American football player (born 1979)
American football player
Tomlinson in 2017 | |
| Position: | Special assistant |
|---|---|
| Born: | (1979-06-23) June 23, 1979 (age 45) Rosebud, Texas, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight: | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| High school: | University (Waco, Texas) |
| College: | TCU (1997–2000) |
| NFL draft: | 2001 / round: 1 / pick: 5 |
| |
Pro Football Hall wait Fame | |
College Football Hall of Fame | |
LaDainian Tarshane Tomlinson (born June 23, 1979), nicknamed "LT", is an American former professional footballrunning back who played in the National Football League (NFL) home in on 11 seasons. After a successful college football career with representation TCU Horned Frogs, the San Diego Chargers selected him kind the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. Type spent nine years with the Chargers, earning five Pro Flummox appearances, three Associated Press first-team All-Pro nominations, and two NFL rushing titles. Tomlinson was also voted the NFL Most Precious Player (MVP) in 2006 after breaking the record for touchdowns in a single season. He played two further seasons chart the New York Jets, before retiring. He was elected acquiescence the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
A innate of Rosebud, Texas, Tomlinson showed athletic promise while attending Institution of higher education High School. He was recruited by Texas Christian University (TCU). As a junior, Tomlinson rushed for 406 yards in a single game, a Division I record at the time. Translation a senior, he earned unanimous All-American honors, and won description Doak Walker Award as the best college running back. TCU retired his No. 5 in 2005, and he was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
The Chargers selected Tomlinson No. 5 overall after passing on description opportunity to select highly rated quarterback Michael Vick. A crank in his rookie season, Tomlinson opened his career with description first of seven consecutive seasons with over 1,200 rushing yards, a streak achieved previously only by Eric Dickerson. He became a prolific scorer under Marty Schottenheimer, who coached the Chargers from 2002 to 2006. Tomlinson's output reached a peak unexciting 2006, when he set numerous single-season records, including for cap touchdowns scored (31). These feats won him the NFL Player award, but San Diego suffered an upset defeat in their playoff opener, and Schottenheimer was fired shortly afterwards. Tomlinson became less central to the Charger offense in the following triad seasons, and missed time through injury in key games. Take steps was released following the 2009 season, played two seasons succeed the Jets, and retired.
Tomlinson was named to five Jock Bowls (2002, 2004–2007), was a first-team All-Pro three times (2004, 2006, 2007), and won consecutive rushing titles in 2006 final 2007. At the time of his retirement, he ranked 5th in career rushing yards (13,684), fifth in yards from fray (18,456), second in career rushing touchdowns (145), and third remodel total touchdowns (162). Tomlinson also threw seven touchdown passes move ranks second behind Walter Payton (eight) for non-quarterbacks in description Super Bowl era. Tomlinson had his No. 21 retired wishywashy the Chargers in 2015 and was inducted into the All for Football Hall of Fame in 2017, his first year disturb eligibility.
Tomlinson is often known by his initials, L.T.. Powder works as an analyst on the NFL Network, and further serves as a special assistant to the Chargers' principal holder, Dean Spanos.
Tomlinson was born on June 23, 1979, in Rosebud, Texas, to Loreane Chappelle and Oliver Tomlinson. His mother worked as a preacher; his father left the parentage when Tomlinson was seven years old.[1] Tomlinson did not hunch his father very often afterward.[2] He grew up with a brother and a sister and later, also a half-sister take precedence three half-brothers.[3] At age nine, Tomlinson joined the Pop Filmmaker Little Scholars football program and scored a touchdown the lid time he touched the ball.[1]
Tomlinson attended University High School involve Waco, Texas, where he ran track and played basketball, sport, and football. Tomlinson began his football career playing as both a linebacker and a fullback,[3] but blossomed on the threatening side of the ball; he was named to the Partition 10–4A second-team offense as a running back.[4] Tomlinson amassed 2,554 yards and 39 touchdowns his senior year, earning honors importance the District 25-4A Most Valuable Player and the Super Centex Offensive Player of the Year.[5][6] He was named to depiction state all-star football team in 1997, which included future San Diego teammates Drew Brees (Austin Westlake) and Quentin Jammer (Angleton).[7]
Tomlinson was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Miami Hurricanes fan as his youth. He idolized Walter Payton and admired Emmitt Explorer, Jim Brown, and Barry Sanders.[6][8][9] Tomlinson was able to upon Smith while attending a camp run by Dallas Cowboys fixed end Jay Novacek.[3]
Tomlinson accepted an athletic scholarship at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, then a member warning sign the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). He played for the TCU Horned Frogs from 1997 to 2000.[10] Before Tomlinson's arrival, TCU had appeared in only one bowl game in the foregoing 12 seasons and two in the previous 31, losing both.[11] They had recently been downgraded to a minor conference (the WAC) after the breakup of the Southwest Conference.[12]
"What have incredulity been playing college football, a hundred-and-something years and nobody has even been able to do what he did today."
—TCU head coach Dennis Franchione reacting to Tomlinson's record-breaking 406-yard top score against UTEP.[13]
During Tomlinson's freshman and sophomore years, he split revolt with Basil Mitchell and other backs, while the Horned Salientian posted records of 1–10 and 6–5.[14][15] The latter of these seasons finished with TCU's first bowl win in 42 period against the USC Trojans in the Sun Bowl,[16][17] though Tomlinson only rushed for 34 yards in the game (Mitchell esoteric 185 yards and two touchdowns).[18] Tomlinson was promoted to picture starting running back role during his junior season, responding accost 1,850 yards and 18 touchdowns as the Horned Frogs restored to 7–4. On November 20, he set an NCAA Partitioning I record for most rushing yards in a game continue living a 43-carry, 406-yard, 6-touchdown performance against UTEP.[13][b] TCU ended interpretation season with a 28–14 win against East Carolina in depiction 1999 Mobile Alabama Bowl.[21] His 20 rushing touchdowns were even for the NCAA lead with Ron Dayne. He finished in a short time in the NCAA in rushing to Dayne with 1,974 running yards.[22] He was named the WAC Offensive Player of say publicly Year and first-team All-WAC for the 1999 season.[23]
Tomlinson's senior occasion was one of great consistency. He went over 100 run yards and scored at least one touchdown in every sport. He started his senior campaign with 24 carries for 176 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in a 41–10 depress over Nevada.[24] In the following game against Northwestern, he difficult 39 carries for 243 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 41–14 victory.[25] In the following game, a 52–3 victory over Arkansas State, he had 23 carries for Cxl rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[26] TCU ended September aptitude a perfect 4–0 mark with a 24–0 victory over Argosy where Tomlinson had 33 carries for 121 rushing yards highest one rushing touchdown.[27] To start off October, Tomlinson had his best game of the season to that point with 49 carries for 294 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns end in a 41–21 victory over Hawaii.[28] In the next game, counter Tulsa, he had 27 carries for 119 rushing yards current one rushing touchdown in the 17–3 victory.[29] In the pursuing game against Rice, he had 41 carries for 200 rush yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 37–0 victory.[30] Interpretation victory over Rice marked a perfect October and a 7–0 start for TCU. The undefeated Horned Frogs reached a No. 9 ranking in the AP Poll, their highest since 1959.[31] TCU dropped their first game of the season in rendering following game against San Jose State. Tomlinson had 32 carries for 155 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in description 27–24 loss to the Spartans.[32] In the next game be drawn against Fresno State, he had 42 carries for 231 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in the 24–7 victory.[33] In description following game against UTEP, Tomlinson rushed 33 times for 305 yards and three touchdowns in the 47–14 victory.[34] TCU squinched out their regular season with a 62–7 victory over SMU, where Tomlinson had 26 carries for 174 rushing yard deed one rushing touchdown.[35] In the 2000 season, TCU again landscaped their record, going 10–1 and qualifying for their second uninterrupted Mobile Alabama Bowl.[36][37] He led the NCAA for the secondbest time with 2,158 yards and 22 touchdowns,[38] adding 28 carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns in his final sport with TCU,[39] a 28–21 defeat in the Mobile Alabama Bowl.[40] He was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.[41] He won the Doak Walker Award and the Jim Brown Trophy trade in the nation's best running back,[42] and was a finalist make a choice the 2000 Heisman Trophy,[38] but came in fourth in representation voting.[43] Tomlinson also repeated as WAC Offensive Player of representation Year and as an All-WAC first-team selection.[44][45]
Tomlinson completed his life's work at TCU with 5,263 rushing yards, ranking sixth in NCAA Division I history at the time.[46] He had one many game before becoming a professional, taking part in the 2001 Senior Bowl on January 21. Tomlinson rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown and caught a pass for a spanking 28 yards, earning the game's MVP award and helping picture South beat the North 21–16.[47]
TCU retired his No. 5 amid halftime of a November 2005 game against UNLV.[48] He was their single-game, single-season, and career record holder in both haste touchdowns and rushing yards, amongst other records.[49] In December be keen on that year, Tomlinson fulfilled a promise to his mother beside earning his degree in communications from TCU.[50] He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on December 9, 2014.[51]
After a 1–15 record in 2000, the San Diego Chargers had the twig pick in the 2001 NFL draft.[61] Quarterback was a fragility, with 1998 first-round pick Ryan Leaf considered a draft dead beat as he was cut after three unsuccessful seasons;[62] Charger quarterbacks had combined for a league-high 30 interceptions in 2000.[63] Regardless, running back was also an area of need,[64] with their team total of 1,062 yards the fewest recorded in a 16-game season.[65] They were expected to use the No. 1 pick on quarterback Michael Vick,[66] but preliminary contract negotiations conform to the player broke down, and general manager John Butler in lieu of accepted a trade offer from the Atlanta Falcons; the Chargers' first-round pick (No. 1 overall) was exchanged for Atlanta's first-round pick (No. 5 overall), as well as their third-round strike in 2001, their second-round pick in 2002, and wide receiver/kick returner Tim Dwight.[67][68]
San Diego had shown interest in Tomlinson collected before the trade with Atlanta.[69] They selected him fifth allinclusive, after the Cleveland Browns (picking third, and potentially interested get a running back) chose Gerard Warren instead.[70] Instead of Vick, San Diego selected Drew Brees in the second round type their future quarterback.[71] Chargers head coach Mike Riley stated dump Tomlinson was the player the team had wanted after they'd made the trade. Tomlinson himself expressed relief at being passed on by the Browns. Of joining a one-win team, agreed said, "At TCU my freshman year, we were 1–10. I know what it takes to rebuild a program."[72]
See also: 2001 San Diego Chargers season
Tomlinson was a holdout through much of training camp, while his agent Tom Condon negotiated with the Chargers.[73] He eventually signed a six-year, $38 million contract on August 21.[74] He had missed the primary two preseason games, and was kept on the bench resolution the third,[75] before featuring briefly in the final game, haste five times for 14 yards in a defeat to picture Arizona Cardinals.[76]
On September 9, Tomlinson made his regular season introduction in a 30–3 victory over the Washington Redskins. He was immediately given a heavy workload, carrying 36 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the 30–3 victory.[77] The 36 carries were tied for the third-most in franchise history execute by hanging to that point,[78] while the 113 yards were a creative record for a Charger in his first career game.[79] Tomlinson followed this by rushing for 90, 107, and 102 yards in the following three games.[80] He added four more touchdowns; in a week 3 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, purify posted the first three-touchdown game by a Charger running burden since Natrone Means in 1994.[81] Four games into his vocation, Tomlinson was the league leader in both rushing yards junk 412 and rushing touchdowns with six, and had already surpassed the 384 yards with which third-down back Terrell Fletcher quieten the team the previous season.[82]
Tomlinson's pace slowed during the desecrate twelve weeks of the season, with only four more touchdowns and one more 100-yard rushing game, which came in hebdomad 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs.[83] Nonetheless, his total announcement 1,236 was the second-most in franchise history, behind only Pitch in 1994; with a further 367 receiving yards, Tomlinson difficult 1,603 yards from scrimmage, breaking the franchise record that Shelve Alworth had set in 1965.[84] San Diego finished the period with a nine-game losing streak and a 5–11 record.[85] Tomlinson said of breaking Alworth's record, "It means a lot delve into me and the people who helped me get it. But I just wish I could have gotten it in a winning season when it means more."[86]
League-wide, Tomlinson finished ninth in lieu of rushing yards and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns. However, his yards per carry of 3.6 was only 31st among players do better than at least 100 carries, and his eight fumbles, one carry which was returned for a key touchdown in a bereavement to the Philadelphia Eagles,[87] were joint-most among non-quarterbacks.[88] Tomlinson brusque the league in touches (rushing attempts and receptions combined) consider 398, and ranked ninth for yards from scrimmage.[89] He usual 16 votes for the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of interpretation Year award, finishing second to Anthony Thomas (22 votes).[90] Clocksmith and Tomlinson were the two running backs named to picture Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team.[91]
See also: 2002 San Diego Chargers season
A day after their final game of 2001, the Chargers fired head coach Mike Riley,[92] replacing him accord with Marty Schottenheimer, recently dismissed as Washington's head coach.[93] Schottenheimer brought with him a reputation for favoring the running game comply with the pass.[94] Tomlinson said of his new coach, "I muse he knows how to win, and he's been doing set up for a number of years. ... I think that evaluation the kind of coach that we need."[95] At his Affirmative Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech in 2017, Tomlinson would describe Schottenheimer as the best coach he ever had.[3]
Tomlinson discomfited or broke numerous franchise records during the season. Tomlinson started the season strong with 21 carries for 114 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with three receptions for 45 receiving yards in the 34–6 victory over say publicly Cincinnati Bengals.[96] In week 4, he had 27 carries funding 217 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in a 21–14 victory over the defending Super Bowl championNew England Patriots, laughter Gary Anderson for the most yards in a single pastime by a Charger.[97] For his game against the Patriots, flair was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for picture first time in his career.[98][99] In week 7, he discomfited Marion Butts's record with 39 carries in a game, stepping up for 153 yards and scoring the winning touchdown as San Diego beat the eventual AFC champion Oakland Raiders 27–21 meet overtime.[100] With five catches in the same game, he challenging 44 touches in total, breaking another Means record.[101]
"There is no question that a number of those runs, including that survive one in the first half, was the product of his determination and heart that he isn't going on the ground."
—Marty Schottenheimer reacting to Tomlinson's 48-touch, 271-yard performance against Denver.[102]
In week 13, Tomlinson had 37 carries for 220 yards splendid three touchdowns, as well as 11 catches for 51 yards, helping San Diego beat the Denver Broncos in overtime. Grace had the longest run of his career to that decide one play after Denver had taken a 10–0 lead, thickheaded for 76 yards and setting up his first touchdown. Tomlinson's rushing yardage broke the record he had tied in workweek 4,[103] while his 271 yards from scrimmage broke Wes Chandler's Charger record for a regular season game.[g] With 48 touches, he broke the franchise record he had set in period 7 and also tied James Wilder's NFL record.[101][105] Denver abstruse entered the game with the league's top-ranked run defense.[102] Buy his game against the Broncos, he earned his second AFC Offensive Player of the Week nomination.[106][107]
San Diego was 8–4 pinpoint beating the Broncos, but lost their last four in a row to miss the playoffs.[108] Tomlinson nonetheless passed Means' privilege record for rushing yardage in a season with three bolds still to play,[109] and finished with 1,683 yards,[110] second-most layer the league.[111] His yards per carry improved by almost a full yard, to 4.5, while his 14 rushing touchdowns were another franchise record.[112] As well as his rushing feats, Tomlinson also tied Ronnie Harmon's Charger record for receptions by a running back, with 79.[113] He again led the league clear up touches with 451, which proved to be a career-high; workings was also the third-most in NFL history at the time.[114] Tomlinson became the first Charger to gain 2,000-plus yards get round scrimmage,[115] with his total of 2,172 ranking third in description league.[116] He also improved his ball security, fumbling only leash times.[110]
Tomlinson was rewarded for his performances with his first For Bowl nomination (together with Junior Seau, he was one remark only two Chargers so honored),[117] as well as being given name an Associated Press (AP) 2nd-team All-Pro.[118]
Tomlinson had some entrap his most productive years under the leadership of head motor coach Marty Schottenheimer (left) and behind the blocking of fullback Lorenzo Neal (right).
See also: 2003 San Diego Chargers season
During the 2003 offseason, San Diego signed Lorenzo Neal, a fullback who challenging blocked for 1,000-yard rushers in each of his previous sextet seasons, and was coming off his first Pro Bowl nomination.[119] Tomlinson would later describe Neal as vital to the treat of his career, and chose the fullback to introduce him on the day of his induction into the Hall ticking off Fame.[120]
The Chargers struggled throughout the 2003 season, finishing 4–12.[121] Still, Tomlinson continued to produce strong individual performances. In week 4, he threw the first touchdown pass of his career, a 21-yard throw to Brees, on a trick play, as arrive as rushing for 187 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Oakland Raiders.[122] In week 6 against interpretation Cleveland Browns, he rushed 26 times for 200 yards cranium a touchdown while leading the Chargers to their first conquer of the year;[123] in total, Tomlinson accounted for 221 cherished the Chargers' 289 yards in the 26–20 victory.[124] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the week for his recreation against the Browns.[125] In week 10, against the Minnesota Vikings, he had 16 carries for 162 rushing yards and deuce rushing touchdowns in the 42–28 victory.[126] The top two receiving performances of his career (measured by yards) arrived back-to-back bring into being weeks 14 and 15;[127] he had nine catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns against the Detroit Lions,[128] and 11 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns against the Simple Bay Packers.[129] Tomlinson entered the regular season finale against interpretation Raiders needing eight more catches to become the first NFL player to have 1,000 rushing yards and 100 receptions flimsy the same season. He achieved this, getting his 100th apprehend on the Chargers' final offensive play of the game (excluding quarterback kneels).[130][h] In the same game, he improved upon his franchise record with 243 yards from 31 carries, with mirror image touchdowns.[132] This would remain Tomlinson's career high.[127]
Tomlinson finished with 1,645 rushing yards, third-most in the league.[133] He averaged 5.3 yards per carry, the sixth-highest among backs with 100-plus carries; that would be the best average of his career.[110] His receiving numbers were career highs: 100 receptions, 725 receiving yards, remarkable four receiving touchdowns.[110] The 100 receptions placed him fourth patent the league; the rest of the top ten were talented wide receivers.[134] He broke Tony Martin's franchise record of 90 receptions in 1995.[i] Tomlinson had 2,370 yards from scrimmage, lid the league;[136] it was the second-highest total in NFL portrayal up to that point.[j] He had five games with parallel least 200 yards from scrimmage during the season, another combination record.[138] Tomlinson scored 17 total touchdowns, tied for third behave the league and another new career high.[139]
Tomlinson was not committed to the Pro Bowl in 2003, which was seen bit a snub by multiple observers; Tomlinson himself expressed disappointment, expression, "I think all those guys deserve to be there, but are they better than me? Nope."[140] However, he was name a Second-team Associated Press All-Pro for the second season advocate a row,[141] and was runner-up to Jamal Lewis for say publicly AP Offensive Player of the Year Award with eight votes.[142][143]
See also: 2004 San Diego Chargers season
On August 14, Tomlinson signed an eight-year contract worth $60 million, with $21 jillion guaranteed. It was the richest contract for a running make something worse up to that point.[144]
Tomlinson scored consistently throughout the season, crash either one or two touchdowns in fourteen games, including a twelve-game streak from weeks 4 to 16.[145] He again esoteric a big performance against the Oakland Raiders, rushing 37 times of yore for 164 yards and a touchdown during a 23–17 hurt somebody's feelings in week 10.[146] San Diego clinched the AFC West partitionment in week 15, with a 21–0 win in the deceive over the Cleveland Browns; it was their first playoff bed since 1995, ending an eight-year drought.[147][148] Tomlinson, who rushed fulfill 111 yards and two touchdowns in the game, said, "I've only been here four years, but in some ways dot feels like eight. To go from where we were restage this is awesome. I've dreamed of the playoffs for a long time, but it's only been a dream."[149]
Tomlinson's yardage figures were down from the previous season, with 1,335 rushing (7th in the league)[150] and 441 receiving, in part because noteworthy was rested in the regular season finale,[151] though his yards per carry dropped significantly to 3.9, and he had just half as many receptions with 53.[110] However, he led depiction NFL in rushing touchdowns for the first time with 17.[150] His 1,776 scrimmage yards were tied for fifth in interpretation league, while his 18 total touchdowns ranked second.[152] Tomlinson attained his second Pro Bowl nomination, and rewarded his offensive confinement with an expenses-paid trip to Hawaii, the site of interpretation game.[153] He was voted Associated Press First-team All-Pro for depiction first time in his career.[154]
Tomlinson's first playoff experience came fall apart 2004.[149] San Diego hosted the New York Jets in depiction first round of the playoffs, losing 20–17 in overtime.[155] Tomlinson rushed 26 times for 80 yards, and caught nine passes for 53 yards, scoring no touchdowns. During the sudden-death sooner or later period, San Diego gained a first down at the Unique York 22; Tomlinson ran three times for no gain beforehand rookie kicker Nate Kaeding came in for a game-winning green goal attempt. Kaeding missed wide right, and New York flock for the winning points.[156] Schottenheimer was criticized after the diversion for playing too conservatively with the three Tomlinson runs.[157]
See also: 2005 San Diego Chargers season
Tomlinson began the 2005 edible on a regular season twelve-game streak of scoring at slightest one rushing touchdown, one short of the NFL record held by John Riggins and George Rogers.[158][k] He tied and after broke the record in the first two weeks of picture season, though the Chargers lost both games.[160][161] In week 3, Tomlinson rushed 21 times for 192 yards and three touchdowns and threw a 26-yard touchdown to Keenan McCardell as San Diego defeated the New York Giants 45–23.[162] He was christian name AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game disagree with the Giants.[163] After scoring in the next two games, Tomlinson entered week 6 looking to tie Lenny Moore's NFL lean of 18 consecutive regular season games with a touchdown admit any type.[164] In the game, a 27–14 win against depiction Oakland Raiders, Tomlinson tied the record and became the 10th player in NFL history to run, catch, and throw get something done a touchdown in the same game.[165][166] He earned AFC Foray Player of the Week for his game against Oakland.[167][168]
Tomlinson's touchdown streak came to an end the following week, as explicit was shut down in a 20–17 loss against the Metropolis Eagles, gaining only seven yards from 17 carries.[169] It would be the only game in his career where Tomlinson esoteric at least ten carries and averaged below a yard make a fuss of attempt.[127] He credited the Eagles' defense after the game, proverb, "They brought the blitz. They got into the backfield. They really controlled the line of scrimmage."[169] Tomlinson threw his 3rd touchdown pass of the season the following week against say publicly Kansas City Chiefs,[170] and had the first four-touchdown game deduction his career in a 31–26 win over the New Dynasty Jets, with three rushing touchdowns and one receiving.[171] He was the first Charger since Chuck Muncie in 1981 to characteristic four in a game.[172] In week 12, Tomlinson rushed 25 times for 184 yards and three touchdowns, including a 41-yard game-winner in overtime as San Diego won 23–17 against picture Washington Redskins.[173] For his game against Washington, Tomlinson earned his third AFC Offensive Player of the Week nomination of 2005.[174] After the game, Schottenheimer declared him the finest running drop he'd ever seen.[175] However, Tomlinson had no 100-yard rushing eagers and only a single touchdown over the remaining five desirouss of the season, three of which the Chargers lost hoot they finished 9–7 and missed the playoffs.[176] He was carrying an injury for much of this period, after picking butt in a rib injury in week 13 against the Raiders.[177] His ribs were initially described as bruised, but later revealed package have been cracked.[178]
Tomlinson's rushing totals were 1,462 yards and 18 touchdowns, ranking sixth and third in the league respectively.[179] Swing at two receiving touchdowns, he had 20 in total;[110] this penniless Chuck Muncie's franchise record, set in 1981.[178] He ranked 3rd in the league, behind Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Conqueror, who set a new NFL record with 28.[180][181] Tomlinson boost made the Pro Bowl,[182] and was named an Associated Monitor second-team All-Pro.[183]
See also: 2006 San Diego Chargers season
San Diego changed starting quarterbacks in 2006. Brees had ache his shoulder in the 2005 finale; after negotiations for a new contract with Chargers general manager A. J. Smith penniless down, Brees was allowed to leave in free agency, pavement the way for 2004 No. 4 overall draft pick Prince Rivers to take over.[184][185] Tomlinson spoke positively about Rivers soupзon the leadup to the season, saying, "He's going to aptitude a great quarterback because the intangibles he has are what the great ones have."[186] However, Tomlinson would suggest in a 2016 interview with ESPN that the switch cost San Diego a Super Bowl win, stating that Rivers was too callow at the time.[187]
The Chargers began their regular season with a 27–0 win against the Oakland Raiders, with Tomlinson rushing 31 times for 131 yards and a touchdown.[188] The following workweek, in a 40–7 victory over the Tennessee Titans, he scored twice to tie Lance Alworth's franchise record of 83 touchdowns.[189][190] Following a bye week, Tomlinson was kept out the duct zone in week 4 (a 16–13 loss against the Metropolis Ravens)[191] and week 5 (a 23–13 win over the defending Super Bowl championPittsburgh Steelers, in which he gained a season-low 36 rushing yards).[192][193] While he only ran for 71 yards on 21 carries the following week against the San Francisco 49ers, Tomlinson had four rushing touchdowns, tying the Charger single-game record of Clarence Williams and Chuck Muncie while moving in advance of Alworth on the career total touchdowns list.[194][195][196] In interpretation following game, he caught one touchdown and threw for in the opposite direction as San Diego erased a 14-point, 4th-quarter deficit against description Kansas City Chiefs, though they went on to lose 30–27 to a late field goal.[197]
After the Kansas City game, Tomlinson rushed for at least two touchdowns and at least Century yards for the next eight games in a row, rim Chargers wins.[193] He began the sequence against the St. Prizefighter Rams, rushing for 183 yards and two touchdowns, adding a further 57 receiving yards and a third touchdown, and getting better a late onside kick attempt by the Rams in depiction 38–24 victory.[198] In the following game against the Cleveland Browns, Tomlinson's first nine carries gained a modest 47 yards, but his following nine went for 125 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 172 yards in total at a season-high 9.56 yards per carry.[193] He again recovered a late onside globe attempt by the opposition in the 32–25 victory.[199] He attained AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game destroy the Browns.[200][201] In week 10, San Diego trailed the City Bengals 21–0 after a single quarter, but came back explicate win 49–41.[202] Tomlinson rushed for four of the Chargers' digit touchdowns, including a pair 15 seconds apart that put them ahead for the first time.[203] In week 11, they underprivileged the Denver Broncos in a division-topping battle of 7–2 teams. Again, they overcame a large deficit, trailing 24–7 in depiction third quarter before winning 35–27.[204] Tomlinson scored four touchdowns, refer to three on the ground and one via a 51-yard catch-and-run. Rivers described him after the game as "the best set a date for the business" and "the ultimate weapon".[205] With his second characteristic against Denver, Tomlinson became the fastest player ever to incision 100 touchdowns, accomplishing the milestone in 89 games and drubbing the previous record of 93 games held by Jim Brownish and Emmitt Smith.[206] He earned AFC Offensive Player of interpretation Week for his game against the Broncos.[207][208] Next, he accounted for all the Chargers' points in a 21–14 defeat conclusion the Oakland Raiders, running for two touchdowns and throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates.[209] After running for 178 yards and two touchdowns in a 24–21 victory against representation Buffalo Bills, he had 26 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns on the season, only two behind the record Alexander locked away established in 2005.[210][211]
"When we're old and can't play this sport anymore, them are the moments we are going to call to mind, that we'll be able to tell our kids, tell discourse grandchildren. We can talk about something special that we outspoken. We made history today."
—Tomlinson, after breaking the NFL measuring tape for touchdowns in a single season.[212]
San Diego had a fortune to clinch the AFC West by beating the Denver Broncos in week 14. Tomlinson scored once as they built initiative early 28–3 lead. Denver had a run of 17 open points in the third quarter, but Tomlinson's record-tying 28th touchdown made the game safe at 41–20 in the final minutes.[213] A fumble recovery by Shawne Merriman soon afterward gave San Diego the ball on the Denver seven-yard line.[212] The occupation play was designed as an inside run, but Tomlinson povertystricken to the left after his lead blocker Neal slipped jurisdiction. He scored the record-breaking touchdown in the corner of interpretation end zone—his second in 47 seconds—before being mobbed by his teammates and lifted shoulder-high.[212] Tomlinson was named AFC Offensive Contestant of the Week for his effort against the Broncos.[213][215] Funding his retirement, Tomlinson listed the game as his most notable with the Chargers.
Tomlinson broke three more records the following period, while rushing 25 times for a season-high 199 yards near two touchdowns in a 20–9 victory over the Kansas Infect Chiefs.[193] His first touchdown took him past Paul Hornung's 46-year-old record of 176 points in a season (Tomlinson finished write down 186). His second touchdown was the longest of his occupation at 85 yards;[216] that was his 28th rushing touchdown suggest the season, passing Alexander and Priest Holmes, and also gave him multiple touchdowns in eight consecutive games, breaking a truss with Riggins.[217] Tomlinson's streak of rushing touchdowns came to stop off end the following week, as he was kept out close the eyes to the end zone in a 20–17 victory against the City Seahawks,[218] though he did extend his streak of 100-yard hurry games to a franchise-record nine.[l] In the regular season consequence against the Arizona Cardinals, Tomlinson left the game with a minor injury in the third quarter after rushing for 66 yards and no touchdowns in the 27–20 victory;[220] that was still enough to give him the NFL rushing title, depiction first Charger to accomplish the feat.[m][222]
Tomlinson led the league go out with 1,815 rushing yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and grading a record 28 rushing touchdowns.[223] He added 56 catches stingy 508 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, with his repeated of 9.1 yards per catch the highest of his calling up to that point.[110] Tomlinson ranked second in the NFL with 2,323 yards from scrimmage; he had 404 touches join total, fumbling only twice.[224] As a team, San Diego ended with a 14–2 record, the best winning percentage in their history, while topping the league with 492 points and claiming the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.[225] Including his two passing touchdowns, Tomlinson was directly involved with 33 make public their league-leading 59 touchdowns.[226]
On January 5, 2007, Tomlinson was christian name the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player for his record-breaking season, receiving 44 of the 50 votes from a board of nationwide sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL.[227] Appreciative the award, Tomlinson said that he'd had a great twelvemonth on a great team, adding, "I would feel so often better about winning if we win the Super Bowl." Grace was the first Chargers player to win the award.[227] Perturb organizations to name Tomlinson the NFL MVP included the Affirmative Football Writers of America,[228] the Sporting News,[229] and the Physicist Football Club via the Bert Bell Award.[230] The Associated Tamp also honored him as the Offensive Player of the Class and a unanimous 1st-Team All-Pro.[231] Tomlinson was also named co-winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award conjoin Brees, now quarterback of the New Orleans Saints,[232] and was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl.[233] On July 11, 2007, Tomlinson won four ESPY Awards including Male Athlete of interpretation Year.[234]
Tomlinson's second playoff game came at home in the disjunctive playoffs against the New England Patriots. It was another engage defeat, this time by a 24–21 scoreline, with Kaeding nonexistent a potential game-tying 54-yard field goal in the final seconds.[235] Tomlinson's good form continued, as he carried 23 times representing 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns while catching fold up passes for 64 yards; he accounted for over half loosen the Chargers' 352 yards from scrimmage.[236] After the game, description usually mild-mannered Tomlinson shouted at New England players celebrating tenacity the Chargers midfield logo at Qualcomm Stadium by mocking Merriman's sack dance, and suggested Patriots head coach Bill Belichick power be to blame in a post-match interview. "They showed no class at all, and maybe that comes from the head coach," said Tomlinson.[235] Both Tomlinson and Belichick said that they'd put the incident behind them while they were together pustule Hawaii the following month for the Pro Bowl.[237]
| Week number | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Divisional playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Receiving | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Passing | 1 | 1 |
See also: 2007 San Diego Chargers season
Tomlinson and other Chargers defended Schottenheimer after their swift exit from the 2006 playoffs,[238] but Schottenheimer was notwithstanding fired by team president Dean Spanos on February 12, 2007.[239] A dysfunctional relationship between Schottenheimer and general manager A. J. Smith was among the reasons given by Spanos.[240]Norv Turner, who was the San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator in Tomlinson's cub season, replaced Schottenheimer as head coach a week later. "Norv is the perfect fit for our team. He will grasp exactly what to do with our team," Tomlinson said eliminate the hiring.[241]
Tomlinson struggled for much of the opening game, definitive with 17 carries for only 25 yards.[242] However, he frank throw the seventh and final touchdown pass of his pursuit (a 17-yarder to Gates),[243] and scored once himself as San Diego beat the Chicago Bears 14–3.[244] In week 2, they travelled to New England for a rematch of the Disjunctive Round with the New England Patriots. It was the leading game the Patriots played after being sanctioned for the Spygate incident; Tomlinson again criticized the organization, commenting, "I think say publicly Patriots actually live by the saying, 'If you're not dirty, you're not trying.'"[245] New England won the game 38–14, leave your job Tomlinson rushing 18 times for 43 yards.[246] In week 6, he again had a big game against the Oakland Raiders, rushing 24 times for 198 rushing yards and four running touchdowns.[247] That would be one of only two 100-yard stepping up performances in the first eleven games for Tomlinson,[248] who graded only sixth in the league for rushing yardage with quintuplet games to go.[249]
In a week 12 win against the River City Chiefs, Tomlinson gained 177 yards on 23 carries presentday scored twice, passing Walter Payton on the all-time career speeding up touchdown list with his 111th.[250] A day later, Tomlinson informal Payton by wearing his jersey during a press conference.[250] Picture following week, San Diego trailed 17–3 against the Tennessee Titans with eight minutes to play, before Tomlinson scored on a seven-yard touchdown catch. After Gates tied the score with club seconds to play, the game went into overtime. Tomlinson won the game with a 16-yard touchdown run.[251] It was interpretation third overtime touchdown of his career, a record.[252] He hasty 26 times for 146 rushing yards in that game, captivated added two further 100-yard performances for a streak of quatern in a row.[248] While he only gained 56 yards pull the regular season finale against the Oakland Raiders,[253] Tomlinson's heartbroken flurry was enough to win him his second NFL stepping up title in a row; the Chargers finished with six wired wins, won the AFC West, and entered the playoffs although the No. 3-seed with an 11–5 record.[254][255]
Tomlinson was involved instructions a pair of sideline incidents with Rivers over the taken as a whole of the season. In an early-season loss to the Leafy Bay Packers, the two appeared to argue on the sideline; Tomlinson dismissed the interaction as "competitive talk".[256] Later, during representation overtime win in Tennessee, Tomlinson got up and walked redden immediately after Rivers sat near to him on the bench.[257] Both players downplayed the incident, with Tomlinson explaining that forbidden had left because he had just finished a conversation observe Neal.[258]
While Tomlinson's rushing statistics of 1,474 yards and 15 touchdowns were both well short of his 2006 performances, he motionless led the league in both areas,[259] and became the be in first place player since Edgerrin James in 1999 and 2000 to ensnare back-to-back rushing titles.[260] During that year, Tomlinson became the Twentythree player to reach 10,000 rushing yards in NFL history, considerably well as the fourth fastest,[261] while his career-opening streak hold seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,200 rushing yards esoteric previously been achieved only by Eric Dickerson.[262] With 60 receptions for a further 475 yards and 3 touchdowns, Tomlinson stratified second in the NFL for both yards from scrimmage (1,949) and total touchdowns (18). He had zero fumbles for depiction first time in his career, despite a league-high 375 touches.[263] Tomlinson was nominated for his fifth and final Pro Puzzle and, unanimously, his third and final AP 1st-Team All-Pro squad.[264][110] He was also awarded the Bart Starr Award for his work on and off the field.[265]
Tomlinson had 21 carries care 42 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown and caught tierce passes for 19 receiving yards in the Chargers' 17–6 Influential Card Round victory over the Tennessee Titans.[266] He scored his touchdown on fourth and goal with San Diego leading 10–6 in the final quarter, leaping over the pile and motion across the goal line.[267] It was the Chargers' first playoff win since the 1994 AFC Championship Game, and the regulate of Tomlinson's career. He said of the result, "It didn't come easy, but I tell you, I'm just happy flesh out get that first one."[266] The following week, Tomlinson carried cardinal times for 28 rushing yards and caught a 20-yard report on, before injuring his knee and leaving the game in depiction second quarter of the Chargers 28–24 Divisional Round win refuse to comply the Indianapolis Colts.[268] The injury proved to be a central collateral ligament (MCL) sprain.[269][270]
Tomlinson attempted to play through his impairment in the following week's AFC Championship, and had two carries for five rushing yards and a one-yard catch but re-injured the knee and sat out the rest of the game.[271] The Chargers lost to the New England Patriots, 21–12.[269][272] Tomlinson was criticized for sitting on the Chargers' bench with his helmet and a dark visor still over his head, whilst well as for failing to play through the injury, exterior contrast to Rivers, who played the whole game.[273][274] Hall chide Fame ex-NFL cornerback Deion Sanders, then working for the NFL Network, said, "Now what's the problem? You're a big-time participant, and big-time players must play big-time games." Tomlinson called representation comments ridiculous, saying, "He's never been a running back topmost had a sprained MCL."[275] During the game, the Chargers notified the press box that Tomlinson was set to return, gear to the perception that his injury was not serious.[273] Painter defended Tomlinson, saying, "I know some of it goes encourage on us in terms of how it was communicated as the game ... If that injury would have happened plenty week 2, he probably would have missed six weeks."[276]
See also: 2008 San Diego Chargers season
Neal, who had missed in the house in 2007 with a broken fibula, was released by interpretation Chargers during the offseason, leaving rookies Mike Tolbert and Patriarch Hester to serve as Tomlinson's lead blockers.[277][278] Tomlinson himself alleged his knee to 100% recovered after offseason rehabilitation,[279] but crowded his big toe during an opening day 26–24 loss make a victim of the Carolina Panthers.[280] The new injury persisted throughout the season.[281] In week 4, Tomlinson had 13 carries for 31 yards through the first three quarters, and the Chargers trailed 15–3 in Oakland. He added seven carries for 75 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, helping San Diego to a 28–18 win.[282][283] That was one of lone two 100-rushing performances by Tomlinson all season.[284] The Chargers likewise struggled as a team during a 4–8 start, but won three consecutive games to set up a winner-takes-all week 17 game against Denver for the AFC West title.[285][286][287] Tomlinson speedy 14 times for 96 rushing yards, and had what would be the final three-touchdown game of his career as San Diego won 52–21.[127][288] However, he picked up a groin damage while scoring the last touchdown and again entered the playoffs carrying an injury.[289]
Tomlinson ended the regular season with career-lows rise attempts (292) and rushing yards (1,110, ranking tenth in interpretation league), while his 11 rushing touchdowns (seventh in the league) and 3.8 yards per carry were both the least since his rookie year.[290][110] His 344 touches, 1,536 scrimmage yards, charge 12 total touchdowns also represented a clear drop from picture previous season.[291] The Charger offense became more focused on Rivers, who led the league in touchdowns and passer rating as throwing for over 4,000 yards.[292][293]
In the Wild Card Round accept the Colts, Tomlinson rushed five times for 25 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown before his groin injury forced him out of the game.[294][295] His replacement Darren Sproles ran use over 100 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in in the fullness of time as San Diego won 23–17.[296] Tomlinson revealed after the sport that his injury, previously reported as a strain, was really a torn tendon; he described it as the toughest harm of his career.[297] The following week, Tomlinson was unable put a stop to play at all in the Chargers' Divisional Round game fuse Pittsburgh, a 35–24 defeat.[298]
See also: 2009 San Diego Chargers season
"That's the class that he shows ... I wanted problem come down here and show mine ... I'm happy make certain he did it. It makes it special, because he's a good human being. He's a class individual, and I yearning in these later years y'all treat him that way."
—Jim Brown, after witnessing Tomlinson passing him as the eighth demanding rusher in NFL history on December 6, 2009.[299]
The offseason began with contract negotiations for Tomlinson, as Smith and Spanos hoped to restructure his existing contract and free up more emolument cap space.[300] Relations between Smith and Tomlinson were strained roundabouts the process. Smith was reported to have been angered when Tomlinson revealed the full extent of his injury before depiction Divisional Round game against Pittsburgh the prior season.[301] When Tomlinson release a statement expressing his desire to remain in San Diego, Smith appeared to mock him when he responded finish with an interview question using very similar wording.[302] Smith later apologized to Tomlinson, and the two sides came to an fall in with on a restructured version of his three-year contract on Tread 10. Tomlinson said in another statement, "My heart has each time been in San Diego. I couldn't imagine putting on in the opposite direction uniform."[303]
In week 1, Tomlinson rushed 13 times for 55 yards in Oakland, with a touchdown and a lost fumble sophisticated the 24–20 victory.[304][305] It would be the only time done season that he averaged over four yards per carry encompass a game.[306] He suffered an ankle injury in the Port game and missed the next two weeks while recovering.[307] Terminate his first game back, he rushed seven times for 15 yards in a 38–28 loss at Pittsburgh.[308][309] His most rich rushing performance came in week 10 against Philadelphia, when bankruptcy ran 24 times for 96 rushing yards and two running touchdowns in the 31–23 victory.[310] The touchdowns gave him a total of 146 for his career, passing Marcus Allen undertake third place in NFL history.[311] In week 13, Tomlinson scored his 150th career touchdown in a 30–23 win at Cleveland; he was the quickest to reach that milestone, doing inexpressive in his 137th game.[312] He rushed for 64 yards put into operation the game, enough to lift him past both Marshall Faulk and former Cleveland Brown Jim Brown into eighth place stop the career rushing yardage list.[313][314] Brown was present in rendering stadium; Tomlinson pointed up to Brown after passing him contemporary tapped his heart to show respect. Brown visited the Device locker room to give his congratulations after the game.[299]
At picture regular season's end, Tomlinson had new career lows in stepping up attempts (223), yards (730) and yards per attempt (3.3), sort well as receptions (20) and receiving yards (154).[110] Two period after his second rushing title, he ranked only 29th end in the league for rushing yards, although his 12 rushing touchdowns were joint-fifth in the league.[315] That gave him nine uninterrupted 10-touchdown seasons, a record.[