If you’ve ever wandered through the Chargers’ tailgating scene — whether back in the dusty parking lots of old Qualcomm Stadium or today amid the palm-framed asphalt of Los Angeles — chances are you’ve heard it before you’ve seen it. A rhythmic chant echoing through the lot: “Swoop! Swoop!” It’s part battle cry, part heartbeat — a rallying pulse that captures the spirit of Jesse “Pops” Constancio, one of the most beloved figures in all of tailgate culture. For Pops, that chant isn’t just noise; it’s history, heritage, and heart — the living rhythm of Swoopin’ D.

Born on Christmas Day in 1952 in Stockton, California — the same town that produced Chargers owner Alex Spanos — Jesse “Pops” Constancio has spent his life building things. From solar panels to football families, from youth careers to tailgate legacies, Pops has always been a craftsman of community. His career began as a solar installer, but his passion for helping others soon took him far beyond the job site. He became an instructor for the Home Builders Institute, teaching at-risk youth the skills they’d need to earn a living in the trades. Over time, he rose to become the organization’s national coordinator, overseeing programs across eight western states — “like a superintendent of schools,” he says with a grin. His mission was clear: “Not a handout, but a hand up.” Pops taught young men not only how to work with their hands, but how to hold their heads high — often serving as the father figure many never had. Through decades of mentorship, he’s helped generations of families find stability, dignity, and purpose.

That same sense of mentorship and pride runs through his love for football. Pops traces his Charger fandom back to the high-flying days of Don “Air” Coryell. “Don Coryell made me a Charger fan,” he says. “But Junior made me a season ticket holder.” When Coryell’s vertical passing attack hit San Diego, Pops was hooked. Football had always been a ground-and-pound grind back then, “three yards and a cloud of dust,” he recalls. But Air Coryell was art — a symphony of tight ends, motion, and precision that revolutionized the game. Still, Pops’ heart was with the defense. “Offense gets the glory,” he says, “but defense is where the battle takes place.”

That philosophy birthed the identity of Swoopin’ D. The name came from the street slang of Pops’ youth — “swoopin’ in” meant coming from all directions, fast and fierce. In the mid-’90s, when Junior Seau led the Chargers’ top-ranked defense, fans were searching for a name to match their dominance. “They floated ‘Border Patrol,’” Pops recalls, “but that wasn’t right for San Diego — not for a city full of Mexican families like mine.” His alternative stuck. Swoopin’ D captured everything — speed, energy, unity, and pride. The “SD” initials fit perfectly, and the chant “Swoop! Swoop!” — five letters like Seau’s #55 — became a heartbeat that still echoes across the fan base. It was a grassroots tradition born of the lot, built to honor a defense and a legend.

Pops’ journey as a tailgater began in 1997 when he and his son, Samuel, bought their first season tickets together. At first, it was just father and son cooking food from home and bringing it to the lot — a mashup of Chicano and Filipino roots they lovingly dubbed Chi-Pino cuisine. Onlookers marveled at how they were able to pair carne asada with soy sauce.  “People would ask why we had rice with guacamole,” Pops laughs. “We were just being us.” Soon, other fans took notice, and the group grew. By the early 2000s, they’d become part of a four-cornered setup known as the "Nasty Four Corners" — a coalition of tailgates that shared food, drink, and laughter like neighbors on a block. When the Chargers reorganized the parking lots, Pops and crew relocated to A4, forming a block-party-style celebration that set the gold standard for NFL tailgating. When the team moved to Los Angeles, Thunder Alley was birthed as an extension of that vibe.

Through it all, Pops’ philosophies defined the experience. His sayings became gospel: “Tailgate Don’t Never Lose,” a reminder that no matter what the scoreboard said, the fellowship of the lot remained undefeated. “Respect the Vibe,” a call for unity when San Diego fans moved their operation to Los Angeles after the move. “If you’re not having a good time,” Pops says, “you’re doing something wrong.” Under his leadership, the Swoopin’ D tailgate never saw a single fight — just laughter, good food, and family.

When the Chargers left San Diego, Pops was heartbroken. “I didn’t believe it would ever happen,” he admits. “But what hurt the most was seeing how it hurt my kids.” For him, the move wasn’t just about football; it was about losing a cultural heartbeat. “My grandkids will never have the same experiences my son and I had,” he says quietly. San Diego was special — a place where fans could hit the beach in the morning, tailgate in the afternoon, and build community all weekend long. Losing that connection, he says, was like losing a piece of the city’s soul. Still, Pops’ loyalty to the Chargers and the game remains unshaken. “Football’s in my blood,” he says. “And the tailgate — the people — that’s forever. 'Cause Win, Lose or Move, the Chargers are my team!”

Away from the stadium, Pops’ leadership extends deep into his community. He’s a longtime member of the Chicano Park Steering Committee, helping preserve the cultural heart of San Diego through volunteer work and event coordination. He plays a key role in organizing the park’s annual celebration and is part of the team working to establish the new Chicano Park Museum. He was a tireless advocate in the Save Our Bolts movement, standing before city councils and NFL hearings to fight for the fans and the history they represent. Through it all, Pops remains a storyteller, quick with a joke and a laugh — using humor as both a shield and a bridge. “You had to be quick growing up in the projects,” he says. “If you could talk fast enough, you didn’t have to fight. I guess I never stopped talking.”

For Jesse “Pops” Constancio, tailgating has never been just about food and football. It’s about faith, family, and fellowship — about creating space where everyone feels welcome. Every tailgate starts with a prayer and ends, as Pops likes to say, with the understanding that the tailgate never really ends. Whether it’s under the San Diego sun or the bright lights of SoFi Stadium, Pops and his Swoopin’ D crew carry forward a legacy built on laughter, love, and loyalty. In a world where teams relocate and seasons come and go, the message remains the same: Tailgate Don’t Never Lose.