San Diego Chargers

Shawne Merriman tells TMZ Sports he's feeling pretty crappy today after learning Chargers owner Alex Spanos died ... saying, "Just really sorry for the loss, man."

Spanos -- who bought the Chargers back in 1984 -- passed away Tuesday morning at 95 years old ... just several weeks after his wife, Faye, died at 92.

"I sent text messages this morning to the family," Merriman, an ex-Chargers superstar, tells us.

"Very sorry to hear that. Alex Spanos has done so much for the organization."

Though Alex relinquished control of the Bolts to his son, Dean, in '94 ... Shawne says Alex and the rest of the Spanoses played huge roles in his development as a man after drafting him in 2005.

In fact, Shawne tells us the Spanoses are like family to him ... and he's hurting for them.

"Just want to send my love and condolences to the Spanos family."

George W. Bush also released a statement on Spanos' passing Tuesday, saying, "Alex was one-of-a-kind ... He was a wonderful citizen and friend, and the Bush family will miss him."

LaDainian Tomlinson has ZERO sympathy for Broncos players who got wack haircuts this week ... 'cause back when he was a rookie -- he was hazed to the tune of a near $20,000 dinner check!!

We got the legendary Charger out at LAX when he told us the Denver hazing story doesn't even compare to what he went through as a first-year player in 2001.

"The late Junior Seau and the veterans hazed me by taking me to dinner and spending $18,000 of my money!" L.T. tells TMZ Sports.

Antonio Gates is getting some career advice from his friend and former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson -- hang it up.

After 15 seasons with the Chargers, the team has cut ties with the 37-year-old tight end -- and he still hasn't been picked up by another squad.

So, when we saw LT -- who played 7 seasons with Gates in San Diego -- we asked if he thinks it's time for #85 to ride off into the sunset.

"I think he should retire a Charger," Tomlinson said ... "I definitely think he still can play, though."

"[Gates] became known as one of the greatest Chargers ever. I would hate to see him put on another uniform. It just doesn't seem right."

Interesting advice coming from Tomlinson, who played his final 2 seasons with the NY Jets after a legendary 9-year run with the Bolts.

Maybe he's speaking from experience ...

Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman says O.J. Simpson absolutely should get to use his Heisman vote now that he's outta the slammer ... telling TMZ Sports it all boils down to a basic formula.

On the field ... O.J. was a legend who (fun fact) won his Heisman award by the largest margin of victory EVER.

Off the field ... the former Chargers linebacker says it doesn't matter what Simpson did or didn't do -- 'cause he's voting on a football award!

Sergio Dipp -- who became famous Monday night for his epically terrible 'MNF' sideline report -- says he wants another shot to cover the NFL ... assuring the viewers he'll do better next time!

Dipp rose to social media superstardom during the 1st half of the Chargers, Broncos game -- ESPN cameras cut to the sideline reporter who bumbled his way through an incredibly awkward story about Broncos head coach Vance Joseph.

ESPN never brought Dipp back on the air -- despite demands from everyone on Twitter. There was just something endearing about him.

After the game, Dipp -- who was born in Mexico -- posted a video statement ... saying he was just very excited to make his debut on American TV, "The biggest stage possible."

"All I wanted to do was to show some love to these two historical head coaches," Dipp said.

"Hopefully, I'll have another chance and be sure I'll make the most out of it."

J.J. Watt's younger bro, Derek Watt, isn't just praising his brother for raising $27 MILLION for Hurricane Harvey victims ... he's getting involved, too!

Derek -- a 2nd year fullback for the Chargers -- was loading up trucks at the "Chargers Food & Supply Drive to Aid Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts" in L.A. on Wednesday ... along with several teammates.

Watt says he's been texting with his family about J.J.'s fundraising -- and thinking of other ways they can help out.

You gotta watch the video ... Derek says he's "extremely proud" and vows to help push the magic number to over $30 MILLION.

The security guard who busted out the ol' 5 knuckle shuffle on the sidelines of a San Diego Chargers game last year -- while fans recorded him on cell phones -- has pled guilty to committing a lewd act.

The video went crazy viral ... showing the man in an Elite Security uniform pleasuring himself while the Chargers took on the Raiders directly behind him.

Investigators in San Diego were able to identify the dude and charged him with 1 count of committing a lewd act in public. He later faced the judge and was sentenced to 3 years probation and counseling, according to KGTV.

He will NOT have to register as a sex offender.

Moments after the L.A. Chargers picked Mike Williams in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, he got a phone call from Philip Rivers ... and it's clear both of these guys mean business.

Williams is pretty excited about his new gig -- and when the former Clemson WR touched down in L.A. on Friday, he told us he vows to be a dominant pro who gives everything to the game.

Chargers players Donavon Clark & Tyrell Williams are throwing down the gauntlet to L.A. football fans ... saying the time is now to choose their team, 'cause the bandwagon will be full at a later date.

We got the guys out at Pink's Hot Dogs in L.A. (football players gotta eat) and asked them how Tinseltown pigskin fans are supposed to make their decision between the Chargers and Rams.

It's a good question ... L.A. hasn't had a team in FOREVER, and now there's two, so the city could be thrust into an all-out football civil war.

Clark and Williams say no matter how you make your decision ... MAKE IT NOW ... 'cause they're planning on winning a lot of games and don't want fans who just root for the trendy team.

Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram says rap ain't a silly hobby to him -- telling TMZ Sports, "I do music and I do it well."

Ingram raps under the name "SupaMel" -- and just released a new mixtape called "Franchise Tag" ... fitting, considering he just got tagged by the Chargers during the offseason.

Ingram says his heart is in football and that's still his main goal -- but says he KNOWS he's a talented hip-hop artist.

"Everybody got their own hobby. Some people like to cook. Some people like to play golf. I do music and I do it well."

He also tells us what separates him from other athletes who rap like Le'Veon Bell and Damian Lillard -- and he's not mincing his words.

L.A. Chargers star Melvin Ingram is doin' the offseason the right way ... renting out a HUGE house right in the heart of Miami Beach.

The 27-year-old linebacker is training in FL for next season ... and decided to kick it at a 4 bedroom crib just minutes away from his training facility, the beach, and oh yeah ... the clubs!

The Bolts captain is droppin' $25k per month for the pad ... which comes with a crazy view of the ocean and an outdoor pool.

Chargers lineman King Dunlap was arrested in Nashville after allegedly violating a court order demanding he have no contact with his GF.

Nashville police responded to a domestic disturbance call around 9 PM Thursday night. When they arrived, cops say Dunlap was inside of his girlfriend's house ... a no-no 'cause of a protective order that says King CANNOT have contact with his girlfriend.

It's unclear why the order was initially granted.

King -- who's been in the NFL since 2008 -- was taken into custody ... before posting $1,000 bail and being released.

He's scheduled to appear in court on March 7.

Only ONE running back can be the true king of L.A. ... and Chargers' Melvin Gordon says he's ready to do battle with Rams star Todd Gurley.

The L.A. Chargers running back says he's got nothing but respect for Gurley -- but it's clear in the clip, he wants to be known as #1.

Gurley made the Pro Bowl last year. Gordon made the Pro Bowl this year.

So, who's got the advantage?

"We'll figure it out next year," Gordon says ... "Ain't no more talkin'. We'll let the work do the talk."

L.A. Rams legend Jack Youngblood has a message for the other NFL team in town -- GIT!!!

The Hall of Famer just touched down in Houston when we asked about business back on the West Coast -- specifically if L.A. is big enough for both the Rams and the Chargers.

The answer -- HELL NO.

Pissed off at the Chargers for leaving San Diego ... right after you got that sweet Bolts logo tatted on your arm???

Remember this day ... the day NFL star DJ Fluker GUARANTEED his L.A. Chargers (still weird) would make the NFL playoffs in 2017.

We got Fluker on the streets of his new home city and asked him about all things Chargers, including what the fans can expect from the team on the field next season.

That's when Fluker went all Joe Namath on us ... assuring, asserting, then outright guaranteeing the Chargers charge their way into the playoffs.