Some sportsbook experts were stunned to learn that running back LaDainian Tomlinson has decided to call it quits after only nine years. Other online football betting experts were not nearly as surprised as the rest. LaDainian Tomlinson will retire as one of the top running backs of all time, but his career has frustrating twists and turns that have to leave the new LT a little disappointed. He was once considered one of the greatest offensive players of all time. He could run the ball with speed and power, and then he could line up like a wide receiver and catch a long touchdown pass. He was versatile and tough, but he was never a champion. Tomlinson was always outspoken, and he was never interested in hiding his frustrations.
After a particularly disappointing home playoff loss to the New England Patriots in 2006, Tomlinson publicly blasted the Patriots for what he considered to be unnecessary celebration after the game was over. The situation carried on until the next season when the two teams met in the 2007 AFC Championship game. The Patriots beat the Chargers again, but Tomlinson avoid making controversial comments that time. But his passion could not be denied. He was a strong competitor that seemed to play in the background even though he was racking up amazing numbers. The world never really got to know LaDainian Tomlinson until he was well into his short NFL career.
The price per head sports experts all but wrote Tomlinson off when injuries seemed to slow him down in 2008. Tomlinson wanted to win a championship before he retired, and he could wisely see that the San Diego Chargers were not headed in that direction. Tomlinson shopped his talents out to the open market as was convinced to give it a run in New York. He was the feature back for the New York Jets in 2009 and racked up 914 rushing yards in 15 games played. He looked to be back to his old form and the Jets went to two AFC Championship games.
But two disappointing losses in those AFC Championship games and the realization that Tomlinson's skills were indeed deteriorating had put the future hall of famer on the bench. A sportsbooks review of Tomlinson's career shows that he does not relish the role of a backup, and he pushed to get more playing time. When Jets head coach Rex Ryan chose to look the other way, LaDainian Tomlinson decided to call it quits and retire.
Tomlinson's legs and body may have given out on him, but his heart never did. He is still a fierce competitor and he often talks about the disappointment he feels at not being able to bring a championship to San Diego.
LaDainian Tomlinson signed a one-day contract with the San Diego Chargers and then retired. He will be a first-ballot hall of fame inductee and has a promising career as an NFL broadcaster or coach. Whatever Tomlinson decides to do with the rest of his life, he will be extremely good at it. There is no middle gear for the running back that a new generation of football fans knows simply as LT.
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