Tomlinson climbs to 8th on all-time list

Mamba · Dec 7, 2009

CLEVELAND -- LaDainian Tomlinson walked back into San Diego's locker room to meet the special guest who wanted to offer congratulations.

Jim Brown was waiting for him.

"Yeah, a perfect day," Tomlinson said as he headed toward the Chargers' team bus. "I've thought a long time about this day. If I was going to pass Jim, I wanted to do it here in Cleveland, and I wanted to talk to him in the locker room after the game."

Tomlinson stiff-armed Cleveland's Hall of Famer out of eighth place on the career rushing list and scored his 150th career TD on a 4-yard run as the Chargers won their seventh straight and 15th in a row in December, beating the Browns 30-23 on Sunday.

In moving past Brown, Tomlinson fulfilled a childhood dream that began with games of touch football in Texas.

"As a kid playing football in the yard, I looked up to all the great running backs," Tomlinson said. "But there were a lot of days I was Jim Brown out there on the football field. To do it here in Cleveland is extra special. I can't even tell you what it means because it seems like it was supposed to happen here in Cleveland."

After Tomlinson passed Brown on an 11-yard burst up the middle in the fourth quarter, San Diego's running back pointed toward the 73-year-old who was sitting in a luxury suite. He patted his heart and offered a salute.

"He's a class guy," Brown said. "We love each other. I came back here because I wanted to show my respect. My position in history doesn't matter to me, but the respect that I get and the respect I give is highly important. I could never do what a Barry Sanders or a Walter Payton or a Hugh McElhenny could do. They were totally different than me. I would break my legs trying to move like Barry Sanders."

Antonio Gates set a career high with 167 receiving yards for the Chargers (9-3), who dragged their cleats early and only led 13-7 at halftime. But quarterback Philip Rivers led San Diego on touchdown drives of 85 and 83 yards in just over nine minutes in the third quarter to open a 27-7 lead.

Tomlinson's TD with 5:58 left in the third put the Chargers up by 20, and placed the running back in elite company among NFL greats.

Tomlinson reached 150 TDs faster than any player in league history, hitting the milestone in his 137th game. Emmitt Smith needed 160 games to reach 150 and Jerry Rice didn't score his 150th until his 167th.

"I've always really enjoyed scoring touchdowns more than anything," Tomlinson said. "Part of the reason is that's how you win the game -- scoring touchdowns. I've always said that if I'm scoring touchdowns, then I think we're winning. So that's pretty special."

So, which was better, No. 150 or surpassing Brown?

"Passing Jim Brown. He transcended generations," Tomlinson said. "I can remember my father talking about Jim Brown as a kid. He loved him. Everybody loved Jim Brown and rightfully so. Even today when you talk about the great running backs, the majority of people will say Jim Brown is the best ever."

Tomlinson finished with 64 yards on 20 carries and has 12,321 yards. Tony Dorsett (12,739) is seventh all-time.
Click to expand...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=291206005

Mamba · Dec 7, 2009

I don't know where this dude will end up on the list, but he's still got a few respectable years left in him.

I wonder if he's got 25 TDs left in him to tie Emmitt Smith for 2nd all time for total TD's.

DP · Dec 8, 2009

The Chargers and LT take on the struggling Cowboys, how much do you see coming from him this game?

Mamba · Dec 8, 2009

Well, he's going home to Texas and he got a little emotional realizing this could very well be his last time playing in Texas, so he'll have some extra motivation. However, I expect an aerial assault from my boys.

DP · Dec 9, 2009

If he continues to disk out yards and TDs, I will be happy. Keep giving me points LT!

Log in or Sign up

Tomlinson climbs to 8th on all-time list

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

DP He shoots, he scores!

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

DP He shoots, he scores!

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Tomlinson climbs to 8th on all-time list

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

DP He shoots, he scores!

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

DP He shoots, he scores!

Share This Page

Useful Searches