Fans will get the chance to buy tickets to their game of choice when single-game tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. PT.

Fans can purchase tickets for any of the Chargers’ 10 preseason or regular season home games at the team’s ticket office at Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium; online at Chargers.com; or by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or visiting any TicketMaster outlet in person.

For those who prefer to purchase tickets directly from the Chargers’ ticket office at Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium, the first 100 fans that buy tickets at the stadium on Saturday will receive a free 2010 Chargers yearbook autographed by one of the team’s players.

Media Alert: The best suggested time for b-roll of fans purchasing tickets would be 10:00-10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Season tickets are also still available and can be purchased on Saturday. Season tickets are available at Chargers.com and at the ticket office at Qualcomm Stadium, which is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fans can also purchase tickets over the phone by calling 1-877-CHARGERS.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 2010 HOME SCHEDULE

SAT. AUG. 14 CHICAGO BEARS 6:00 p.m.
SAT. AUG. 21 DALLAS COWBOYS 6:00 p.m.
SUN. SEP. 19 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:15 p.m.
SUN. OCT. 3 ARIZONA CARDINALS 1:15 p.m.
SUN. OCT. 24 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 1:15 p.m.
SUN. OCT. 31 TENNESSEE TITANS 1:05 p.m.
MON. NOV. 22 DENVER BRONCOS 5:30 p.m.
SUN. DEC. 5 OAKLAND RAIDERS 1:05 p.m.
SUN. DEC. 12 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 1:15 p.m.
THU. DEC. 16 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 5:20 p.m. 

“Antonio is a special player and person. He is everything we are looking for in a Chargers player,” said General Manager A.J. Smith. “His talent and contributions to our team speak for themselves. His work ethic and desire to be the best are unmatched. He has been a major part of the success we have had over the past several years, and we are thrilled he will continue to be with us for years to come.”

The only current Charger named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team (2000-09) and one of the Chargers’ 50 Greatest Players of All-Time, Gates is one of the most-highly decorated tight ends to ever play the game. He had a memorable season in 2009, leading the team with 79 catches, racking up a career-best 1,157 yards, and scoring eight touchdowns. His 14.6 yards per catch average was the highest in the NFL among all tight ends.

Gates is a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro.

"I’ve been blessed my whole career to be with one team," Gates said. "It’s always good to get (the contract) out of the way. The goal is to win a championship. We all are human and it becomes a distraction even though you might not want it to be. It’s always great to be able to go ahead and do what you need to do and get it out of the way."

Since his rookie season of 2003, Gates leads all tight ends in touchdown catches (59). He ranks second in yards (6,223) and third in catches (479). Gates has led the Chargers in catches each of the last six seasons (2004-09).

There are presently seven modern-era tight ends enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Gates’ career touchdown total of 59 exceeds all seven. The Hall of Fame list includes former Charger Kellen Winslow, along with John Mackey, Ozzie Newsome, Dave Casper, Jackie Smith, Charlie Sanders and Mike Ditka.

Winslow has long been regarded as the greatest tight end in franchise history, yet Gates is on the verge of sharing or laying claim solely to that distinction. He heads into 2010 within range of Winslow’s career totals for receptions (541) and receiving yards (6,741). Gates needs just 62 catches and 518 yards to equal Winslow’s career statistics.

The San Diego Chargers were notified today by the National Football League that wide receiver Vincent Jackson will miss the first three regular-season games of 2010 for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.  The following statement was issued today by an NFL spokesperson:

“Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers has been suspended without pay for the first three games of the 2010 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

“Jackson’s suspension begins on Saturday, September 4.  He will be eligible to return to the Chargers’ active roster on Monday, September 27 following the team’sSeptember 26 game against the Seattle Seahawks.

“Jackson is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.”

Note: The NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse is posted on nflmedia.com.  From the home page, click on "Resources" and then "About the NFL."

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smithissued the following statement:  “Obviously we’re disappointed.  Vincent made a mistake and now must deal with the consequences.  It’s unfortunate, but we’ll deal with it and move on.”

###

The Chargers have agreed to four-year contracts with third-round draft pick Donald Butler and fifth-round pick Cam Thomas.

The Chargers now have signed or agreed to contracts with five of their six draft picks three weeks before training camp begins in full. First-round choice Ryan Mathews is the remaining unsigned pick.

Butler, a 6-foot-1, 248-pound inside linebacker, earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors as a senior at Washington. He made 91 tackles, one sack, forced three fumbles and intercepted two passes. Butler led all linebackers at the NFL Combine, where he bench pressed 225 pounds 35 times.

Thomas, the 6-foot-4, 335-pound defensive tackle out of North Carolina, made 23 tackles last season, blocked a kick and was credited with three quarterback pressures. Thomas earned a Senior Bowl invitation following the season and sacked Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson during the All-Star game. 

###

A public celebration of the life of San Diego State and San Diego Chargers Head Coach Don Coryell will take place Monday, July 12 at 2 pm at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University. Featured speakers scheduled to participate in the celebration of Coach Coryell’s life include NFL Hall of Fame members Dan Fouts, John Madden and Joe Gibbs, along with San Diego State and NFL alum Fred Dryer, and former Chargers and Aztecs assistant coach Jim Hanifan. Long-time friends and those who knew him best will share their fondest memories and stories of how the coaching legend impacted so many lives.

The Celebration is free open to the public.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Coach Coryell’s living legacy, donations may be made to the Don Coryell Scholarship Endowment at San Diego State Universityand mailed to:

The Campanile Foundation
Attn: Don Coryell Scholarship Fund
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4313
Tax ID #33-0868418

For additional information on the Scholarship Endowment as well as the Celebration of Don Coryell’s Life, contact Bob Moosbrugger at bobm@mail.sdsu.eduor 619-594-0291.

###

A Celebration of Life of San Diego State and San Diego Chargers Head Coach Don Coryell will take place Monday, July 12 at 2 pm at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University. Long-time friends and those who knew him best will share their fondest memories and stories of how the coaching legend impacted so many lives. The Celebration is open to the public.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Coach Coryell’s living legacy, donations may be made to the Don Coryell Scholarship Endowment at San Diego State University and mailed to:

The Campanile Foundation
Attn: Don Coryell Scholarship Fund
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4313
Tax ID #33-0868418

For additional information on the Scholarship Endowment as well as the Celebration of Don Coryell’s Life, contact Bob Moosbrugger at bobm@mail.sdsu.edu or 619-594-0291.

###

Legendary San Diego Chargers Head Coach Don Coryell, the man who revolutionized the forward passing game and later earned the nickname “Air Coryell,” passed away on Thursday afternoon at the age of 85.

Coryell had battled a lengthy illness and died at 3:15 pm surrounded by family at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, California.

“We are terribly saddened by the passing of Coach Coryell,” said Chargers President Dean Spanos. “He revolutionized the game of football, not only in San Diego, but throughout the entire NFL. Don Coryell was a legend not only with the Chargers but throughout San Diego. Though unfortunately he did not live long enough to see it, hopefully one day his bust will find its proper place in Pro Football’s Hall of Fame. He will be missed.”

The Chargers’ head coach from 1978-86, Coryell compiled a record of 72-60. His teams won three division titles, played in four divisional playoff games and two AFC Championship Games. With the Chargers, Coryell oversaw one of one of the most exciting teams ever seen in professional football. His ground-breaking approach to the passing game completely transformed the Chargers'offensive attack and revolutionized scoring in the NFL. Coryell won AFC coach of Year honors from the Professional Football Writers of America in 1979. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1994 and selected as one of the 50 Greatest Chargers of All-Time in 2010.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

“The San Diego Chargers were made aware today of an administrative inspection by the Drug Enforcement Administration and have cooperated fully.

In regards to the ongoing investigation involving Kevin Ellison, the Vicodin in Kevin’s possession was not provided by the Chargers, its physicians or anyone affiliated with the team.”

###

Two San Diego Chargers draft picks, safety Darrell Stuckey and tight end Dedrick Epps, signed four-year contracts Thursday.

They are the second and third of the Chargers’ six draft choices to sign with the team. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton, a fifth-round choice signed a four-year deal on June 3.

The 5-11, 208-pound Stuckey was picked in the fourth round out of Kansas, while Epps (6-4, 246) was taken in the seventh round out of Miami (Fla.).

Stuckey had a combined 190 tackles his final two seasons for the Jayhawks, along with six interceptions and a sack.

Epps caught 19 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns as a senior for the ‘Canes.

The Chargers’ remaining unsigned draft choices are running back Ryan Mathews (first round), linebacker Donald Butler (third round) and defensive tackle Cam Thomas (fifth round).

###