LaDainian Tomlinson Signs With Chargers, Announces Retirement

But what will we really remember about L.T.? (Or was he LDT? Did he ever earn the two-letter nickname, or does it forever belong to Lawrence Taylor?) In the video below, I talk about the visor, the fantasy stats, his playoff performances and more:

Tomlinson announced last week that he would retire, confirming speculation from earlier in the spring. He was in San Diego to sign a ceremonial contract that would allow him to retire as a member of the Chargers, where he played for nine years.

In reflecting on his long career, Tomlinson thanked everyone from the owners and coaches to the offensive linemen and the equipment managers he worked with over the years. He revealed in his remarks that he contacted Spanos several weeks ago to discuss the possibility of signing and retiring as a Charger, telling the television cameras “he always felt in his heart” that he was a Charger.

Former San Diego Chargers and New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson will officially announce his retirement on Monday. LT is, without debate, one of the league’s greatest running backs of the last generation. He also holds a special place in the hearts of fantasy football general managers for his point-producing prowess over the years. One fantasy expert, Matthew Berry of ESPN, called Tomlinson’s 2006 season the “best fantasy season ever.”

Best ever? Lofty proclamation and one sure to invite some discussion from fantasy players everywhere, particularly those who might have seen their hopes dashed thanks in part to LT’s 28 touchdowns that year.

SB Nation’s Chargers blog, Bolts From The Blue, had this to say about the not-so-abrupt news:

For more on Tomlinson’s retirement, head to Bolts From the Blue, SB Nation’s Chargers blog.

Tomlinson ranks second on the all-time list in career rushing touchdowns with 145, and fifth in rushing yards with 13,684. He spent nine of his 11 NFL seasons with the Chargers, topping 1,100 yards rushing in all but one of those years and 1,450 yards in four of them and scoring an NFL record 28 rushing touchdowns in 2006.

For more on Tomlinson’s retirement, head to Bolts From the Blue, SB Nation’s Chargers blog.