SAN DIEGO -- Two quick stories tell much about LaDainian Tomlinson: where he has been and where he wants to go.
The first is a tale going back almost 20 years. LT was a running back then as he is now, scoring touchdowns then as he does now. In a Pop Warner League in his hometown of Waco, Texas, he could run into the end zone as well as anyone. And when he did, Tomlinson would simply do a finger roll with the football and hand the ball to the referee.
But one time, at the urging of his sister, he did a dance, which immediately brought a scolding from his mother, Loreane, and advice from an official who told him such dances were reserved for players in the National Football League, not Pop Warner, no matter how big their ambitions or dreams.
Fast-forward to an opulent room in a large house in an upscale San Diego suburb, featuring sports memorabilia, including autographed helmets of Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, and Jim Brown, whom Tomlinson regards as heroes and role models.
Now six years into a career in which the final stop will be the Hall of Fame, Tomlinson can call his heroes peers.
A stretch? Listen to Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, who as a player and coach has witnessed the best the NFL has had to offer the last 25 years: "I believe he is the finest running back to ever wear an NFL uniform."
A stretch? Tomlinson's vitals this season -- 348 carries for 1,815 yards, 5.2 yards per carry; 28 touchdowns; 56 receptions for 508 yards and 3 touchdowns; NFL Offensive Player of the Year; MVP; and record-holder for touchdowns in a season (31) and points in a season (186), a record that stood for 46 years. (The Golden Boy, Paul Hornung of Green Bay, had 176 points in 1960.)
The Chargers media guide devotes 15 pages to Tomlinson, compiling every yard since he was a first-round draft pick in 2001 out of TCU. He has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of his six seasons. He has done everything an NFL running back can do.
The records do not matter much now, Tomlinson says. Maybe later, but for now, "To be honest, they all kind of run together at this point. I can't keep track of them. I leave that to you guys."
Right now it is about winning a playoff game, which hasn't happened to the Chargers since they beat the Steelers in the 1994 AFC Championship game. "It's about this team," says Tomlinson.
"Defenses are taught, 'Don't let 21 beat you,' " said Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. "Watch where he is. If he's catching swings and stuff wide open, then they're getting ripped. I think he has a great effect, even when he doesn't touch the ball. Obviously, when he does, he has an even bigger one."
