LaDainian Tomlinson retires from broadcasting career
Former running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson has decided to call it a career as an NFL analyst.
The 44-year-old announced his retirement from NFL Network Tuesday after 10 years serving as an on-air analyst.
“I walked away from football at the age of 32!!!” Tomlinson wrote on Twitter. “Today at the age of 44, I’ve decided to retire from being an on-air football analyst! I’d like to send my sincere appreciation and thanks to @nflnetwork for 10 great years!! Thanks to all my colleagues and friends. It was a blast being able to stay close to the game creating great football shows with you guys. I look forward to all the opportunities that this new chapter in my life will bring!!”
Tomlinson regularly appeared on shows such as “NFL Total Access” and “NFL GameDay Live.” He received well-wishes from many of his colleagues after announcing his departure from the network.
“An absolute pro,” NFL Network national correspondent James Palmer tweeted. “You’ve been one in the everything you’ve done. I’ve learned more from you during our time together than you probably know man. We’ll miss you.”
LaDainian Tomlinson walks away from NFL Network following Hall of Fame playing career
Tomlinson joined NFL Network following an 11-year career with the Los Angeles Chargers (2001-09) and New York Jets (2010-11). He rushed for 13,684 yards and 145 touchdowns, including a league-leading 1,815 yards and 28 touchdowns during his MVP-winning campaign in 2006. Tomlinson racked up an additional 4,772 yards on 624 receptions and 17 touchdowns over the course of his career. He took his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017 notably alongside Kurt Warner and Terrell Davis among others.
Perhaps his most infamous moment on air came in 2017 after he accused then Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott of quitting during a 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos. Fellow colleague Michael Irvin pushed back on Tomlinson’s claim, calling him out in a radio interview on WFAN.
“We are going to have a conversation about this tomorrow night. … I don’t care what anyone says,” Irvin said, via the New York Post. “I am a pure football player, period. That’s what I am. Of all the things I’ve gone through in life, when it comes to things that disturb me, none of them are tantamount to being called a quitter as a pure football player. And the kid was so far away from quitting, I just think it’s absolutely wrong. There’s a difference between frustration and quitting.”