EL SEGUNDO, Calif -- Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has many ways of showing appreciation for his players, most often displayed in adoring messages at news conferences or with game balls after wins.
On Wednesday, three days after the Chargers' 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Harbaugh's gift of choice was a lunch pail.
He gifted each Chargers player a black metal lunch pail engraved with their names and many of his favorite words, including "stalwart," which is written on the front in capital letters.
"I know I've told you some words I don't like, but that is my favorite of all words: stalwart," Harbaugh said in September. "As a coach, you just don't get that many opportunities to be a stalwart, but as a player? You sure do."
Many players showed off their lunch pails in the locker room. Linebacker Daiyan Henley called it a token of appreciation for "busting our ass."
Jim Harbaugh gave every player a lunch pail with their names and some of his favorite words like "stalwart" today.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) December 4, 2024
"Just a little something for busting our ass." - Daiyan Henley pic.twitter.com/OskpkTtUXI
The lunch pail is one of many Harbaugh gifts this season. Each player that made the 53-man roster received a blue-collared work shirt with an embroidered name patch and lightning bolt logo.
Harbaugh said the shirt's purpose was to honor the person in everyone's family who worked a job they didn't love to ensure their family could pursue careers about which they were passionate. Players who receive a game ball can choose from different items, including an embroidered work jacket, similar to the blue-collared shirt many players have sported.
"We all do a job we love. And when I wear that shirt, I love to work," Harbaugh said. "I get emotional about stuff like that."
The Chargers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14 on "Sunday Night Football."
