiner was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Professional Playing Career

Starting with the Houston Oilers

Joiner was drafted by the American Football League's Houston Oilers in 1969. He was picked in the fourth round. The Oilers first planned to use him as a defensive back. However, his college coach insisted he should play wide receiver.

Joiner with the Houston Oilers c. 1971

As a rookie in 1969, Joiner played as the Oilers' fourth wide receiver. His season ended early due to a broken arm. In 1970, the Oilers joined the NFL. Joiner broke his arm again in the preseason. He missed the first five games. When he returned, he caught 5 passes for 100 yards and scored his first professional touchdown. He later scored two touchdowns in one game, including an 87-yard catch.

In 1971, Joiner became a top receiver for the Oilers. He led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Moving to the Cincinnati Bengals

In 1972, the Oilers traded Joiner to the Cincinnati Bengals during the season. He was surprised by the trade. He had been leading the Oilers in catches.

Joiner found it hard to make an impact with the Bengals in 1972. He caught only eight passes in eight games. In 1973, he faced more challenges. The Bengals drafted another wide receiver, Isaac Curtis. Joiner also suffered a knee injury and then a broken collarbone. Despite injuries, he returned and helped the team. The Bengals won their division that year. Joiner played in his first playoff game, but they lost to the Miami Dolphins.

In 1974, Joiner signed a new contract with the Bengals. He scored his first touchdown for the team. In 1975, he had his best season with the Bengals. He caught 37 passes for 726 yards. He also set a Bengals record with 200 receiving yards in one game. The Bengals made the playoffs again but lost to the Oakland Raiders. This was Joiner's last game as a Bengal.

Joining the San Diego Chargers

In 1976, Cincinnati traded Joiner to the San Diego Chargers. He was happy to join the Chargers. Their quarterback, Dan Fouts, was impressed by Joiner.

Joiner quickly became the Chargers' top receiver. He had four straight games with over 100 receiving yards. He finished the 1976 season with 50 catches for 1,056 yards. He was named second-team All-Pro. Both Joiner and the player he was traded for were named to the Pro Bowl that year.

In 1977 and 1978, Joiner's role was smaller. He even thought about retiring. However, his career changed when Don Coryell became the Chargers' head coach. Coryell brought in his "Air Coryell" passing offense.

Joiner c. 1979

The "Air Coryell" Era

In 1979, Joiner became a key part of the "Air Coryell" offense. The Chargers also added tight end Kellen Winslow. The team had a great season, winning their division. Joiner played a heroic role in the final game against the Denver Broncos. He returned to the game twice after injuries and scored the winning touchdown.

Joiner finished 1979 with a career-high 72 catches for 1,008 yards. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl. He was the oldest player in the all-star game. The Chargers lost their playoff game to the Oilers.

In 1980, Joiner returned, hoping for a 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 Winslow all had over 1,000 receiving yards. They were the first trio of receivers on a team to do this. All three were named first-team All-Pro. The Chargers won their division again. Joiner scored a touchdown in their playoff win against the Steelers. However, they lost the AFC Championship game to the Raiders.

Joiner considered retiring again before the 1981 season. But he continued and became the Chargers' top receiver. He had a great opening game with 191 receiving yards. He finished the season with 70 catches and a career-high 1,188 yards. The Chargers won their division for the third year in a row.

In the playoffs, Joiner helped the Chargers win an exciting overtime game against the Miami Dolphins. This game is known as "The Epic In Miami". He caught 7 passes for 108 yards. The Chargers then lost the AFC Championship to the Bengals in a very cold game called the "Freezer Bowl".

Setting Records

The 1982 season was shorter due to a players' strike. Joiner had three games with over 100 receiving yards. The Chargers made the playoffs but lost to the Dolphins.

In 1983, Joiner played the full season despite cracked ribs. He caught 65 passes for 960 yards. His teammates voted him the most valuable and most inspiring Charger.

Joiner c. 1985

In 1984, Joiner aimed to break the NFL record for career receptions. He held out for a new contract but quickly agreed to a one-year deal. On November 25, 1984, he broke Charley Taylor's record. He caught his 650th pass against the Steelers. He finished the year with 61 catches.

In 1985, Joiner played his tenth season with the Chargers. 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.

Retirement

Joiner signed another one-year contract for the 1986 season. He was only 128 receiving yards away from breaking 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 record in a game against the Seattle Seahawks. The game was stopped briefly, and he received a standing ovation. Joiner broke his right hand later in the season. He missed his final home game, which ended his streak of 194 consecutive regular season games played. He played one more game, then retired.

Joiner was the last active player from the AFL. He finished his 18-season career with 750 catches for 12,146 yards and 65 touchdowns. He caught 586 of his passes with the Chargers. He retired as the NFL leader in career receptions and receiving yards. He also played the most seasons (18) and games (239) for a wide receiver. He said that Coach Coryell's offense helped extend his career.

Legacy and Honors

Joiner was known for being a smart player and a very precise route runner. He could change direction quickly without losing speed. He learned to adapt his game as he got older. His teammates voted him the Chargers' most inspirational player seven times.

Joiner c. 1986

Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh called Joiner "the most intelligent... receiver the game has ever known." His offensive coordinator, Joe Gibbs, praised him as "a totally dedicated guy who was just a great producer."

Joiner has received many honors:

• He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.
• He was voted into 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.
• A 2019 USA Today article ranked him as the ninth-best player in Chargers history.
• He was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
• The Chargers inducted Joiner into their hall of fame in 1993.
• The Chargers retired his No. 18 jersey in 2023.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player, Joiner became an assistant coach. In 1987, he was hired by the San Diego Chargers to coach wide receivers. He stayed with the Chargers until 1991.

He then joined the Buffalo Bills in 1992, also as a wide receivers coach. He worked with the Bills until 2000. In 2001, he moved to the Kansas City Chiefs in the same role. He stayed with the Chiefs for seven seasons.

In 2008, Joiner returned to the San Diego Chargers for his final coaching job. He spent five more years coaching their receivers. He announced his full retirement in 2012 at age 65. He said football was "definitely a young man's game."

Joiner's professional career lasted 44 years. He spent 18 years as a player and 26 years as a position coach. Twenty-one of those years were with the Chargers.

Life Outside Football

Joiner lived in Houston for most of his playing career. He moved to San Diego when he became a coach for the Chargers. He has an accountancy degree from college. For ten years, he worked part-time for Gulf Oil during the offseason. Joiner was unique because he managed his own contract negotiations. He did not use a sports agent.

Joiner is married and has two daughters.

See Also

• List of National Football League career receiving yards leaders