Tomlinson to retire with the Chargers on Monday

The San Diego Chargers said earlier today that LaDainian Tomlinson will re-sign with the team tomorrow and announce his retirement. Tomlinson was with the Chargers from 2001 through the 2009 season, winning the league MVP honor in 2006.

Ceremonious 1 day contracts are nothing new to the NFL. Late last year, another great running back, Fred Taylor, signed a 1 day deal with the Jaguars to retire with the team he was most commonly associated.

Tomlinson was a 5 time Pro Bowler, amassing 13,684 yards on the ground in his career and 145 rushing touchdowns (2nd all time).

Tomlinson was released by the Chargers in early 2010 following a year of elevated tension between Tomlinson and general manager A.J. Smith. Despite the confrontation, Tomlinson was seldom seen as anything but a fierce competitor, and he left everything he had on the football field. Many players come and go, but there are only a few you can point to during any given game and say, "That guy is something special." Tomlinson was one of those players.

Tomlinson never played for a Super Bowl championship in his 11 year career, but he was a fixture in the playoffs for the better part of his career. Even without a championship ring, Tomlinson seems destined to find himself in Canton, Ohio down the road. He played a Hall of Fame caliber career, and we salute him for 11 seasons of great entertainment and competition. His career was nothing short of great, and Canton is where he belongs.

Like TGS on Facebook

Follow TGS on Twitter