LaDainian Tomlinson lets his true colors show

[PatsFans.com Article]

LaDainian Tomlinson lets his true colors show
By: John Morgan

LaDainian Tomlinson removed any doubt that may have been remaining in regards to what he is all about when he said this week that he would prefer the personal recognition of the Hall of Fame over the team goal of winning a Super Bowl championship...

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[sly24]

He's only saying that because he never won.

 

[RussFrancis]

He's only saying that because he never won.

He never won because he was always saying silly stuff like this. Which only showed he never quite got it.

 

[randomk1]

Nice for choosing this pic. I truly started hating him after that. What a loser...it is so fitting that he never won a ring.

 

[Rob0729]

“That’s why the Chargers could never win the big one,” the source said. “L.T. was selfish and a selfish leader. They had all the talent in the world and should have beaten the Patriots [in 2006], but they couldn’t do it because they had too many guys like L.T. and he was the ringleader.”

Source: L.T.’s comments show why Chargers didn’t win | ProFootballTalk

LT was always about himself.

I remember Dan Marino say he would trade his gold jacket for one Super Bowl ring. Any real competitor wants to win a championship.

I heard Shannon Sharpe this week defend Tomlinson on Sirius. He said that he loves his Super Bowl ring, but getting into the Hall is something special that only a handful of players ever get to do. But think it is easy for a guy like Sharpe with three Super Bowl rings to dismiss the value of them compared to the Hall.

Bottom line, football is a team sport and you work with your team to win a Super Bowl every year. If you care more about personal accolades over the team goal, you get a ringless HOFer.

 

[Calciumee]

I saw on twitter that someone asked Troy Aikman whether he would choose his Superbowls or his place in the HoF and he chose the Superbowl!

I would much prefer to tell my grandchildren about playing on a team that won it all than being considered a great of the game, but not being part of the best team!

 

[Ring 6]

Sports are supposed to be played to win. Performing well is rewarding, but performing well and losing is hollow. In all the competitve sports I have played and coached in my life, there are always some people who are more concerned with their ego than the team. Playing well and losing (usually coupled with blaming teammates) is more rewarding to some people than being a part of a win, even if you didn't have your best day.
I think that Tomlinson does kind of stand out in this. His constant attempts to tell people he was classy is another example. But there are way more guys that think like him that I think most people realize.
Doesn't make it right, but it is consistent with the talent, level, confidence and work it takes to get to the top.

 

[mayoclinic]

Any real competitor wants to win a championship. Bottom line, football is a team sport and you work with your team to win a Super Bowl every year. If you care more about personal accolades over the team goal, you get a ringless HOFer.

Well said. If you value personal achievement over team success, you should pick a different sport. Team sports require that individuals put the team ahead of themselves in order to truly be successful.

 

[ay-yo]

I know LT is gonna get killed for his response but IMO it was a loaded question. What was he supposed to say, something like

"ya, I'd rather have a ring, it's my biggest regret and eats at me every day"

sorry but that wasn't going to happen. I think it's human nature to look at which side your on and then try to make your argument around that.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I saw on twitter that someone asked Troy Aikman whether he would choose his Superbowls or his place in the HoF and he chose the Superbowl!

I would much prefer to tell my grandchildren about playing on a team that won it all than being considered a great of the game, but not being part of the best team!

Tedy said the same and more. He would rather earn a championship than have 40 guys decide he was a HOF talent. Says lots of guys knock on that door only to have a handful of writers decline them that honor. On the field it's your play in those moments that determines if you prevail. Tedy of course won't make the HOF, but then again he never sat on the sidelines with his visor slammed shut pouting when his team had a chance to win a championship...

LT had talent. But I can recall multiple occasions when he checked out of games when the going got rough only to check back in when his team appeared to be clawing it's way back in it without him... I never felt he was sacrificing himself in those situations so much as shoving his way back into the limelight.

Bruschi: Super Bowl Over HOF Is No-Brainer - YouTube

 

[Ive_Killed_People]

One thing everyone is overlooking. SuperBowl Winners are TEAMS but the Hall Of Fame has CLASSES and everyone knows LT is CLASSY

 

[randomk1]

All this talk reminds me of Rodney in the 2003 america's game. Watching him come back after breaking his arm and crying with the confetti coming down on him after the victory. What a great shot!

I'm fairly confident that this is a guy who would pick the ring even though he is a borderline HoF-er

 

[Triumph]

I'm fairly confident that this is a guy who would pick the ring even though he is a borderline HoF-er

If Seau is a HOFer, then Harrison is too. Those 2 players stood out on those Charger teams even though they lost.

Plus, doesnt RH have double digit sacks and INTs?

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

As much as LT is a moron, I have to give him a pass on this one. Like as has already been pointed out. What was he supposed to say to that comment. He is never getting the one, so the only one that even is remotely still attainable is the one he is "states" that he would prefer to have.

If he were still playing an made this statement, it would take on much more significance then him saying it as a retired player.

 

[everlong]

If Seau is a HOFer, then Harrison is too. Those 2 players stood out on those Charger teams even though they lost.

Plus, doesnt RH have double digit sacks and INTs?

He's the only player in NFL history with 30 sacks and 30 interceptions.

EDIT: He was the first I should say. I forgot Ray Lewis has done it since.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

As much as LT is a moron, I have to give him a pass on this one. Like as has already been pointed out. What was he supposed to say to that comment. He is never getting the one, so the only one that even is remotely still attainable is the one he is "states" that he would prefer to have.

If he were still playing an made this statement, it would take on much more significance then him saying it as a retired player.

I think the point would be to stay humble and acknowledge what it took to get him there and that he could never have achieved greatness without his fellow teammates (who made him better than he was alone).

He could have gone in many directions to answer the questino by a different means, but as the OP posted...shows his true colors.

 

[upstater1]

Guys, you know me, I'm classy. I would not join in this thread to kick a guy when everyone is piling on, I'm just not that type of guy, but you know what they say, if you ain't playing to win, you ain't doing nothing.

 

[WhiZa]

Guys, you know me, I'm classy. I would not join in this thread to kick a guy when everyone is piling on, I'm just not that type of guy, but you know what they say, if you ain't playing to win, you ain't doing nothing.

I thought it was, if you aren't playing for the Hall of Fame then you aint doing nothing

 

[sly24]

This is the only thing I have to say to LT about this:

 

[Patriot Missile]

I'll never know the extent of his injury during the playoffs of 07. Only LT does. Sprained mcl I'd assume would be tough to cut on as a rb. However the lasting image of him going Ricky Williams visor style on the sideline leaves me with a lasting impression. Fair or not. To see Philip Rivers out there with a torn ACL competing to the end gives me a much different perspective on his desire to win.

Fantasy owners can look back on this guy with fond memories of him helping them win championships. He was as talented as they come and a good citizen of San Diego as far as we know. I wish him the best with the rest of his life. What I really don't wish is to see him in a broadcast booth, reporting on the sidelines or in a television studio. Other than that, good luck LT. By the way, there is only 1 true LT and that was Lawrence Taylor.