LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League for 11 seasons. He is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time. He played the majority of his career with the San Diego Chargers who selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. Tomlinson was invited to five Pro Bowls, was an All-Pro six times, and won consecutive rushing titles in 2006 and 2007, while being named 2006 NFL MVP. At the time of his retirement, he ranked fifth in career rushing yards, seventh in all-purpose yards, second in career rushing touchdowns, and third in total touchdowns. He is currently an analyst on NFL Network. After being elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014, Tomlinson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2017, his first year of eligibility; he is the first Pro Football Hall of Famer whose professional career began in the 21st century.
Tomlinson played college football for Texas Christian University, earned consensus All-America honors, and won the Doak Walker Award as the best college running back. He spent nine seasons with the Chargers.