In a Thursday interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson acknowledged the inevitable.
He’s played his last down as a Charger.
“I’m not coming back,” Tomlinson said. ”I’ve accepted it.”
LT’s release will likely take place between March 1st and 4th. His $2 million roster bonus is due on the 5th.
“It’s a mixed feeling,” Tomlinson said when asked his thoughts on being released by the team he’s played his whole career for. ”It’s mixed emotions. I’ve spent nine years of my life here, pretty much my youth. I gave the organization everything I have. But there is a part I won’t miss. The football part is fun. But the business part sucks. I won’t miss that.”
Tomlinson will close out his Chargers career with 12,490 rushing yards, the eighth most in league history, and 160 all-purpose touchdowns.
Going on age 31 and coming off a season in which he averaged 3.27 yards per carry, though, his free agent stock will be very limited.
Shawn Alexander, meet LaDainian Tomlinson.
LaDainian, meet Shawn.
You two should be friends.
I bet Pod has a uniform waiting for him. I wonder if anyone will get that joke?
I wouldn’t mind seeing him in purple if the Vikes lose Chester Taylor
Does he really think there won’t be a “business part” with every other team in the NFL? It’s to bad he will be leaving with a bitter taste in his mouth.
Hopefully nobody picks him up and he’ll fade away fast.
Bring him to Denver. Please.
Ok I read this tihnking that the Chargers officially released him and come to find out it is just him running his mouth more. Until the team releases him this is just LT wanting a pitty party in his honor.
Ill take LT for a yr or 2 in Cleveland to help share the load and teach a young RB we draft or even if its with Jerome next yr n draft a rb next yr
He’s been crummy for a while.
The Bolts can put together a team that can lose in the first round of the playoffs.
NORV.
You know what’s not gone?? Florio’s hair. This much I am sure of. Florio has one helluva hair cut.
seattle, denver, detroit, k. city, houston, or chicago.
reggie bush will be cut by the saints and Lt will sign there
regardless of how the past 2 years turned out LT is an all-time great RB and person. i wish him the best.
Look for him to join the Colts or Patriots next season.
Welcome to the life and times of Shaun Alexander…
You can bet that if the price is right Count Davis will surely take a chance and squeeze the last ounce of piss he can out of LT even if only for two games a year………
I guarantee you…his free agent stock wont be damaged…this dude WILL get picked up. Any team would love to have LT. All the people who hate on LT are Choker fans who have turned on their team for not bringing a Super Bowl championship when they were supposed to. I’m a Raider fan…and I wish him the best (did I just say that?). Guess so..
One of the most amazing athletes of our generation. He brought that franchise from being bottom-feeders to respectable, even if he didn’t get a ring.
The haters say he’s soft, but they don’t realize he’s one of the toughest RBs ever – went like 9 seasons to start his career without missing even one game due to injury. Told it like it is – called Belichick out as classless way before the rest of the world realized he was right. Crybaby Baw-ston fans still haven’t gotten over it.
keep him out of the AFC North… unless he signs with the Ravens (but we got 3 great backs already). LT still has plenty of gas in his tank…
I’m afraid that ClayMath52 said a mouthful, but I’d still take him on the Bears for a couple of years.
patriots
End of an era in SD. Best RB of the decade by FAR! Sad to see his career wind down the way it did. Especially since he never missed a game due to injury, then gets injured in the playoffs against the Colts in 07-08. His career has never been the same since that knee injury. People try to chalk it up to being 30, but the dude led the league in rushing at 29, suffers a knee injury, and is instantly not the same RB. It wasn’t the “magic number,” it was the knee injury that just happened to occur when he was 29.
He’s also been a target by the North Eastern media since his Belicheat “classless” comment, which was agreed upon by ESPN when it happened. Sad to see him mocked by the media just coming off a NFL Man of the Year award. The guy is a great guy and one of the greatest RB’s in NFL history.
Hope you get your ring somewhere LT. Thanks for lifting the Chargers out of the cellar and on the verge of becoming a great team.
Sorry to him go. He deserved better from the front office, the ownership, the fair weather fans, and even his haters.
They’d better sign a big, bruising RB that doesn’t needs holes to run, because the Chargers OL won’t provide them.
Whatever happens, he’ll finish as one of the greatest of all time.
LT’s “Class Act” tour continues.
What a cry baby.
# ClayMath52 says: February 4, 2010 5:31 PM
Welcome to the life and times of Shaun Alexander…
———————————————————————-
Unfortunately so. I’m not a Chargers’ fan, but I still like LT. He’s a class act and a stand up guy. He’s been there about as long as Vincent Jackson and Shawne Merriman combined and caused a tiny fraction of the issues those two tools have.
He’s done a lot for the local community and I feel bad for him about this whole situation.
160 touchtowns. his 7 career passing TDs must be included, of course.
I think LT would take a fine liking to Green Bay at this stage in his life.
Shawn Alexander couldn’t caddy for LT in a Pro-Am. Not even close comparo. SA had one excellent year.
A great warrior. A great teammate. An ambassador to the game. A glowing example of how to prepare for and how the game should be played. A pillar in the community. A person with the highest desire to win, not for just himself but the team, the management and the fans.
He will be missed. And the young immature players who didn’t approach the game in the same manner will realize that their performances let LT – yes LT – leave San Diego without the ultimate reward, the SB ring.
Best of luck to one of the greatest living legends.
@ chapnasty…
“Ok I read this tihnking that the Chargers officially released him and come to find out it is just him running his mouth more. Until the team releases him this is just LT wanting a pitty party in his honor.”
You’re pretty stupid, aren’t you… probably uneducated?
If you read the 1st line of the blog, you will notice that this is an excerpt from a San Diego Union-Tribune interview that PFT picked up on. In an interview, people are asked questions, and they provide answers. It’s not as if LT held a press conference to announce to all that he feels he won’t be back!
Is it really that hard to actually READ, and know what you’re writing about, as opposed to just skimming thru an article and commenting about buzz words and phrases?
LT will definitely get a job somewhere (unless he is unreasonable like Marvin Harrison was). It may not be a starting job, but there are a lot of teams that could use his presence.
# this class sucks says: February 4, 2010 5:22 PM
I bet Pod has a uniform waiting for him. I wonder if anyone will get that joke?
Ooh Ooh I get it! I get it! *hands waving*
Podvader has a uniform waiting for everybody. Then two weeks into the season when LT is still averaging 2.2 yards/carry he will be like “See I told you they should cut him,” to Nate and Matthew.
LT is a good person who truly did give his heart for this team and did a great deal for the City of San Diego. Unfortunately his heart and mind wanted to do things his feet could no longer match. Maybe it was the SD O-line, maybe it was the shorter spikes he started wearing to keep his legs from getting torn up, maybe he really did get old, but he isn’t the top dog at his position anymore. The Chargers showed a great deal of loyalty keeping him this past season when he really started slowing down the year before, but it reached a point where he was not cutting it anymore. Force-feeding him the ball against #1 vs. the run Jets Defense did nothing to help us with that game, which was Norv’s fault but I think he was getting a lot of pressure to use LT whenever possible.
Anyway, I’ll miss you LT. You were the man for a long time, my favorite charger for a long time, my favorite FOOTBALL PLAYER for a very long time. I think you should just retire but I know another team will probably take you, if so I hope it works out. But stay out of the AFC WEST! And stay away from those bloodsucking patriots!
sad… very sad time in san diego.
“One of the most amazing athletes of our generation. He brought that franchise from being bottom-feeders to respectable, even if he didn’t get a ring.
The haters say he’s soft, but they don’t realize he’s one of the toughest RBs ever – went like 9 seasons to start his career without missing even one game due to injury. Told it like it is – called Belichick out as classless way before the rest of the world realized he was right. Crybaby Baw-ston fans still haven’t gotten over it.”
What he said. One of the greatest of all time.
LT and the Chargers are and have been the biggest FRAUDS in the NFL for 5 years. They are in a pathetic division and basically start each year 6-0 by default! They get an inflated record and stats because of blowing out the Raiders, Chiefs, Broncos, and then begin to think that they are a factor. LT’s and Merriman’s ridiculous celebrations highlight an era of an arrogant team who will NEVER win a SB! Phillip Rivers yells at other QB’s and fans. What a tool!!! These are the same guys that cried when the Pats beat them and did the Merriman dance! When Shawn Greene immitated the LT celebration it was THE BEST THING EVER! Seriously…how can you lose to the JETS. They cant score!!! All you have to do is keep punting and win 7-3 LOL!!! Only Norvell could botch that one!!! I will give SD credit for owning the Colts, but thats their only claim to fame. Well…At lease I wont have to look at LT sulking on the bench anymore during their annual january tank job with that ridiculous visor on so nobody can see his tears. Hall of Famer…yes, but a LOSER nonetheless!!!
Guy got paid millions to play a game. Going to be retired at age 31. Boo-hoo. I really feel sorry for him as I do all multi-millionaires who complain that life ain’t fair.
He’ll be doing his Electric Glide right here into DC
LewBaller3,
Somehow bro I have a feeling it really sucks to be you. When you blow your brains out one day hopefully you do it on grass or dirt so nobody has to clean up all the blood.
# evilmajortom says: February 4, 2010 5:22 PM
I wouldn’t mind seeing him in purple if the Vikes lose Chester TaylorI wouldn’t mind seeing him in purple if the Vikes lose Chester TaylorI wouldn’t mind seeing him in purple if the Vikes lose Chester Taylor
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IF. i sure hope that doesn’t happen. chester means a lot to the team.
i hope lt rides off into the sunset. guy’s had a hell of a career, and i’ve enjoyed watching him play…
he’s definitely represented texas’ football heritage very well.
Lewballer …deuche says what??
Best of Luck to you LT.
Lewballer3 is retarded. SD hasn’t started 6-0 in the past 10 yrs anyway. LT’s TD celebrations are modest compared to the NFL standard and Rivers hasn’t yelled at anyone in 2 yrs. Merriman has toned his act way down as well.
The beat DAL in DAL, PHI, MIA. Every year they have a ton of injuries but still overachieve.
In the NE game Rivers played with a torn ACL and LT had torn MCL amd Gates was injured and they still made it a game.
The NYJ are frauds, with fat Rex predicting a SB win and Shonn Green acting like a punk rookie b*tch. Learn how to read and spell.
lol! i can’t believe there r so many haters out there!!! maybe it’s just plain jealousy i suppose.carry on.
“Business part sucks” = AJ Smith is an asshole. No ifs ands or buts.
LT, meet Marty. Marty, say hello to LT. You two have much in common. You two should have a couple of adult beverages, talk things over.
LT put the chargers on the map, the fans of the chargers should be ashamed how your treating this guy. I bet you were cheering him when he had 28TDs for your team.
Bye Bye the window is slaming on the bolts
LT crys river crys damn must be something in the water in SD
LT lost his passion for the game several years ago. The last few years he has been a fraud. He WAS a great back. Now only HE believes his line of bullshit.
@bullis
Couldn’t agree with you more…it’s amazing how san diego fans turn on a guy just like that. When he was leading the league in rushing, scoring 4 TD’s every other game, making defenders look silly, etc…you hypocrites were just cheering and cheering. But now y’all can’t wait for him to get released. Yeah, he’s been down the last few years, but he’s getting treated all wrong…simple as that.
I will still not understand how this team didn’t at least get to one Super Bowl.
Must be something wrong in that locker room.
I am waiting for someone to provide one proof that he has any class. He has been nothing but a little spoiled cry baby for the past 2-3 years. Since his skills have diminished he has pouted more and more. Maybe if he would have taken a smaller roll Darren Sprolles would be ready to take over.
LT You Pussy The UFL will/Might take you . Bye Bye …
Dude You watched the AFC Championship Game against the Patsies on the Sideline with a Chipped Toenail…
PUSSY… Your Team Will Never Forgive You.
Cry Baby
visor boy!
not the leader he claims to be.
was a good back but not so now.
he isnt even starter quality.
LT sat during the AFC Championship Game because he was hurt, and there was a very capable back to take his place, Michael Turner.
Sproles didn’t exactly pile on the yards either. It was the O-line’s last of run blocking ability.
Do you haters even watch NFL football?
# Johnnyb612 says: February 4, 2010 5:48 PM
I think LT would take a fine liking to Green Bay at this stage in his life.
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he’s ending his tenure with the chargers, not coming out of the closet…
Take him back to texas and let him rot in that craphole ferry jones built with tax payers money. Lets hope that he lands a HUGE contract in dallass and he is as bad as emmitt was in the tail end of his crap career.
LT WAS great until he started the pouting and developed his attitude. Injuries started slowing him down quickly and Norv had to adopt and develop the passing game since that’s what its all about today. Look at the two Super Bowl contenders, both pass first. Feel bad that the Chargers could not man up and make it this year for him to go out in style. Would not be surprised he ends up in Houston or Big D since he’s a native. LT, good luck and Godspeed.
SD was missing 3 starters on their OL at times and 2 for most of the season. Noone avgd more than 3.5+ ypc. Have really only had one good side for a few yrs.
Some of you fools forget LT had major mileage put on him, 1,800 yds one year and led the team in passes during Marty’s run heavy O. Last few yrs has played with knee, toe, groin injuries sometimes simultaneously so give the crybaby crap a rest.
Not sure exact position 8? but is in the top 10 anyway in total yardage and only 31.
“# Pauli The Hook says: February 4, 2010 8:31 PM
LT You Pussy The UFL will/Might take you . Bye Bye …
Dude You watched the AFC Championship Game against the Patsies on the Sideline with a Chipped Toenail…
PUSSY… Your Team Will Never Forgive You.
Cry Baby”
Yeah, how did your NFL career work out for you, tough guy?
Not a Bolts fan but LT has been a great RB. He’s 31 and has 200,000 miles on the clock. Not a lot of RBs would do better.
No way u can compare LT and Shaun Alexander! whoever is ding that are complete Tards.LT is a ton better then Shaun Alexander ever was
Of course Lawrence Taylor is gone, he’s been retired for well over a decade and a half.
If you’re referring to this imposter LadyNaian, it is certainly Karmic justice that this asswad will cry off into the sunset without having winning a Super Bowl ring, or even having a sniff of playing in the Super Bowl.
The downside? That this sack of crap could eventually find his way onto a TV screen and infest the tv watching public with his jealous, bitter propaganda, i.e. Marshall Faulk.
LT should have been treated as was Tony Gwynn by the Padres. By the time Tony retired, he was but a shell of what he once was. But the Padres, to their great credit, knew that Tony was not just any other play so they paid him a pittance to stay in SD–for all twenty years of his career. I was hoping the Chargers would do the same for LT, but no such luck.
LT, thank you for the memories. Your game, professionalism, work ethic, good deeds, and conduct on and off the field will be very sorely missed.
I wish you and your wife all the best, especially with the impending arrival of Baby T.
He’s totally going to get picked up by Oggi’s in FA
Electrogasm says:
A great warrior. A great teammate. An ambassador to the game. A glowing example of how to prepare for and how the game should be played. A pillar in the community. A person with the highest desire to win, not for just himself but the team, the management and the fans.
He will be missed. And the young immature players who didn’t approach the game in the same manner will realize that their performances let LT – yes LT – leave San Diego without the ultimate reward, the SB ring.
Best of luck to one of the greatest living legends.
————————————————-
Dude, put down the crack pipe. seriously.
Tomlinson was a spoiled “me first” pussy-ass whiner whose better days are in the rearview mirror.
OntBoltFan says:
February 4, 2010 7:31 PM
The beat DAL in DAL, PHI, MIA. Every year they have a ton of injuries but still overachieve.
How is winning your division every year with a pro bowl QB and HOF RB and NO superbowl apperances overachivement?! LOL!!! I guess Charger Fans have low expectations…LOL!!!
The problem is that after making that sort of money he’s not going to be excited to play for a lot less. And no team is paying him RB starter dollars.
I’m guessing he’s done.
Too bad he had to go out bitter… but a lot of them do.
Ha ha ha ha!!! FAKE LT will never win a title ans he’s no shoe in for the HOF!
Lewballer3 says:
February 5, 2010 4:15 AM
How is winning your division every year with a pro bowl QB and HOF RB and NO superbowl apperances overachivement?! LOL!!! I guess Charger Fans have low expectations…LOL!!!
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Oh so now they are stars not frauds? They made the playoffs last year with a pass D due to injuries that ranked almost dead last in the league.
This year 13-3 beating good and bad teams with a D ranked in the middle. Also went to the AFC final with one of the youngest rosters in the league. Over achieving all. Next time do your own research.
I hope L.T. does to the chargers what Marcus Allen did to my raiders. I wouldn’t mind having L.T. becoming a raider. If Marcus Allen could become a chief, L.T. could become a raider. He was the guy that built the win streak the chargers have over the raiders, it’s only fitting that he’s the one that breaks it. I’d cut Fargas for Ladainian.