Former punter Darren Bennett (1995-2003), who holds nearly every team punting record, has been elected into the Chargers Hall of Fame. (Getty Images)

The Chargers announced former punter Darren Bennett (1995-2003) has been elected into the Chargers Hall of Fame. Bennett beat out RB Natrone Means (1993-95, 1998-99) and WR Anthony Miller (first round pick, 1988-1993 ). The Hall of Fame selection was decided by fan vote for the first time in franchise history with nearly 25,000 votes cast on-line.

“I’m extremely humbled to have even been asked, but to think that I’m the 36th person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is an experience I’ll never forget,” Bennett said.  “Especially to be the first person inducted after Junior Seau, I’m very humbled. It was a great thing to
play for the Chargers, but to be thought of as one of the top 36 players is something I’ll never forget.”

“I am very excited for Darren,” said Chargers Executive Vice President – CEO A.G. Spanos. “Darren is one of the best punters ever to play in the NFL. He is very deserving of this honor.  All three players on the ballot should be proud to be considered.”

Bennett was a star in Australian Rules Football  before fate led him to the National Football League. He tried out for the Chargers on his honeymoon trip with his wife Rosemary to San Diego.

In 1994, Bennett was on the practice squad for the season the Chargers reached their only Super Bowl. Bennett watched the AFC Championship game vs. the Steelers in Pittsburgh with friends and family in San Diego. Later in the day, Bennett got word  fans were gathering at then-Jack Murphy Stadium to welcome home his teammates and decided to join
the celebration.

Bennett fought extreme traffic as more than 70,000 converged on the stadium. Eventually he found his way to the field and witnessed Means hoist the AFC Championship trophy for one of the most memorable moments in franchise history. Bennett could not have imagined at that time many of the fans who packed the stands that night would someday elect him into the Chargers Hall of Fame over Means and Miller.

“I’m very appreciative of the people of San Diego,” Bennett said. “I think it’s
more special that I am being inducted because the fans voted me in. The reason we play is for the fans, and their emotions that you see from them are tremendous. To be voted in by them is a great tribute because it shows the effect we as a team had on the people of San
Diego. It’s tremendous for me and my family.”

Bennett joined the Chargers active roster the next season. He not only excelled as a punter, but he changed how important the position was perceived.

Bennett was twice named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. He holds almost every team punting record, including most punts in a career (771), season (95) and games (11); most punt yards in a career (33,776), season (4,248), and game (522) ; tied for first in highest punting
average in a game, and ranks second with the highest punting average for a career and season. Bennett had just one punt blocked in his career that stretched 11 seasons (1995-2005) including his final two season with the Vikings.

Bennett’s previous accolades include being named the Chargers Special Teams Player of the Year (2000), Sports Illustrated’s All-Pro honors (1999), selection to the Chargers’ 40th and 50th Anniversary All-Time Teams, along with being named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 90’s.

Perhaps more than his numbers, Bennett is deserving of being a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame because his impact on the team is still felt on the field today. Bennett willingly mentored current P Mike Scifres (2003-present) in his final season in San Diego.

Scifres has landed 200 of 503 (39.8 percent) career punts inside the 20 for the highest average of any  punter with 500 or more punts in NFL history.

Bennett believes passing down knowledge of the game is just part of the storied tradition of being a Chargers kicker. “Along the way I’ve had some great teammates,” Bennett said as the team honored him on Tuesday. “Three of them are here right now. John Carney, who was my mentor when I first came into the league, he learned from Rolf Benirschke. The lineage of punters and kickers is something that has been strong at the San Diego Chargers, and hopefully will be for years to come because of Nate [Kaeding] and Mike [Scifres] who are here now.”

Bennett also acknowledged the man who got him the ball throughout his career in San Diego. “David Binn is probably the best snapper to ever play in the NFL.”

Follow Chargers reporter Dan McLellan on Twitter @CBSChargers and @sandiegosports.