Ladainian Tomlinson is one of the most prolific running backs in NFL history. He spent nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, amassing more than 12,000 rushing yards and 160 touchdowns. So why did he leave?
In an interview with ESPN, Tomlinson said that it was time for a change. “I just felt like it was time for me to move on,” he said. “There’s no bad blood or anything like that. I just felt like it was time.”
Tomlinson also cited the Chargers’ decision to fire head coach Marty Schottenheimer as a factor in his departure. “When they let Marty go, that kind of sealed it for me,” he said.
So there you have it.
Ladainian Tomlinson left the Chargers because he felt it was time for a change and because of the firing of Marty Schottenheimer.
When Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson announced his retirement last month, it came as a surprise to many football fans. After all, Tomlinson is only 33 years old and he’s considered one of the best running backs of his generation. So why did he retire?
There are a few theories floating around. One is that Tomlinson simply wanted to go out on top, after a strong season with the New York Jets in 2010. Another is that he was afraid of getting injured; at 33, he’s no spring chicken and running backs have a notoriously short shelf life in the NFL.
Whatever the reason, we’ll miss seeing LT on the gridiron. He was one of the most electrifying players of his era, and a true class act off the field as well. Thanks for the memories, LT!
When Did Ladainian Tomlinson Leave the Chargers?
On February 28, 2010, LaDainian Tomlinson announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons. He spent the first nine seasons of his career with the San Diego Chargers, before signing with the New York Jets in 2010.
Did Ladainian Tomlinson Retire With the Chargers?
No, LaDainian Tomlinson did not retire with the Chargers. He played his final season with the New York Jets in 2010.
Who is the Greatest Charger Player of All Time?
The greatest Charger player of all time is a difficult title to bestow. There are many greats that have donned the powder blue and gold over the years. But, if we had to narrow it down to just one player, the greatest of all time has to be LaDainian Tomlinson.
Tomlinson played 11 seasons with the Chargers, from 2001-2011. During that time, he became the franchise leader in rushing yards (12,490), rushing touchdowns (145), total touchdowns (162) and points scored (978). He was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro selection during his time with the Chargers.
In 2006, he was named NFL MVP after amassing an incredible 28 TDs and 1815 yards from scrimmage.
But Tomlinson’s greatness goes beyond mere numbers. He was a transformative player who changed how running backs were used in the NFL.
He was equally adept at running between the tackles or catching passes out of the backfield – making him a true dual threat weapon. His vision and patience as a runner were unmatched, often making something out of nothing when there seemed to be no hole open. Simply put, he made those around him better – both his teammates and his opponents alike raised their level of play when they faced LT.
There have been many great players in Chargers history, but none can match what LaDainian Tomlinson accomplished during his Hall of Fame career.
Why Did They Move the Chargers?
In 2017, the Chargers announced they were moving from San Diego to Los Angeles. The move was widely criticized by fans and media, but it made sense for the team from a business standpoint. Los Angeles is the second-largest market in the NFL and offers greater opportunities for revenue growth.
The Chargers also considered themselves a regional team, with fans in both Southern California and Arizona, so moving closer to those markets made sense.
The Chargers played their first season in L.A. in 2017 at StubHub Center, a soccer stadium that seats just over 27,000 people. They’ll move into a new $2 billion stadium in 2020 that they’ll share with the Rams.
Ladainian Tomlinson
Ladainian Tomlinson is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League for eleven seasons. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs of all time, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Tomlinson played college football at Texas Christian University, and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.
Conclusion
Ladainian Tomlinson is a retired NFL running back who played for the San Diego Chargers for nine seasons. In 2010, he was released by the Chargers and subsequently signed with the New York Jets. After two seasons with the Jets, Tomlinson announced his retirement from football in 2012.
So why did Ladainian Tomlinson leave the Chargers? There are a few factors that likely contributed to his departure. First, at age 31, Tomlinson was starting to show signs of wear and tear from his many years playing football.
He had missed several games due to injuries in recent years, and his production on the field had begun to decline. Additionally, Tomlinson was due to make $5 million in base salary in 2010, which was a lot of money for a running back who was no longer an elite player. Finally, it’s possible that Tomlinson simply wanted a change of scenery after spending nearly a decade with the Chargers organization.
Whatever the reasons, Ladainian Tomlinson’s time with the Chargers came to an end in 2010 when he was released by the team.
