The San Diego Chargers announced this morning that RB LaDainian Tomlinson will re-sign with the team and then on Monday he will announce his retirement from NFL after 11 seasons. Tomlinson, who recently told SI’s Jim Trotter that he was “95% retired”, is making it official.
Tomlinson who spent his first nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers lead the league in rushing in back to back seasons in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, he was the league MVP after setting the single season touchdown record with 31 TDs. In his nine seasons with the Chargers, he started 141 games, rushed for 12,490 yards and scored 138 rushing touchdowns, plus he added 530 receptions for 3,955 yards and 15 touchdowns.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Tomlinson will leave the game with the team he started with. His past two seasons with the Jets have not lived up to his standard, but that might be attributed to how the Jets used him in the offense and not necessarily Tomlinson’s ability to produce on the ground. Still after he is gone, most will remember him wearing the lightning bolt on his helmet and not the gang green Jet logo.
Sure, there will be be many people who dislike the whole sign a one-day contract and then retire immediately from the team situation, but this one makes sense. I as will countless Charger fans, will enjoy seeing Tomlinson a San Diego Charger again, even if it is only for one more day. Remember, it was Tomlinson’s first nine seasons that made him an NFL superstar at the running back position. So it is only fitting that he go out a Supa Charger!
I like the idea of a 1 day contract. Retiring a Charger, sure, go for it. He was pretty dang good as a Charger, too.
I disagree about the one day contract. I really think it’s dumb, but I guess it is up to the player. Had LT just retired he would always be thought of a Charger by me.