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LT Makes His Toughest CallBy Tom ShanahanTuesday, January 22, 2008 | The question -- as preposterous as it sounds -- surrounding LaDainian Tomlinson on Monday was about his toughness. It was being asked because Tomlinson didn’t return to the Chargers’ 21-12 AFC Championship game loss at the New England Patriots after he re-injured his hyper-extended knee on the first series of the game.
This is what happens in American sports today when television overloads ignorant fans with images of a player beyond repute, such as Tomlinson, sitting on the bench and fails to provide information about his history in the NFL. We’re all supposed to know from our first trip to the library in grade school that you don’t judge a book by its cover. But television has provided a new twist to that old adage. The Chargers’ have such a player on their roster. Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal was an All-American wrestler at Fresno State. You can’t fake being tough around Neal, who has been blocking for Tomlinson the past five seasons. "He said he ran a screen and Teddy Bruschi ran him down," Neal said. "Everybody knows Teddy Bruschi can’t run with LT. When that happened, the guy made a decision for the team." "At any other position maybe because you don’t get hit as much, you don’t have to make sharp cuts. As a running back, I don’t know anybody who can do it. I remember Barry Sanders had this and he missed four weeks. It’s really a tough situation." Tomlinson didn’t snap at anyone because he didn’t have anything to hide.
42 Comments so far on this story...
My thoughts about the media exactly. How could San Diego and the media throw LT under the bus after seven years of nothing but dedication, hardwork, and loyalty? Shame on them. To LRC: Don't think that all Charger fans have thrown LT under the bus. Only the bandwagon fans have done that. I don't question LT's heart or motivation. Seeing him on the bench sucked, but I knew there was a reason he was side-lined. If the guy could have played, he would have. That was the Championship game. He's not sitting out for no reason. This is what the guy has been working so hard for all his life. He will be back next year. Watch out NFL. It is unfair how ALL the fans get categorized as one whole. NO, not all of us threw LT under the bus. From what I saw, the majority defended LT. It's just a few obnoxious, fairweather, ignorant fans that constantly went on a ranting rampage. Same people, same post, same closed-minded views. Most of us know and are thankful to have LT represent the Chargers. He's such a role model on and off the field. Never once did I questioned LT's toughness, nor did the other 20 people I was watching the game with questioned him. After 7 years, he has proven himself and shouldn't have to defend himself. Let people say and think what they like. LT has his family, teammates, and REAL fans who will back him up. I was still in shock at how Deion Cocky Sanders questioned his toughness. I have seen LT play 4 str8 weeks with broken ribs, I will NEVER question his toughness. One of the greatest if not the greatest athlete I have ever watched throughout his career!! I agree, not all fans have thrown LT under the bus... The REAL FANS have always backed thier players. The REAL FANS have always been there, through the good and the bad. The REAL FANS WILL ALWAYS BE PROUD OF THIER BOLTS! LT, I am proud that you are a great role model for me, my family and todays youth. This REAL FANS family is proud of all the San Diego Charger players. By the way, for all you bandwangon fans, you may exit now. It really boils my blood that he's being treated this way. This guy has stuck with this team when it was the laughing stock of the NFL. For anyone, especially some of our "fans" to question his toughness and dedication to this team is beyond ignorant. Congratulations, Deion Sanders. You and your media brethren have stirred the pot and implanted ignorance to the masses. I hope you're proud. You have 1 fewer fan who used to admire your accomplishments as a player. We'll see what everyone says this year after LT smashes more records and leads this team to the SB. I am with you guys as one of those few fans who have not thrown LT under the bus. It pained me to see him on the sidelines, but understood what was going. The guy wants to win and he wanted to be in the super bowl. He was selfless and it will pay off. With the experience this young team has gotten from the past two years, they will be in it next year. LT, you just added years to your career. Rivers, we know that you are a gutsy player and you proved it to the haters out there. To the whole team, you guys did the city of San Diego proud. For those of you fans who are on the bandwagon: Jump off and stay off. Big ups to the Super Bowl XLIII Champs, the San Diego Chargers!!! It's my fault, I was driving the bus that ran over LT. I'm not a fairweather bandwagon fan I'm a fan who loves football, have been for years, drives my wife nuts. I guess what I'm saying is my judge of a good football player is one who sees himself as part of a group of guys who pull together as a team and not as an individual. I love it when I see players unable to perform give their fellow teammates a pat on the head or cheer them from the sidelines,. To me that tell a lot about his character. Enough said It's my fault, I was driving the bus that ran over LT. I'm not a fairweather bandwagon fan I'm a fan who loves football, have been for years, drives my wife nuts. I guess what I'm saying is my judge of a good football player is one who sees himself as part of a group of guys who pull together as a team and not as an individual. I love it when I see players unable to perform give their fellow teammates a pat on the head or cheer them from the sidelines. To me that tell a lot about his character. Enough said TomTerrific back off a bit. When the day's done, a player is measured by his performance on the field of play, not by how good a cheerleading skirt looks on his tight little rump. Players play, cheerleaders cheer. It's an emotional game, emotions come and go, wax and wane. Don't slam the guy for not wearing a skirt, especially if he didn't feel like wearing it on Sunday. The only reason we lost that game was because we couldn't score from the red zone. The reason why we couldn't score from the red zone was because we called the wrong plays with limited personnel. We won 2 big playoff games this season without MartyBall!! We also beat the defending SB champs at INDY!! We came up a whole game short TomTerrific....We'll see you bozo's again next year. Send your boot-wearing pretty-boy our best, Give 'em hell G-MEN!!!!!!! I don't question his toughness but do question his team play. When QB's can't go they are looking at film and trying to tell their replacement what they might see. Would it be too much to ask why he wasn't still trying to help the team instead of staying away from everyone? So before you jump all over people who question things just ask yourself's this: Is it a team sport? YES so support your team especially when they play their guts out like that. C'mon LT you are better then that. Hey, Tomterrific, how do you KNOW he wasn't encouraging his teammates, cherring them on? Because you let the hacks who run TV broadcasts lead you by the nose. It's just the same Rivers ``trash talk'' BS in a new package. The same LT snubs Rivers on the bench BS in a new package. The same Norv is loser BS in a new package. Everyone -- all of them, every single one -- who has accused LT of malingering, who wants to trade him for draft picks, is an ignorant fool. Hey, Tomterrific, how do you KNOW he wasn't encouraging his teammates, cherring them on? Because you let the hacks who run TV broadcasts lead you by the nose. It's just the same Rivers ``trash talk'' BS in a new package. The same LT snubs Rivers on the bench BS in a new package. The same Norv is loser BS in a new package. Everyone -- all of them, every single one -- who has accused LT of malingering, who wants to trade him for draft picks, is an ignorant fool. PapaBOLT411 & PAL52 It's called an opinion just like yours, everyone got one. I say what I feel, I don't critcize your comments. I think I've been supporting the Chargers a heck of lot longer then either of you but that's not the point. I'm a diehard fan, always have been but like you I say what I want which also means I have an opinion of my own. Go Chargers I don.t get it do you band wagon fans not know the reason we even got this far, well guess what LT was a hugh part of that so back off not because of everything he has done this season but his entire life the man is the appitomy of a football player and what every athlete I mean every athlete should strive to be. So when people like Deon ( hitting and tackling is for linbackers) Sanders question someone of this structures toughness it should tell you where the mentality of those type of comments are coming. Be greatful San Diego that you have had not one but two of the best and most loyal and proffesional athlete's (Tony Gwyenn) ever to play in their sports.So LT stay strong get healthy and remember the real San Diego Charger fans support you and love you This has nothing to do as LT "The Player". It's not about being ignorant, it's about stating the obvious... a team usually takes on their star playersâ?? demeanor & that's what I saw on Sunday. It was almost like well LT's done so... we're done. I've played sports my entire life and when our star players went down, we'd get up for them! Let's win this one for (whomever). All we're saying is, if you can't stand, get some crutches and fire up your teammates! Lead them on if you have to; tell them you'll be ready for the Superbowl, JUST GET ME THERE! Let them see that fire in your eye! No one has the right to question his toughness or heart, I think it's just a case of LT not knowing what to do. (Being this seriously injured) Norv should have got him more involved! The people who saw him on the bench on TV don't know what they are talking about. I am diehard fan. I flew across the country to watch the team I love. I sat about 10 rows behind the Charger bench. When I watched the game again on TIVO I couldn't believe what they were saying about him. They only showed the guy like twice and it was by luck that he was sitting on the bench at that time. What they didn't show was the 98% of the time he was off the bench cheering on his team and slapping them on the head when they came over and talking to MT and Sproles about what they could do. Believe me, I was watching. TV will only let you see what they want you to see. LT you always have my respect. LT is a cry baby! In college at Humboldt State University, I played QB and got hit on the knee (on a cheap low blow) and hyperextened my knee just like LT! I couldn't get any power or accuracy on my throws. However, I didn't want to let my teammates down. I played the rest of the game at wide reciever, while our backup quarterback lead the offensive. I played through the pain and though I wasn't more then a decoy and a cheer leader for the rest of the game. My teammates rallied to win the game! I never once thought to go into the corner and cry. I give props to Rivers and Gates and think much less of LT! Spoiled little baby!!!!!! Karma got him for all those tantums he has been having when he doesn't get his way. LT is a cry baby! In college at Humboldt State University, I played QB and got hit on the knee (on a cheap low blow) and hyperextened my knee just like LT! I couldn't get any power or accuracy on my throws. However, I didn't want to let my teammates down. I played the rest of the game at wide reciever, while our backup quarterback lead the offensive. I played through the pain and though I wasn't more then a decoy and a cheer leader for the rest of the game. My teammates rallied to win the game! I never once thought to go into the corner and cry. I give props to Rivers and Gates and think much less of LT! Spoiled little baby!!!!!! Karma got him for all those tantums he has been having when he doesn't get his way. I DONT EVEN KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THESE COMMENTS,PEOPLE ARE STUPID. LT IS THE MAN!!! JUST THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH HARDER HE IS GOING TO TRAIN THIS OFF-SEASON. HE WELL GET HIS 3RD RUSHING TITLE IN A ROW AND A S.B. RING. BOLT PRIDE!!! I DONT EVEN KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THESE COMMENTS,PEOPLE ARE STUPID. LT IS THE MAN!!! JUST THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH HARDER HE IS GOING TO TRAIN THIS OFF-SEASON. HE WELL GET HIS 3RD RUSHING TITLE IN A ROW AND A S.B. RING. BOLT PRIDE!!! On a few occasions this year, it appeared LT acted immature, or whinny, (I can't quite think of the right adjective for it--maybe sore lose is what I'm looking for) toward his own teammates--like when they were 1-3, or the "Rivers-Bench" incident, but especially during the AFC championship game. I do not think he is selfish or weak. He knew the team had a better chance without him so he took himself out. He's played through pain before. But this time it wasn't right for the team for him to stay in. I commend him for that. But he should have kept his spirits up for the team even if inside he was dying. SDSuperCharger: It's hard for me to believe you are not exaggerating. You say 98% of the time he was cheering his team and helping his replacements. If that's true, then I'm wrong about LT. But it's hard to believe. Way more often than not, the media talks UP LT. To think that the announcers and camera operators would not once say a word or get a shot of LT doing what you say he did 98% of the time is crazy. From the article above: "Neal said Tomlinson tried to stay warm and get ready before he took a seat on the bench. He said he watched him at halftime as he put his head in his hands at his locker." He sulked during halftime? That is unacceptable. He is supposed to be a leader on this team. SDSuperCharger: I doubt you were in the locker room to see this but Neal was doing nothing but defending the toughness and unselfishness of his running back, yet he admitted LT was sulking. Maybe he sulked for 5 seconds and the rest of the time he fired up his team. I don't know, I wasn't in there either. But, it seems to me LT had a huge part in their loss last Sunday, even though he didn't play. Prediction: Next season, Chargers win it all!!! Go Bolts! The reason you lost is simply because the Pats are a better team, whether LT played or not. We learned that last year in the playoffs, this year in week two, then once again (for those slow learning chargers fans)in the championship game. 2 out of 3 times LT played and lost. The time for excuses has passed. The maturity level of Lt isnt there, he doesnt appear to be much of a team player and he may as well have just stayed home on sunday and watched the game on tv, like he will the Superbowl. how can you question his toughness? Hes played with multiple injuries before, hes devoted so many years to just one team. Hes set amazing records, he has 2 consecutive rushing titles. Did you not see his leaping touchdown play against the titans? Even when he didnt get over on the first try, which, was an amazing leap, he was smart enough to reach out with the ball and force it over for the touchdown. Id like to see any of you make a play like that. how can you question his toughness? Hes played with multiple injuries before, hes devoted so many years to just one team. Hes set amazing records, he has 2 consecutive rushing titles. Did you not see his leaping touchdown play against the titans? Even when he didnt get over on the first try, which, was an amazing leap, he was smart enough to reach out with the ball and force it over for the touchdown. Id like to see any of you make a play like that. scak are you serious??? So you're saying that if: 1. Brady played w/ two bum knees 2. Maroney doesn't play after the 9 minute mark of the 2nd quater 3. Your leading receiver (Welker) has a dislocated toe and can't cut or play as effective 4. Your starting fullback's back for his first game from breaking his leg. that your Pats would beat a fully healthy Chargers team??? Please! WHAT GAME WERE YOU WATCHING???? To Geno...I must comment to you and reply to your statement(s). First off we are not talking about college sports, so you "setting in" as a wide receiver (not recIEver-remember "I" before "E", except after "C"-goofy New England school system) is not the same for the PRO'S. When we read your comments, you are saying that LT should have played in place of Jackson, Chambers, Osgood, Davis, Floyd or even Naanee right? Well that is crazy! We are glad that your team won the game but the level of play is much different from college to pro's. Like the difference between high school and college. I wonder (while you were playing hurt as just a "decoy" or "cheerleader") what the regular starting WR was thinking (assuming that he was not hurting more than you). As I see it, you were either one "Tough Dude" (to be continued...) (...Part Two) or you were a better player injured than any other (healty) WR on your team. I think that the statement "The older I get, the better I was..." is true for you. While many of us have played hurt or injured, I think it takes more of a "Team Player" to cheer on his team knowing that he cannot give 100% rather than a player playing injured. In fact, I think that it was very selfish of you to play injured if there was heathy players sitting on the bench. What LT did was very selfless. If you don't know what that means you can go to link and read up on it. With all this said, I can assure you that the San Diego Chargers will be back strong and powerful next season. "GO BOLTS!!!" DEION SANDERS QUESTION LT TOUGHNESS BECASUSE DEION HAD A REPUTATION ABOUT RUNNUNG AWAY FROM RUNNING BACK WHOM RAN TOWARD HIM, HE ALWAY DOES THAT DURING HIS NFL CAREER. HE'S NOTHING BUT A WHIMP AND COWARD TO MAKE HIMSELF LOOK HE HAD TO PICK SOMEONE ELSE! AND WHO ELSE WOUKD YOU PICK BETTER THAN LT. DEION IS COMPLETELY IDIOT AND BAD SAMPLE FOR OUR KIDS. MARK MY WORDS CRIMETIME WILL BE TEN TIME BETTER THAN PRIMETIME BECAUSE HE'S NOT AFFRAID TO TACKLE THE RUNNER scak either you logged on to the wrong website or the Patriots don't have one. This is Charger talk not Tony Rome smack. Apparently nobody will listen to you at work so you come here gloating which is fine but like you friends at work tell you "Go away". The Patriots are a damn good team and may go undefeated 19-0(C) and my hat is off to them. If you don't have anything else to add see you next year now go bother your fellow workers. GO BOLTS!!! I watched the games where the chargers lost, you can make all the excuses you want and run all the possible scenerios you want. The fact remains that the Pats are the better team, and LT is a sore losing crybaby, something again we witnessed last year and this year. Rage, rant, and whine. It means no more than the howl of the wind at the door, and is no more intelligible. Deion Sanders changes his tune every few weeks (because he has been shown to be wrong) but who remembers? LT is hugely respected by his team mates and his opponents. Anyone who says he is a whiner has never observed the intensity of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Michael Jordan, etc. Wayne Gretzky was called "yappy" and "a whiner" by some, but it doesn't change the fact he owns FIFTY NINE NHL records! If the baboons (fans with an unhealthy obsession/identifica with sports) and hyenas (media "experts" who invent or exaggerate stories) jabber until doomsday, it won't significantly affect LT, AJ, Rivers, Turner, etc. True Fans, don't respond to hate, don't step in dog doodoo, step around it. look im not a fair weather fan...i don't question LTs Toughness physically...(i know of the broken ribs hes played through etc...)what i DO question is his leadership...yes hes lead our team throughout the past BUT...in the BIGGEST game of his career...he just sat there lost in his own self-pity...sure deion may have stirred the pot of trash talking...but the fact is...(from what we've all saw on T.V. MULTIPLE times)...LT just sat there...and sat...Shouldn't he be helping out turner or sproles? telling them what he might have saw? giving them LIVE tips based on his expertise? Great players give it their ALL on the field...the sideline is a part of the field as well. U let me down LT...i expected more from u as a LEADER. LT's dedication to football is unquestionable. That should be the case, but the critics won't let him off the hook as expected nowadays. His name would be in sports history not only of his physical greatness but also moral and mental toughness. While, Deion Sanders was lashing him out about taking advanced medications during the game, LT's decision not to is a pioneer act of greatness. Lots of athletes will do so just to win and some will even go far beyond for fame and fortune. LT will not be that dishonest competitor. Thats why LT is a hall of famer and Deion Sanders is not. GO LT! GO CHARGERS! Just a thought...Everyone says "Why didn't LT help his team out by doing this or doing that..." Who was there (at the game) to say maybe he didn't help? The only thing that I saw was what the T.V. camera was showing everybody else. How about the other players just respecting LT's space. All of us have been disappointed in our lives about something that has happened to us or something that hasn't happened to us. No one can ever say that they just went "skipping and hopping" around like nothing was wrong. As far as Deion Sanders goes, He is just another mouth that wishes he was half as good as LT. Deion was a pityful football player and he is a very pityful sports "personality". "GO BOLTS!" Now I've been a Charger fan for as long as I can remember. As a matter of fact my father had season tickets back in the 80's. My father and I were at the game in Indy and it was great. I think LT was more disappointed than any of us that he couldn't contribute in the biggest game of his carrer. He has a hell of a lot of heart and he's damn tough. All the Chargers have to do is some fine tuning and we are good for next year. Now calling Neon Dieon a pitiful player is taking it a little too far. He was a damn good shutdown corner. But he couldn't tackle a blade of grass. "Super Chargers for life" The reason we lost as a team was simple. The coaching staff led with their hearts and not with their heads. When you normally have injuried personnel, you replace them! Norv baby, did not do this! LT was injuried, but was led to believe he could contribute still. PR was led to believe by his coaching staff that he could still win injuried. Well, both of these players just bolstered the confidence of the field goal kicker in field goals, definitely not in punt kickoffs. It is pretty obvious that every one's ignornance was caused by the omitted injury reports by the coaching staff. Strange how everyone is blaming the players instead of the coaching staff. Hello! The back ups proved they could win just the week prior. These plays given were designed for primary not secondary players. Chow! Regarding Neon Deion's comments about LT: I'll give the clown a mulligan because he hasn't been the same since he got doinked in the head with a fly ball when he played left field for the Cincinnati Reds. He was friggin' afraid with contact with a little ol' baseball as he cowered in the corner "trying" to catch that ball. Now, Jim Brown has chimed in and criticized LT for not being a cheerleader AND for playing as a decoy. To his comments, I say, PHOOEY! Jim Brown played through his injuries because there was not nearly the amount of information available to team doctors back in his day--if they even HAD team doctors--as there is now. BROWN came across as an old bitter man in that interview. (cont...) (cont.) As for LT needing to be a cheerleader, he doesn't need to do--or be--that! Most of these players make millions to play the game. If, in an AFC Championship game, one or more of these players needs to see their team leader cheering them on with pom-poms and the like, then those guys who need motiviation from their team leader are the ones I'd be more worried about. At this level, the motivation should come from within, not from a player--let alone a team leader--who is injured. So, leave LT alone. Pick on someone else, but not him. He doesn't deserve to have his name and reputation being dragged into the mud. Reader feedback
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