Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh stole a page from his brother John’s playbook this offseason by adding custom patches to players’ practice jerseys that note personal or team accomplishments.
“(It’s) like a resume,” Harbaugh said. “(It) kind of reminds me how a (military) general has different patches. Someday, they’ll be able to put that jersey up in a frame, put it on a wall, say something really good about themselves. It will be what they accomplished as a pro football player. I like that.”
Players have earned patches for being named a team captain with the Chargers, setting an NFL or team record, making the playoffs, winning the Ed Block Courage Award, being nominated for or named the Walter Payton Man of the Year, collecting an All-Pro honor or being selected as the Block of Granite award winner in the weight room.
The patches feature gold lighting bolts for achievements with the Chargers, while white lightning bolts mark accomplishments with another team. For example, linebacker Khalil Mack has five playoff appearances in his career, including two with the Chargers (gold), two with the Chicago Bears (white) and one with the Oakland Raiders (white).
“I love it. I love everything about it,” Chargers safety Derwin James said. “At the end of the day, this is a professional league, but when you can keep us connected and get a little bragging rights in the locker room. It’s good. Guys want to compete for their jersey to look like that, too. It’s a lot of fun.”
As mentioned, the elder Harbaugh implemented a similar system when he became head coach of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. The patches have evolved in the years since, but players have notably worn patches that noted the franchise’s victory in Super Bowl XLVII, AFC North Division titles, playoff appearances and offseason workout participation.
Photos courtesy of @chargers and @Ravens on X/Twitter.
