SDUT: Tomlinson back in town, seems ready to walk away

[Robin Miller]

Tomlinson back in town, seems ready to walk away

By Kevin Acee

Friday, May 11, 2012

LaDainian Tomlinson brought the Qualcomm Stadium crowd to its feet just
by being there.

Then they rose for him as he came to the lectern to honor Junior Seau.
After a rousing speech in which he credited Seau with teaching him
everything from the importance of bringing junk food to training camp to
starting a charitable foundation, the crowd again stood to cheer.

Tomlinson was the last of the speakers or dignitaries off the field on
which he used to play. On the way to the parking lot, walking the
hallway he walked so many times in nine seasons with the Chargers, he
spoke of helping players make the transition after their football
careers and talked of how he is doing just that.

"I'm pretty much done with football," he said. "I read a book to help me
prepare. The league needs to more to help guys prepare."

Tomlinson, who will be 33 in June, played for the Chargers from 2001-09.
He played the past two years for the New York Jets.