LaDainian Tomlinson

Before the 2001 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers were faced with a dilemma.

The Chargers had the No. 1 overall pick and Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick was arguably the best overall player in the draft. San Diego had a great need for a signal caller, but just four years prior it had selected former Washington State QB Ryan Leaf with the second overall pick and it wound up being a disaster. Leaf quickly became one of the biggest busts in NFL history and fearing Vick would wind up a bust as well, they traded the top pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for multiple picks and wide receiver Tim Dwight.

One of the multiple picks the Chargers acquired from Atlanta was the fifth overall selection, in which they used to select Texas Christian running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Tomlinson won the MVP award in 2000 for the Mobile Alabama Bowl, as well as the Doak Walker Award for being the nation’s top running back and the Senior Bowl MVP in 2001. But even with those accomplishments on his resume, some scouts felt he wouldn’t be able to sustain the pounding NFL running backs take throughout an entire year.

The San Diego Chargers weren’t scared off, however, and made Tomlinson their top pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. It turned out to be a fantastic decision and LT has become one of the franchise’s best players of all time.

Since 2001, LaDainian Tomlinson has earned five trips to the Pro Bowl and is a four-time First-team All-Pro selection. He also holds the all-time NFL record for single season touchdowns at 31, as well as the all-time NFL record for single season rushing touchdowns with 28.

Questions about whether or not he could withstand the pounding of being an NFL back were quickly erased when LT flashed his toughness while running in-between the tackles. His quickness and elusiveness has also led to big gains and highlight reel plays. He’s still one of the most athletic players in the league and certainly one of the most explosive players in the NFL.

LaDainian Tomlinson holds the all-time NFL record for the most points cored in a single season at 186. He also holds the all-time NFL record for most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (18), most consecutive multi-touchdown games (8) and is tied for third place for most career 200-yard rushing games with multiple players (4).

Tomlinson is the most prolific back in San Diego Chargers’ history. He holds the all-time San Diego Chargers record for most career touchdowns at 111, as well as the record for most career rushing yards at 10,650 (2001-2007).

LaDainian Tomlinson’s career isn’t finished, but he already can be mentioned with other NFL greats Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith.