The bye week comes as a blessing in disguise…for San Diego

October 23, 2007 by Mike Olbinski

You can attribute it to whatever you want. Luck, the Almighty, whatever. But the fact that the Arizona Cardinals are on a bye this week came at a most important time for the San Diego Chargers.

Because of wild fires in San Diego County, something like half the team have been evacuated from their homes, which are in obvious danger of being burned down. Their practices were canceled on Monday and the team announced that they will be headed to Phoenix to use the Cards’ facilities for the week while they wait out the outcome of the fires.

Four years ago this week, the Chargers were forced to move their Monday Night game to Tempe because of fires. And now it’s happening again.

There is a chance if the fires don’t clear up, that the Chargers will host Houston somewhere in Phoenix, be it University of Phoenix Stadium, or Sun Devil Stadium.

I don’t know the entire story or what the Cardinals offered to the Chargers, but it’s completely obvious that they have opened their arms up to their neighbors in California and given them whatever they need. These are the kinds of things I love about sports and communities. You’re in trouble? Come use our entire practice facility…it’s all yours. Whatever we can do.
It’s just a small gesture really in the grand scheme of things. These players and their families may lose their homes this week in this devastating fire. It’s amazing how the winds that have brought such enjoyably cool temperatures to Phoenix, could be so horrible for someone else. I can’t imagine what it feels like to lose something like that.
How the Chargers can focus on football this week is beyond me. I pray that their homes make it and that they can face Houston on their own field this Sunday.

Posted in san diego chargers, nfl, football, arizona cardinals