Growing up, John Lynch had some of the best seats in the house.
Not 50-yard-line seats at Jack Murphy Stadium, but on the 20 behind the visitors’ bench, and in the preferred viewing area of the plaza, or second level.
The Broncos’ star safety looks forward to playing this afternoon in San Diego at renamed Qualcomm Stadium.
Not that trying to cover tight end Antonio Gates or tackling LaDainian Tomlinson makes for an easy day, but there’s nothing like going home that touches the warm, nostalgic places in a man’s heart.
“We were season-ticket holders for the Chargers, and every time I go there I look to right where I sat and remember the folks I sat with,” Lynch said.
One of those folks was Oscar Goodman, now the flamboyant mayor of Las Vegas. Goodman once paraded around the lobbies of Major League Baseball’s winter meetings, Las Vegas showgirls in tow, in hopes of convincing commissioner Bud Selig and his ownership group of bringing a franchise to the shadows of The Strip.
“We sat next to him for 10 years,” Lynch said. “Crazy.”
Behind the Broncos bench, 20-yard line nearest the north end zone, plaza level.
Lynch attended nearby Torrey Pines High School. His Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl at Qualcomm following the 2002 season. And he’s part owner, along with his father, of the biggest sports radio station in San Diego.
“I have great memories there,” Lynch said. “I always seem to play well. Won a Super Bowl there in my hometown. It’s always fun.”
Against the odds
Speaking of Vegas, the Broncos are the league’s second-biggest underdog this week as the Chargers are 7 1/2-point favorites.
Only the Oakland Raiders, who are playing at Cincinnati and getting 10 1/2 points, are less likely to win, according to the oddsmakers.
To think that just three weeks ago, the Broncos were favored to beat San Diego at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“Who cares who picks who?” Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. “People can pick whoever they want, but on any given Sunday, anybody can beat anybody.”
Injury report
Gates slightly tweaked his hamstring during practice Thursday but was listed as probable Friday on the Chargers’ injury report.
San Diego receiver Eric Parker also showed up for the first time on the injury report Friday, but was listed as probable with a knee ailment.
Meanwhile, Broncos tight end Stephen Alexander’s sprained ankle improved to the point he was upgraded from questionable to probable.
Kicker Jason Elam (hamstring) and middle linebacker Al Wilson (neck) remain listed as questionable but are expected to play.
Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
