The newest entry to my game-used memorabilia collection is this 2003 San Diego Chargers jersey worn by wide receiver Dondre Gilliam.
This jersey has a crazy story. Gilliam was a graduate of D-II Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was signed and waived by the Chargers 5 times in 2002 without logging a stat. Going into Week 4 of the 2003 season, the chargers found themselves down five receivers - including David Boston, Reche Caldwell, and Tim Dwight - so the Chargers gave Gilliam a call and started him that week against the Raiders. Gilliam was issued #10 because every other common receiver jersey number was taken.
In that game, Gilliam was in the huddle with Drew Brees, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, and Lorenzo Neal - indisputably among the top-20 all-time at their respective positions, and possibly even top-10 all-time. To make it even more crazy, Gilliam ran routes against Charles Woodson and Rod Woodson.
Gilliam posted 4 receptions for 67 yards, leading the team. The top receivers for the Raiders? Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. The Raiders won the matchup of legends in overtime, 34-31. More ridiculous footnotes: The game featured the first career reception for Antonio Gates and the only career touchdown reception for Drew Brees.
Gilliam went on to play three more games in this jersey, logging his final two career receptions from Doug Flutie, before the Chargers went back to full staff and waived him for good.
I don’t have definitive photomatches for this one given that I only have two game photos of Gilliam to work with, but it’s a slam dunk for a combination of reasons:
The jersey tag is from 2003
Photos from the Raiders game show the layout of his jersey lettering is a perfect match
The jersey shows the stitch outline of a removed patch worn that season and the placement matches the photos
The jersey has repairs so it was worn in multiple games
There’s no way the team issued Gilliam a new jersey part way through the season because he had little playing time and a constantly-uncertain roster status
All in all, this jersey tells quite a story and I’m happy to have it.
