Chargers Bestow Highest Honor on LaDainian Tomlinson
Tomlinson’s #21 to be retired as he enters the Chargers Hall of Fame
By Todd Strain ••
When it comes to the Chargers retiring uniform numbers there’s 19, 14, 55 and soon there will be 21.
Bolts legend LaDainian Tomlinson will have his number 21 uniform retired when he’s inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame during the 2015 season. The official ceremony will take place Sunday, November 22 at halftime of the Chargers-Chiefs game on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
Tomlinson will be the 4th player to have his number retired the Chargers, joining Lance Alworth (19), Dan Fouts (14) and the late Junior Seau (55).
“There’s no question LaDainian is a first ballot Hall of Famer. His contributions off the field to the community of San Diego are as important as what he did on the field. What he did on the field was monumental,” said Fouts, in speaking about Tomlinson.
After 11 fantastic seasons on NFL fields, Tomlinson retired in 2012. When LT retired he was the league’s fith all-time leading rusher (13,684 career yards) and its second most prolific scorer (145 career rushing touchdowns).
Tomlinson was the Chargers first-round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. During his 9 seasons with the team, LT became one of the most popular and decorated Chargers in history.
LT’s 2006 NFL Most Valuable Player Awards is the highlight more of than 100 team and league awards to his credit.
“Some guys you watch play and say, ‘I wonder if he will wind up in the Hall of Fame?’ LT answered that question a long time ago. He is one of the greatest and most versatile running backs to ever play the game. He helped this organization return to relevancy in the NFL and gave all of us a lot of exciting moments we’ll remember forever,” former Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said.
A formal press conference for Tomlinson’s number retirement will be held on Thursday at Chargers Park.
Getty Images, File
Fan favorite LaDainian Tomlinson will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week.
Getty Images, File
Fan favorite LaDainian Tomlinson will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week.
Getty Images
Tomlinson played nine of his 11 years in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.
Getty Images
Tomlinson currently works as a special assistant with the team which has recently relocated to Los Angeles.
Getty Images
Chargers fans will always consider "L.T." to be a San Diego Charger.
Google Maps
Here's a look at images of Tomlinson on and off the field throughout his NFL career.
Getty Images
Tomlinson always spent time after appearances to sign autographs and meet with fans.
Getty Images/Stephen Dunn
LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers prepares to take the field prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Wild Card Game on January 3, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
Mantua Police
LaDainian Tomlinson with son Daylen, wife LaTorsha and daughter Dalah attend and announcement Tomlinson's retirement from professional football, after signing a one-day contract with the San Diego Chargers and being immediately released by the club, at Qualcomm Stadium on June 18, 2012 in San Diego.
San Diego Chargers
LT holds up a San Diego Chargers jersey with team president Dean Spanos on Monday, June 18, 2012.
Getty Images
Tomlinson celebrates a play against the NY Jets in Jan 2010 with QB Philip Rivers.
Former NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson welcomes runners to the start of LT's Game-Changing 5k Run at Texas Motor Speedway on December 12, 2014.
Getty Images for DirecTV
Former NFL player LaDanian Tomlinson attends the DirecTV Beach Bowl at Pier 40 on February 1, 2014 in New York City.
Getty Images for JCPenney
LaDainian Tomlinson at JCPenney Holiday Event with the Boys & Girls Club on December 2, 2014 in Dallas, Texas.
Getty Images for JCPenney
LaDainian Tomlinson at JCPenney Holiday Event with the Boys & Girls Club on December 2, 2014 in Dallas, Texas.
Getty Images
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JANUARY 30: NFL player LaDainian Tomlinson (L) and LaTorsha Oakley attend ESPN the Party at WestWorld of Scottsdale on January 30, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for ESPN)
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 18: LaDainian Tomlinson announces his retirement from professional football, after signing a one-day contract with the San Diego Chargers and being immediately released by the club, at Qualcomm Stadium on June 18, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)
NBCSanDiego
In an exclusive interview, Tomlinson says he's prepared to retire without a "Super Bowl moment."
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA MAY 11: NFL running back LaDanian Tomlinson pays tribute Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California. Seau, who played for various NFL teams including the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, was found dead in his home on May 2, an apparent suicide. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
Shutterstock
Spanos signs the symbolic contract moments before Tomlinson announced his retirement.
Getty Images
Tomlinson with QB Eli Manning and music mogul Sean Combs in NY April 2010.
NASCAR via Getty Images
LT shows his playful side at USA Network's Necessary Roughness: Theraplay in Times Square on June 29, 2011.
Shutterstock
LaDainian Tomlinson wearing a NY Jets jersey talks with Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan after a game on Dec. 4, 2011.
Getty Images
Tomlinson attends the playing of Halo: Reach on XBOX 360 at the NY Jets Practice Facility.
Getty Images
Images of the Chargers super star on and off the field.
Rey Martínez
LaDainian Tomlinson channeled some of his old magic as he scored twice for the Chargers.
Getty Images
Shutterstock
Getty Images
Mark Sanchez #6 and LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the Jets go head-to-head in celebration.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
EFE
LaDainian Tomlinson with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue after Tomlinson was selected fifth in the NFL Draft - April 2001.
NBC 4 New York
LaDainian Tomlinson could still be the face of North County hospital whether or not he stays a Charger.
Shutterstock
A tearful Tomlinson bids goodbye to San Diego in February 2010.
UNICEF via Getty Images
Tomlinson says if he plays again, it won't be for the Raiders
Getty Images
Getty Images
WOODTV
LaDainian Tomlinson has a new 3-year deal to stay with the Chargers.
After having fun with his friends on the golf course Friday, LaDainian Tomlinson spent part of his weekend of charity events with 350 children who took part in a free football camp. The proceeds raised from the tournament will benefit the "L.T. School is Cool Scholarship Fund", "Tomlinson's Touching Lives Foundation" and "Give Back to Impact Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Brian Bostrom )
Getty Images
After having fun with his friends on the golf course Friday, LaDainian Tomlinson spent part of his weekend of charity events with 350 children who took part in a free football camp. The proceeds raised from the tournament will benefit the "L.T. School is Cool Scholarship Fund", "Tomlinson's Touching Lives Foundation" and "Give Back to Impact Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Brian Bostrom )
LaDainian Tomlinson hosted his annual golf classic with all the proceeds going to his Touching Lives Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Brian Bostrom )
After having fun with his friends on the golf course Friday, LaDainian Tomlinson spent part of his weekend of charity events with 350 children who took part in a free football camp. The proceeds raised from the tournament will benefit the "L.T. School is Cool Scholarship Fund", "Tomlinson's Touching Lives Foundation" and "Give Back to Impact Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Brian Bostrom )
Getty Images
MIAMI - OCTOBER 05: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers sits on the bench with his offensive line while facing the Miami Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium on October 5, 2008 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Chargers 17-10. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
After having fun with his friends on the golf course Friday, LaDainian Tomlinson spent part of his weekend of charity events with 350 children who took part in a free football camp. The proceeds raised from the tournament will benefit the "L.T. School is Cool Scholarship Fund", "Tomlinson's Touching Lives Foundation" and "Give Back to Impact Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Brian Bostrom )
Getty Images
LaDainian Tomlinson and wife LaTorsha arrive to the funeral for Junior Seau on Friday, May 11.
Tomlinson spoke at the memorial service held for former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau.
Getty Images
LaDanian Tomlinson pays tribute to former NFL star Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012
TELEMUNDO LOCAL
In 2007, LaDainian Tomlinson led the Chargers on the field when they met Detroit in San Diego.
Getty Images
