Although the Chargers cut him two years ago, LaDainian Tomlinson returned to San Diego on a one day contract to retire as a Bolt. After eleven years in the league LT has decided it is time to move on. The stats speak for themselves. He rushed for 13,684 yards in his career, fifth highest all time, 18,456 total yards from scrimmage. He scored 145 rushing touchdowns, second only to Emmitt Smith, 162 overall touchdowns only topped by Jerry Rice and again Emmitt Smith. LT also won the rushing title in two consecutive years (2006 and 2007) as well as winning the Walter Payton award.

LT seemed very calm, and even chuckled when his son came up and needed a little attention from him, a far cry from the emotional outpouring at his press conference two years ago when he announced he was leaving San Diego. What was the same was his thanking of his teammates, coaches and even the equipment managers that he had played and worked with throughout his career.

Tomlinson is a once in a generation player, a future Hall of Famer. Charger fans will never forget how he made their team relevant after years of mediocrity. His type of movement was unique, like a dancer, agile and graceful but with what seemed like unlimited power behind it. He ran with a purpose, and even later when he was with the Jets, he ran like he still had something to prove.

Tomlinson remarked that he was healthy and it wasn’t that he couldn’t play anymore but rather the emotional toll of being prepared to to play. He talked of the LaDainian Tomlinson Preparatory Academy he would be founding to help young student athletes prepare for college, assisting them in acquiring scholarships, as a way of giving back what had been given to him.

Tomlinson referenced his teammate Junior Seau saying that he felt like this was his graduation as well. LaDainian, you may now move your tassel. Thank you for keeping us on the edge of our seats, you will be missed.

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Written by Jennifer C.

I have loved football for as long as I can remember. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, so I have a little soft spot for the Seahawks but I am genetically one of the 49er faithful. My family is from the bay area, so being a Niner is a requirement, not an option.

I relocated to Southern California to attend USC on an academic scholarship. During all four years at Southern Cal, I was a coxswain on the women’s varsity rowing team, working out in the same facility as all of the other athletes, including the football team. Knowing the players behind the face masks made all of the games very personal for me and increased my passion for the game. I continue to follow USC players in the league and unless they are playing against the Niners, I will pull for them.

I have been attending 49er games for quite some time. My grandfather has had season tickets for the Niners since they played at Kezar. At 95, he still attends a few games a year and knows everyone in our section.

twitter: @jenniferleechan