Charlie Joiner

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Joiner's professional journey began in 1969 when the Houston Oilers selected him in the fourth round of the NFL/AFL draft. Intended for defensive back, he was moved to wide receiver after head coach Wally Lemm and others recognized his potential on offense. His early years were marred by injuries; as a rookie, he suffered a compound fracture of the right arm in week 7 against the Denver Broncos. After another broken arm in the 1970 preseason, he returned to record his first professional touchdown on a 46-yard pass from Jerry Rhome. In 1971, after the trade of starter Jerry LeVias, Joiner led the Oilers in receiving yardage and touchdowns. Traded midseason in 1972 to the Cincinnati Bengals, he struggled initially, catching only eight passes in eight games that year. The following season, a knee injury and subsequent fractured collar bone limited him to five appearances, though quarterback Ken Anderson praised how Joiner and Isaac Curtis stretched defenses together. By 1975, Joiner posted career highs of 37 receptions for 726 yards, including a then-single-game record of 200 receiving yards against Cleveland on November 23. He scored his first postseason touchdown in a narrow loss to the Oakland Raiders before joining San Diego.

In Their Own Story

In 1976, Cincinnati traded Joiner to the San Diego Chargers, beginning an eleven-season run that would define his legacy. Although he made the Pro Bowl in his first year, his role diminished over the next two seasons, nearly prompting retirement as early as 1978. His career was revitalized when head coach Don Coryell installed the Air Coryell passing offense. From 1979 to 1981, Joiner recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. During this peak, he earned two more Pro Bowl selections (1979–1980) and secured first-team All-Pro honors in 1980. Over his career, 586 of his 750 regular-season catches occurred after joining the Chargers. He retired holding the NFL records for most career receptions, receiving yards, and games played by a wide receiver.

Reader's Guide

Fans can trace Joiner's path from Grambling College, where he was a three-time first-team All-SWAC selection under coach Eddie Robinson, to his professional debut. At Grambling, he set a school record with 42 catches as a senior in the 1968 Pasadena Bowl victory. After graduating in accountancy, he entered the 1969 draft. His NFL career was marked by resilience; after injuries with the Oilers and Bengals, he found stability in San Diego. Joiner is noted for his precise route running and longevity, serving as a wide receivers coach for twenty-six years before retiring completely after the 2012 season. In 2013, he was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Joiner did not play football until his junior year of high school, preferring baseball instead.
• He was selected as a defensive back in the draft but convinced coaches to let him play wide receiver.
• In 1975, he set a Bengals single-game record with 200 receiving yards against Cleveland.
• Joiner played college football at Grambling College (now Grambling State University) under head coach Eddie Robinson.
• He served as a wide receivers coach for twenty-six years before retiring completely after the 2012 season.