LaDainian Tomlinson (born June 23, 1979 in Rosebud, Texas) is an American football player who currently plays running back for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL.

Tomlinson, number 21, stands 5 feet 10 inches (178 centimeters) and is listed at 221 pounds (100 kilograms) for the 2004 season.

Early years

By his third birthday, Tomlinson and his father were avid followers of the Dallas Cowboys. He got his first taste of fotball playing Pop Warner Football as a youngster. At University High School in Waco, Texas, he starred at linebacker as a sophomore, at fullback as a junior, and it was not until his senior season that he earned a chance to play tailback. But while playing fullback, he rushed for 2554 yards and 39 touchdowns. Back then he was only 195 pounds, and since he had experienced the running back position for only a year, most colleges didn't show interest in him. So he ended up at Texas Christian University, due partly to the fact that the school was near his hometown, and also to the fact that Coach Pat Sullivan treated him like a member of his own family.

College career

Tomlinson attended college at TCU, where he starred at running back. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist as a senior, and completed his college career with 5,263 rushing yards, ranking sixth in NCAA Division I history.

Tomlinson was selected in the 1st round of the NFL Draft in 2001 with the 5th overall pick. The Chargers had the 1st pick in the draft that year but anticipated that they would be unable to sign Michael Vick, who was perceived as the best player in the year's draft class. Therefore, they traded their number one pick to the Atlanta Falcons, for which they received the number five pick and other considerations. In this way, Tomlinson and Vick are forever linked as having been "traded" for each other, although the transaction was actually the result of traded draft picks and contract negotiations.

Tomlinson immediately became the starting running back with the Chargers, and has started every game since for the Chargers at that position. He has achieved considerable success in the NFL, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons. Other important career milestones include reaching his 50th touchdown in only his 4th season (60th game), receiving 100 passes and rushing for 1,000 yards in the same season (the first time this feat had ever been accomplished), and election to the Pro Bowl team in 2002 and 2004. He is widely recognized as one of the top running backs in the game today.