Lance Alworth (born August 3, 1940 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football wide receiver. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At the University of Arkansas, the six-foot (1.83 m), 180-pound (82 kg) Alworth was a running back who led all colleges in punt return yardage in 1960 and 1961.
The American Football League's San Diego Chargers drafted Alworth in the second round of the 1962 AFL draft and signed him after a bidding war with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. The Chargers moved Alworth to wide receiver. His slender build, speed, grace, and leaping ability earned him the nickname "Bambi." He was an all-American Football League selection seven consecutive times, from 1963 through 1969; was the UPI's 1963 AFL Most Valuable Player; and is a member of the All-time All-AFL Team. Alworth scored on a 48-yard touchdown pass in the Chargers' 1963 AFL Championship Game victory over the Boston Patriots.
He held records for the most consecutive games with a reception (96), the most games with 200 or more yards on receptions (5) and was the only receiver to average more than 100 yards a game in three consecutive seasons (1964-1966). Alworth formed a formidable tandem along with Chargers quarterback John Hadl, and is considered by many to be the best wide receiver in all of professional football during the 1960s. Alworth played his final two seasons (1971 and 1972) with the Dallas Cowboys. He caught a touchdown for the Cowboys in Super Bowl VI, a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. In 1978 he became the first San Diego Charger and the first AFL player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Alworth's #19 is retired by the Chargers, only the second number ever retired by the team. In 1994, he was selected as a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.
