AP News, January 5th, 2007
Toward the end of LaDainian Tomlinson's spectacular record-setting season, San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer ran out of superlatives to describe the super running back. That's saying something, since Schottenheimer was an English major in college.
So Schottenheimer shifted directions as quickly as Tomlinson does.
"For all the skills he has as a player, they pale by comparison to the person," the coach said.
Tomlinson ran away with The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award Thursday the way he eluded defenders in leading his team to the NFL's best record (14-2) and a favorite's role for the Super Bowl.
Tomlinson received 44 of the 50 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Former teammate Drew Brees, now the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, got four votes, and Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning got two.
Tomlinson had one of the greatest seasons in NFL history.
Among the league records he broke were Shaun Alexander's mark for touchdowns by scoring 31 (28 rushing), and Paul Hornung's 46-year-old scoring record. Tomlinson scored 186 points, eclipsing Hornung's mark by 10 points.
Tomlinson rushed for a league-high 1,815 yards on 348 carries, had 56 receptions for 508 yards and was 2-for-3 as a passer, both completions going for touchdowns.
That's Tomlinson the football player.
Off the field, he's as humble as they come, which is what strikes Schottenheimer and Tomlinson's teammates.
"It's more important to me to be a better person," said Tomlinson, who appreciates the praise.
"At the end of the day that's what people remember. Football is a game that I obviously love to play and a lot of guys enjoy playing the game. But that's not who I am. I'm not just a football player. I'm a human being. I respect other human beings and that's what it's all about, giving respect to other human beings and just really trying to have an impact on people's lives that I come across because I am in a position to do that."
Right tackle Shane Olivea described Tomlinson as humble, unassuming and laid-back.
"The biggest thing I tell people is if your son or your child is ever going to be a superstar or famous, you want them to be like him," Olivea said. "For as much success as he has, it's just like it never goes to his head. It's so rare to see that. It's refreshing."
Fullback Lorenzo Neal, who helps open the holes that spring Tomlinson, agreed.
"It couldn't happen to a better person, a man who is the face and the perfect representative of the National Football League," Neal said. "He represents what every player should be."
Tomlinson scored only three times in the first four games, then had 28 touchdowns in the next 10.
"It just kind of got on a roll," Tomlinson explained. "Touchdowns, as they say, come in bunches. That was kind of the way it happened. It seemed like once we started scoring that we couldn't stop."
Of all his records and accomplishments this year, L.T. said the highlights were breaking Hornung's scoring record and winning the rushing title.
Noting that Hornung was also a kicker, Tomlinson said, "To be able to break that record that stood for 40 some years by scoring touchdowns, I think for me is a huge accomplishment. I think leading the league in rushing solidifies your position as being a running back."
Few players have approached what Tomlinson achieved as San Diego won its final 10 games. Alexander, last season's MVP, understood what L.T. did.
"He won't realize it until after the year is over. Because when you're in a groove you're just about winning games," Alexander said late in the season. "Their season almost looks like ours last year; it's kind of funny. He won't recognize it until it's all over with, and then he'll be like, 'Dang that was sweet.'"
Tomlinson rushed for at least 100 yards 10 times this season, including nine in a row, and scored two or more TDs in 10 games. The highlights were four-touchdown games against San Francisco in a 48-19 romp and Cincinnati in a 49-41 shootout in which San Diego trailed 28-7 at halftime.
Those performances prompted Schottenheimer to declare L.T. the best running back in pro football history. And the NFL has had some great ones, including Jim Brown, O.J. Simpson and Walter Payton.
"It definitely feels good because these are all guys I grew up watching and idolizing at times," Tomlinson said. "To me, guys who could do no wrong. It just says the kind of hard work I have put in to kind of prove that I belong in this league, now proving that, I guess I belong to be mentioned with guys like with Jim Brown and Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders."
Tomlinson is the first Charger to win the MVP award. He joins Brown (1957 and '65), Simpson (1973) and Payton (1977) among brilliant running backs to take the honor.
"You think about it, and so many guys have won this award," Tomlinson said. "I think it's just a tribute to the season that we have had that guys around me have made it possible for me to win this award."
