Chargers release Tomlinson
Posted by Matt Field | Posted in NFL | Posted on 02-22-2010
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The San Diego Chargers released former league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson on Monday.
Tomlinson, 30, rushed for a career-low 730 yards in 14 games last year for the Chargers, the first season he failed to eclipse 1,100 yards rushing in his nine-year career.
“Change involving great players is never easy…No one appreciates [Tomlinson's] contributions to this organization more than I do,” Chargers president Dean Spanos said. “That is why this is such a difficult announcement for me to make. It has been a privilege to work with him and witness his entire career. I’m proud of him and grateful to him for the way he has carried himself both on and off the field.”
The move didn’t come as a surprise to the five-time Pro Bowl running back, as he told the San Diego Union-Tribune earlier this month that he expected to part ways with the team that made him the fifth overall selection in the 2001 draft.
He had two years remaining on his contract and was due a roster bonus of $2 million on March 5.
Tomlinson, who owns or shares 28 Chargers records, was the NFL MVP in 2006 when he rushed for a career-best 1,815 yards and 28 touchdowns. His 31 total TDs that year still stands as a league record.
He currently ranks eighth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards, while his 153 total touchdowns is third all-time.
The TCU product has also amassed 3,955 receiving yards on 530 receptions, including a 100-catch season in 2003.
“[Tomlinson] is a true pro. He’s one of the greatest runners this game has ever seen and words can’t do justice to the things he’s accomplished on and off the field,” Spanos said.
