Chargers Editorial: The Legacy of Malcom Floyd
Malcom Floyd. A name many San Diego Chargers fans are very fond of. From the incredible catches to the very memorable personality. He holds a special place in many Chargers fans hearts.
Malcom has been with the Chargers since the year he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004. Floyd was strongly recruited since his high school days. He came out of West Sacramento River City High School, a small school in the suburbs of northern California. He was then recruited to the University of Wyoming, where he majored in health science. Floyd was a redshirt freshman in 1999, when he was named a first team all conference selection. Floyd was beginning to really develop as a player.
He finished his career at Wyoming with 186 catches and an astounding 2,411 receiving yards for a total of 14 touchdowns. As he declared for the draft, he was an honorable mention for the all Mountain West team. His legacy at Wyoming quickly turned into a worrisome NFL draft. Floyd left the draft without a professional contract and now had to turn to free agency.
Not being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine was another crushing blow to Malcom Floyd. Little did he know that despite not being drafted, there was major interest by the San Diego Chargers scouts and management. He was signed as an undrafted free agent on April 30th of 2004.
Making a transition from college ball to pro ball is always a tough task at hand. Due to Floyd’s inability to produce in the pre-season and on the practice fields, he was waived and demoted to the practice squad. After hours on end of hard work, Malcom was then re-signed to the active roster on December 11th 2004. He proved his worth to the team and never let the opportunity pass him by.
Floyd was given his chance to shine and it finally seemed that all his hard work had been for the better. He was then set for his first NFL start against the rival Kansas City Chiefs. Floyd and Philip Rivers had already seemed to develop chemistry as the two recorded their first touchdowns in their careers. A 13 yard reception in the end zone. What a start it was for Malcom Floyd and the NC State alumni Philip Rivers.
Floyd’s career has been a pleasure to watch to say the least. Injuries have definitely been the main culprit to his limited action. Throughout the tenure of his 11 year stint with San Diego he has had various issues. On September 5th of 2013, the Chargers receiver endured a horrible looking head and neck injury during a game with the Philadelphia Eagles. M-80 (as his nick-name slowly caught on) was carted of the field as players watched in horror.
Here we stand now. The possible end of Malcom Floyd’s career. M-80 sustained a shoulder injury (torn labrum) on a diving attempt from a ball thrown deep down field by quarterback Philip Rivers in a week nine loss to the Chicago Bears. Tight end Antonio Gates spoke to the media reportedly pleading with Floyd to play another year.
So this might be the end. Malcom Floyd still intends on retiring after the 2015-16 NFL season. We can only say our last goodbyes to a Charger icon. He totaled 5,398 yards on 312 catches and 34 receiving touchdowns. Quite an incredible stat line. Thank you M-80 for the incredible memories and best of luck.
I write, I write, and then I write some more.. Lifelong Padres & Chargers fan who is tired of the acceptance of losing that grips all of San Diego sports fans!