After 11 seasons, LaDainian Tomlinson will announce his retirement from the NFL in a press conference Monday. But before saying goodbye to the league, Tomlinson wanted to share this moment with the team he spent nine seasons creating his greatest memories: the San Diego Chargers. At 32 years old, the Texas native will leave behind a legacy that includes being the fifth all-time leading rusher and holding the record for the third-most touchdowns in NFL history.
Selected fifth overall out of Texas Christian University by the Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft, Tomlinson literally hit the ground running. In his rookie season, he rushed for 1,236 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. In 2003, LT became the first player in the league's history to rush for 1,000 yards and record 100 receptions in the same season. With five Pro Bowl selections, two rushing titles (2006 and 2007), one MVP award (2006) and, during his prime, a well-renowned dominance in Madden that any gamer knows all too well, LaDainian was every bit the all-around back that teams can only dream starting their respective franchises around.
Hopefully, during tomorrow's retirement speech, Tomlinson hits us with his famous touchdown celebration once more for old time's sake.
RELATED: The 100 Greatest Athletes of the Complex Decade
[via ESPN]
