LaDainian Tomlinson, the long-time Chargers great, played running back for 11 seasons, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first eight years. Tomlinson was a three-time first-team all-pro selection who won the 2006 MVP award. He’s third all-time with 162 touchdowns. We caught up with him for a Q&A ahead of Saturday’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Q: There’s no set criteria for the Hall of Fame, but what do you think defines a Hall of Fame running back?
A: Being great over a consistent period of time. In order to be considered, you have to play a number of years and be one of the best in the game doing what you do. Thatap how you get nominated.
Q: You and Terrell Davis were both finalists for this Hall of Fame class. Did you guys talk about that, knowing it’d be difficult for two running backs to get in at the same time?
A: We haven’t really had a conversation about it. To be a finalist, we both can say we’re being considered for the Hall of Fame. So in a way, we are Hall of Fame type guys.
Q: How would you make your own Hall of Fame case?
A: To me, it has nothing to do with the numbers. The numbers are what they are. I never cheated the game. I never disrespected what the game meant. I always did the right thing on and off the field. I set the right example. I tried to treat people with respect the same way I wanted to be treated. I tried to be a good leader to my teammates. I was a captain. Thatap what I look at outside the numbers.
Q: You had more than 300 carries in each of your first seven seasons. Only Ezekiel Elliott had more than 300 carries this past season. Do you think the days of the workhorse running back are over?
A: I don’t think they’re over. The running backs that are able to do that are few and far between. We’ve seen Adrian Peterson in the past. Ezekiel Elliott, David Johnson, Leonard Fournette would be the guy. So there’s not as many as when I was playing, but I think you still have your share of backs that can command 300 carries. The rules of the game say you need to throw it more, so you don’t need runners to carry it 300 times.
Q: What was favorite memory from your playing days?
A: It was an accumulation of things. Before I got to the Chargers, they were 1-15. We won five division titles when I was there. Not only did we turn that organization around, but we made them relevant again. In my mind, that was the greatest moment. To do that for an organization, thatap the ultimate success.
Q: How quickly did you know that being a NFL Network analyst was how you wanted to spend your post-NFL career? What would you have been doing if this wasn’t it?
A: Not very quickly. The opportunity was in my lap and I took the opportunity. I never wanted to do television. I never imagined doing it. But I still wanted to be around the game, be involved with the game and talk about the game so it just happened for me. If not for this, I probably would be a true businessman.
Q: Who do you think has the advantage in the running game Sunday?
A: Thatap a tough one. If I’m Atlanta, it might be a little easier for them to game plan for the Patriots running backs because if LeGarrette (Blount) is in the game I know what he’s doing. He’s going to get the ball. He’s coming downhill. He’s not going to be used in the passing game. When Dion Lewis and James White come in, you look for them to catch out of the backfield. With Atlanta, if Devonta (Freeman) is in the game you don’t know if he’s running it or catching out of the backfield. Same with Tevin Coleman, you don’t know. So itap hard to game plan against both of those backs.
Q: Which quarterback is Super Bowl LI more important to?
A: Matt Ryan. He’s still trying to enter the elite quarterback group. He’s been right on the edge. Most people say if he wins this Super Bowl, he will be elite. With Tom (Brady), he’s already the greatest of all-time. If he wins another Super Bowl, he just continues to separate himself. In my mind, he doesn’t need this to solidify his greatness in this league.
