Fare Thee Well Ladainian Tomlinson

As many of you might know, one of the all-time greats has officially hung up his cleats after signing a one-day contract to retire with his original team, the San Diego Chargers, earlier this week. After 11 seasons in the NFL, 9 with the Chargers and 2 with the New York Jets, Ladainian Tomlinson has decided to call it quits to spend more time with his family.

Tomlinson has been on record as saying that he still has some left in the tank and he can still contribute to an NFL team, but that the mind took a beating over time. Some might wonder if he really did have anything left since his numbers had been rapidly declining over the past couple years, and some may wonder if the presence of a certain “holy” quarterback was too much for him to bear. However, the real fans, the one’s who knew his career the best, will undoubtedly assure any doubters that this man deserves to be taken at his word.

In a time of wide receivers named Ochocinco, shirtless divas doing situps in their driveways, wife-beaters, adulterers, and drug addicts, this man was a beacon of light. As one of the classiest and most productive players in the NFL’s storied past, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that LT is a sure-fire first ballot hall of famer. After amassing career totals that place him in the upper echelon of the NFL’s historic figures, any HOF voter who does not route him directly to Canton deserves to have their voting rights taken away. (see stats, records, career rankings, and award below)

I for one have been an 11-year fan of LT’s and he will be sorely missed for many reasons. The obvious is to say that we will miss his productivity, his multiple skill-set, and his ability to attack the goaline like few players ever have, but I will miss his heart and dedication to doing things the right way. Every player who has come across Tomlinson has spoken about his humble demeanor and never has there been someone with an unkind word to say (minus some butt-hurt Raiders fans). It was his class that defined him and ultimately it will be his class for which he will be remembered.

Thanks for the good times LT!

A quick peek at Ladainian Tomlinson’s Career Stats:

And a quick peek at a couple notable Ladainian Tomlinson’s career ranks:

• 5^th in career rushing yards (13,684)
• 5^th in total yards from scrimmage (18,456)
• 3^rd in total career touchdowns (162)
• 2^nd in total rush touchdowns (145)

And a quick peek at Ladainian Tomlinson’s Awards and Honors:

• 5× Pro Bowl (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• 4× First-team All-Pro (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• 2× Second-team All-Pro (2002, 2003)
• 2× NFL rushing leader (2006, 2007)
• AP NFL MVP (2006)
• PFWA NFL MVP (2006)
• Walter Payton Man of the Year (2006)
• Best NFL Player ESPY Award (2007)
• Best Record-Breaking Performance ESPY Award (2007)
• Best Male Athlete ESPY Award (2007)
• Bart Starr Man of the Year Award (2007)
• Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational Player Award (2010)
• NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
• 10,000 Rushing Yards Club
• San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team

And a look at all of Ladainian Tomlinson’s many records:

• Holds the all-time NFL record for single season touchdowns (31).
• Holds the all-time NFL record for single season rushing touchdowns (28).
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most points scored in a single season (186).
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most games with 2+ rushing touchdowns (38).
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most games with 3+ rushing touchdowns (12)
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most games with 200+ yards from scrimmage in a season (5) in 2003
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most games with 18 or more points in a season (6) in 2006
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most games with 16 or more points in a season (6) in 2006
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most games with 14 or more points in a season (6) in 2006 – tied with Don Hutson, 1942
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most games with 12 or more points in a season (10) in 2006 – tied with Priest Holmes, 2003
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most games with 2 or more touchdowns in season (10) in 2006 – tied with Priest Holmes, 2003
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most games with 3 or more touchdowns in season (6) in 2006
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most games with 4 or more touchdowns in season (3) in 2006. – tied with Marshall Faulk, 2000
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (18) 2004–2005
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive games with 2+ rushing touchdowns (8) in 2006
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive games with 3+ rushing touchdowns (3) in 2006
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown (18) 2004–2005. – tied with Lenny Moore, 1963-1965*
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive games 2+ touchdowns (8) in 2006
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive games 3+ touchdowns (4) in 2006
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive games 4+ touchdowns: (2) in 2006 – tied with Marshall Faulk, 2000
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with 1,200+ or more yards rushing (7) 2001–2007
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with 1,300+ or more yards rushing (6) 2002–2007
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 10+ rushing touchdowns (9) 2001–2009
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 11+ rushing touchdowns (8) 2002–2009 – tied with Emmitt Smith 1990–1996, 1998–1999.
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 12+ rushing touchdowns (7) 2002–2007, 2009
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 13+ rushing touchdowns (7) 2002–2007
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 14+ rushing touchdowns (5) 2002, 2004-2007 – tied with Shaun Alexander, 2001–2005
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 15+ rushing touchdowns (4) 2004–2007
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 17+ rushing touchdowns (3) 2004–2006 – tied with Emmitt Smith 1992, 1994–1995
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with 11+ touchdowns (8) 2002–2009
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with 12+ touchdowns (8) 2002–2009
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with 13+ touchdowns (6) 2002–2007
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with 14+ touchdowns (6) 2002–2007
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with 15+ touchdowns (6) 2002–2007
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most consecutive seasons with 16+ touchdowns (5) 2003–2007. – tied with Shaun Alexander 2001-2005
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 17+ touchdowns (5) 2003–2007
• Holds the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 18+ touchdowns (4) 2004–2007
• Shares the all-time NFL record for the most seasons with 20+ touchdowns (2) 2005-2006. -tied with 4 other players