Fires Force Everyone to Flee, Even Icons and Teams

Sports icons Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman and LaDainian Tomlinson were among the San Diegans forced from their homes by the wildfires. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Gwynn's and Tomlinson's homes in Poway and Hoffman's home in Rancho Santa Fe were directly in the path of the Witch Creek fire that had started in East San Diego County near Ramona.

On Chargers.com, Prow Bowl center Nick Hardwick estimated that about 75 percent of the team (including LT and quarterback Philip Rivers) were affected by the wildfires and evacuations. Though many of the players and their families were forced to evacuate. A few of those who were unaffected took the time to help.  A few Chargers and some staff members, including Safety Clinton Hart, were among the volunteers at Qualcomm. Also assisting at the evacuation site were Padres players and staff, including first baseman Adrian Gonzales and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Reported on Padres.com, current Padres Brett Tomko (Poway) and manager Bud Black(Rancho Santa Fe) were forced out by the Witch Creek evacuation. As printed in the U-T, former Padres Phil Nevin (Poway) and Brian Lawrence and former coaches Bruce Bochy (Poway) and Dave Stewart (Poway) were also evacuated. It was also reported that former Major-Leaguer David Justice's home was among those that burned in Poway. In 2003, former Padre and Cy Young award winner Randy Jones lost his North County home.

Coming off a bye week, the wildfires have created disruption in the Chargers' season. It is unknown how the players will be affected by wildfires and the subsequent evacuations. The entire team was evacuated to Tempe (AZ), and some players opted to bring their families along with them. According to former Charger Billy Ray Smith (who was also evacuated from his home) who appeared on ESPN news, Defensive Lineman Igor Olshansky's wife is currently pregnant. After being evacuated, Olshansky's wife flew to San Francisco in order to get away from all of the smoke and ash polluting the local air. It seems that like most people, the players might have their focus directed on their families and on the events in San Diego.

As many of the players remain unaware of what has happened to their homes and neighborhoods. The team will attempt to resume practices in Arizona, preparing for its upcoming game against the Houston Texans. It is unknown where this "home" game will be played since Qualcomm Stadium is currently an evacuation center and host to many of those displaced by the fires. During the 2003 wildfires, the Chargers played their Monday Night Football "home" game against the Dolphins in Tempe, Arizona. Tempe, Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston are among the possible sites for this Sunday's game if Qualcomm Stadium remains unavailable.