LaDainian Tomlinson will re-sign with the San Diego Chargers and then announce his retirement from the NFL during a Monday news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.
The Chargers announced the news Sunday.
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Tomlinson told Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter last month that he was "95 percent" retired, and it only makes sense that the soon-to-be 33-year-old makes it official with the Chargers.
The fifth-overall pick out of TCU by the Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft, Tomlinson started 141 games over nine seasons in San Diego, rushing for 12,490 yards with 138 touchdowns and adding 530 receptions for 3,955 yards and 15 touchdowns. A five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time, first-team All-Pro, Tomlinson is the Chargers' all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, ranks second in scoring (918 points) and is fifth on their all-time receptions list and 10th in receiving yards.
Tomlinson signed with the New York Jets as a free agent in 2010. In two seasons with the Jets, Tomlinson gained 1,194 yards and scored seven touchdowns on the ground with 94 receptions for 817 yards and two touchdowns out of the backfield.
"I think it's very exciting for him to retire as a Charger," longtime Chargers fan Derek Hopster told NFL Network. "Mixed emotions right there because the NFL being a business, he got caught up in the business side of it when he left San Diego. Myself personally, I've always looked up to LaDainian. I didn't like some of the comments he made leaving San Diego, but I can understand them.
"Obviously, he's going to be in the ChargersHall of Fame and Ring of Honor. He deserves to be there, too. I wish him the best. Glad he's retiring as a Charger like he should be."
Tomlinson twice led the NFL in rushing (2006, 2007) and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in 2006. With 13,684 rushing yards in his career, Tomlinson currently ranks fifth on the all-time list, behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and Curtis Martin. Tomlinson soon will join those backs in Canton, Ohio, as the clock for his Hall of Fame eligibility now will start its countdown.
