SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: BOLTMAN

Boltman is part Man, and part Bolt. He is also completely unofficial. A mascot for the people when the people had no mascot, he spends his time grinning enthusiastically behind a custom built Hollywood headpiece.

How did you fall in love with your team? What is your first memory around your NFL team?

I got drawn into the San Diego Chargers in the early 80's and instantly I was hooked into the game. By the mid 90's I was 100% bleeding blue, white, and gold. A great memory was the controversial play, better known as the Holly Roller play, on September 10, 1978 when the Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers in that one play.

How, when, and why did you start dressing up, collecting or becoming more than a regular ordinary fan?

The year was 1995, January 15th. The San Diego Chargers, AFC Champions, won their first trip to the Super Bowl. They faced the San Francisco 49'ers in the first all-California Super Bowl, XXIX. The City of San Diego went Bolt Crazy. I quickly realized that the Chargers were missing a mascot for the City's first Super Bowl appearance. I took it upon myself to fill the void and created Boltman.

What is your favorite NFL moment or team memory?

My favorite memory would be the Pittsburgh Steelers game in the 1994 AFC Championship game where in the fourth quarter with the clock running out, our quarterback's pass over the middle, just inside the end zone, was low and batted away by the Chargers' linebacker. The Chargers were on their way to their first Super Bowl. Best day of my life to say the least.

What is your favorite keepsake or piece of memorabilia?

A two-sided, silver and gold plated 1994 Chargers Super Bowl coin.

What is your game day ritual? How do you prefer to watch the game?

I get to the game early in the morning and start preparing myself mentally for a long, exciting day. Transitioning into the character takes about a half hour to suit up in full armor. I then work my way into the stadium from the RV section. That takes quite some time as everyone has cell phones these days and would like a selfie with Boltman. I average about five hours in the suit during game day.

What is the best thing about your team?

I'm a native San Diegian and born and raised in San Diego and the San Diego Chargers play right here in my backyard, in America's finest city - San Diego.

How did you develop your costume / get your nickname / develop your superfan persona?

My first Boltman character in 1995 was designed and created through rendering drawings. I had my first renderings of Boltman submitted to a Hollywood manufacturer that has done several characters for high-profile movies. The character Boltman has gone through several transformations as he has been evolving for the past 22 years.

All images by Ben Colen.

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