1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: Man, we were a very confident bunch at that time, 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,880 Speaker 1: and to be quite honest with you, there was no 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: way we thought we were gonna lose that game. You know. 4 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: We we were clearly felt like we were the best team. 5 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: We were playing at our ultimate best. We just felt 6 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:19,600 Speaker 1: like it was only a matter of time, you know, 7 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:23,759 Speaker 1: before we imposed our will, before you know, we started 8 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 1: to take control of the football game. And you know, 9 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: we kind of fed off each other. You know, as 10 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: the offense played well, you would see the defense turn 11 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:37,480 Speaker 1: it up and start to get sacks or turnovers, and 12 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:41,280 Speaker 1: then the special teams were sprosy would come into play 13 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:44,880 Speaker 1: with a big return. So we all felt fed off 14 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,199 Speaker 1: each other and it was like kind of that snowball effect. 15 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: Once we got going, there was nothing you could do 16 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: to stop us. It's week fourteen of the two thousand 17 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: and six seasons. The Chargers have just beaten Buffalo Bills 18 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: and approved their record at ten and two, tied with 19 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 1: the Colts and the Bears for the best in football. 20 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:09,759 Speaker 1: But despite sitting atop the NFL standings, the division wasn't 21 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 1: quite clinched. The Chargers would have to beat the Denver 22 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 1: Broncos at Qualcom to lock up the AFC West. Ladanian Tomlinson, 23 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,279 Speaker 1: on the other hand, is fresh off passing his idol 24 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:22,840 Speaker 1: and mentor Emmett Smith's career high in touchdowns. He entered 25 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: the week with twenty six total scores, just three shy 26 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 1: from passing the all time record. What would Happen Next 27 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 1: is a game forever etched in Chargers history for Chris Hayrey. 28 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: I'm Haley Elwood. This is Running for History, Episode six, 29 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 1: a championship moment presented by Lazy Dog San Diego Chargers 30 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 1: to elect Ladanian Tomlinson. Ladanian den closer football immortality and 31 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: the hand off to Thomlinson and he will gallop in 32 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 1: the Charger Marty. Hey, Chargers fans, this holiday season, We're 33 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 1: partnering with Lazy Dog to help build homes in our 34 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: communities by supporting Habitat for Humanity. Right now, we're auctioning 35 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 1: off awesome Chargers merch and experiences plus a one of 36 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,679 Speaker 1: a kind of autographed playhouse. Start your bid at b 37 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 1: I dot l Y Backslash Chargers Playhouse. You can also 38 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 1: help by heading over to your local Lazy Dog to 39 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 1: purchase a gingerbread house. One percent of the net proceeds 40 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: go to supporting Habitat for Humanity. By the start of 41 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: Week fourteen, the talk of the football world focused on 42 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 1: two letters LT. Ladanian Tomlinson's twenty three rushing touchdowns not 43 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: only led the league at the time, but they would 44 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 1: have stayed the most scores that year even if LT 45 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: season had ended at that point. But for Tomlinson, he 46 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 1: appreciated the stardom just as much as he did the scoring. 47 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: Just ask Eli Times writer Sam Farmer. You know, I 48 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 1: remember being at the Jay Lenos Show when LT. It 49 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:57,040 Speaker 1: was probably a December of two thousand and six, so 50 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 1: he was approaching the record and he had gone from 51 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: star NFL player almost to a pop culture type icon. 52 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 1: He had transitioned over and he was that big. And 53 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 1: Jay Lenos show had him fly up on a jet 54 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,679 Speaker 1: helicopter and they had two jet engines on the thing 55 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 1: and two pilots, and the Chargers made sure that they 56 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 1: had a back up every possible way. So it was 57 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:28,839 Speaker 1: LT and his wife came up and flew up over 58 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: Newport and I just remember thinking, Wow, this is a 59 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 1: pretty heavy experience for a guy from TCU to soar 60 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 1: up the coast of California. On an off day and 61 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 1: spend it at the Tonight Show and they had back down. 62 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: But Hollywood aside, it was all football for LT. There 63 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: was a big game on the line that week, as 64 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: Tomlinson and the Bolts prepared to face the Broncos at home. 65 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 1: After coming back from a three score deficit a few 66 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 1: weeks prior, Tomlinson entered Week fourteen with a keen focus, 67 00:03:57,320 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: knowing two things were on the line, his touchdown record 68 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 1: and up a West title. You're aware. I was aware 69 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 1: of the magnitude of the moment. They have been talked 70 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 1: about all week locally, you know, the news papers. But 71 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 1: I think as a player, UM, I just tried. I 72 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:19,679 Speaker 1: tried to block it out and focus on my job 73 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 1: and what was expected of me the team we were playing. 74 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: So I tried to make that week as normal as possible. 75 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: All the things that I normally did. I did everything 76 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: that I normally ate. I ate, and um, you know, 77 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: because players were creatures of habit. You know, if we 78 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: if we get out under that structure of that habit, 79 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,040 Speaker 1: you know, it can it can mess us up. And 80 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 1: so I was very so much like stick to the script, 81 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 1: you know, like don't listen to you know, people saying, Oh, 82 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: he's gonna break it this week. You know, this is 83 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 1: gonna be the week he only needs X amount of 84 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: all of that stuff. I blocked it out. I didn't 85 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 1: watch the news, I didn't hear anything. But I've heard 86 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 1: the whispers, you know, obviously in the locker room, guys 87 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: talking about it, um. But I tried to stay laser focus. 88 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 1: Division games always mean a little something extract and with 89 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,679 Speaker 1: the division title and record like lts on the line, 90 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 1: you could feel the difference. At Qualcom. As president of 91 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 1: football Operations, John Spanos remembers it team's success was always 92 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,839 Speaker 1: the priority all former kicker Nate Kating, we're called the 93 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 1: pregame vibe that they headed into the queue. Well, you know, 94 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 1: for division games, it's so important to get to win, 95 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 1: you know, and back then we were focused on even 96 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: though we were having a great year, like nothing was 97 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: clinched really in terms of playoff spots and all that. 98 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 1: It's like, okay, like let's get this division clanch, let's 99 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 1: get playoff spot clinch, let's get a bike clinch. This 100 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 1: is the kicker. You're you're always sort of a little 101 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:44,480 Speaker 1: bit in your own little world, but you get a 102 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 1: sense of the moment, and I just remember Qualcom had 103 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:49,600 Speaker 1: that special feel to it that day. You know, you're 104 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: coming down into the into the valley there as we 105 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: always would driving into the stadium, coming in the entrance 106 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 1: there on the on the north side, and you know, 107 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: you can still smell and see all the tailgates, and 108 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: it just had this special aura to it that something 109 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 1: nique was going to happen that day. And as a player, 110 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 1: when you're getting in the locker room and those sort 111 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: of situations, you kind of know, but you also kind 112 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,279 Speaker 1: of have to step across the threshold a little bit 113 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 1: and have this ability to put all that stuff aside 114 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,479 Speaker 1: and not really think about it. Chargers Beat reporter Fernando 115 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,160 Speaker 1: Ramirez attended the game as a fan and remember just 116 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 1: how different the energy was that day. I remember there 117 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,280 Speaker 1: was a lot of excitement and everybody's like, he's gonna 118 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:26,680 Speaker 1: break it, He's gonna break it. And everybody's walking in, 119 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 1: they're all excited, and they're all juice. A lot of 120 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: twenty one jerseys, a lot of signs saying do it today, LT. 121 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: I came to see LT break the record, all kinds 122 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: of stuff, and it was just a you could tell 123 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 1: there was a lot of excitement. It felt kind of 124 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: like a playoff game, just because at that time the 125 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 1: Broncos and the Chargers hated each other. I mean, they've 126 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:48,240 Speaker 1: never liked each other, but this was like the Jake 127 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: Cutler and the Philip Rivers, like the whole talking chirping 128 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 1: back and forth. And I just remember everybody had disdain 129 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:58,560 Speaker 1: for Jake Cutler, disdain for Mike Shanahan. So it was 130 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: just one of those games where you knew it was 131 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,840 Speaker 1: it was gonna be a huge It was a huge day, 132 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: especially because the Charges were having a great season up 133 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 1: until that point. And I remember that morning, you know, 134 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 1: waking up feeling really really good, you know, really good 135 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:20,400 Speaker 1: about the day. Um, and had my normal you know, 136 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: I'm let breakfast and you know, my normal smoothie that 137 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 1: I would drink for breakfast and then on my way 138 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 1: to the stadium. It was really peaceful that day, and um, 139 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 1: once I got to the game, though, I was locked in, 140 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: you know, I actually, to be honest, I didn't know 141 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 1: him to what happened that day. I really didn't know 142 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: because I knew Denver had a really good defense and 143 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 1: they knew, well we knew that we were gonna try 144 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: to get you know what I mean, Tomlinson was right. 145 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:57,559 Speaker 1: Even the Broncos knew what was on the line. Former 146 00:07:57,640 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: Denver safety Dominique Foxworth remembered how his team game plan 147 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,760 Speaker 1: to stop number twenty one every game, not just with 148 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 1: what loom large that week for the Broncos. Back then 149 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:09,440 Speaker 1: when we played at Chargers, stopping LT was it like 150 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 1: that was the point that was the name of the game. 151 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 1: We didn't care much about anything else. The point was 152 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: stopping LT. And he wasn't new to us, like he 153 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 1: was college superstar and we knew who he was. Obviously 154 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: he was in the league before I got there, but 155 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: everyone knew who ELTI was, like I played with him 156 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,280 Speaker 1: on the video game. So of course when I got 157 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: to the league, it was like, all right, but this 158 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 1: is gonna be a tall task. And the coaches were 159 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 1: certainly not intimidated, but they were certainly aware because that 160 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 1: was the game plan. And even at cornerback, we were 161 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 1: focused on stopping the run with LT because we thought 162 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 1: everything in that offense stammed from him. The Broncos were 163 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 1: going to give LT in the Bolts everything they had. 164 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,079 Speaker 1: Marcus McNeil knew blocking for number twenty one wouldn't be 165 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 1: easy that day, But the team had another X factor 166 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 1: up their sleep. Their head coach, ever, the inspiration Marty Schottenheimer, 167 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:02,560 Speaker 1: always knew how to get the most out of his players. Yeah, 168 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 1: that's just who he was. Like he was a general's general, 169 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 1: you know, like he knew how to get his team 170 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 1: behind him. He knew how to get his team round up. 171 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:14,200 Speaker 1: He knew how to get it out of you every weekend. 172 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 1: And that was the thing that I think was good 173 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 1: for us because we were such a young team, you know, 174 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 1: where we might have lacked a little bit of discipline, 175 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,959 Speaker 1: we still had that firing ambition in us. So he 176 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: played more to the firing ambitions side of us and 177 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 1: really got us fired up so that we can play fast. 178 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:34,079 Speaker 1: Martie's game game motivation must have worked, because the Boats 179 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 1: got off to a quick fourteen nothing lead thanks to 180 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:40,719 Speaker 1: a touchdown from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates second and 181 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 1: eight and Rivers to the end zone for the touchdown. 182 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 1: It's Antonio Gates boxing out, shielding two defenders and scoring 183 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,760 Speaker 1: the touchdown, as well as Lorenzo Neil's only score that year. 184 00:09:56,760 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 1: There's the ball it's scoring to Neil. Neil take it 185 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:05,240 Speaker 1: around the left side, but by the end of the 186 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 1: first quarter something was missing. Tomlinson was held scoreless, but 187 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:12,319 Speaker 1: that didn't phase the Bolts. As Chargers director of Football 188 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 1: and Medical Services James Collins remembers it, the focus was 189 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:18,199 Speaker 1: on everyone playing their best, not just for the team, 190 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 1: but for LT. You knew that the guys were not 191 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 1: only pulling for the team obviously, but just doing everything 192 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 1: that they could to make sure that LT got all 193 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:31,760 Speaker 1: the opportunities that he needed to accomplish the goal that 194 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 1: I'm sure he had set out for on a personal level, 195 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 1: but also that the team wanted everybody to see what 196 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 1: a great athlete that we had and great player we 197 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,960 Speaker 1: had around the league. So you could just feel the 198 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:49,600 Speaker 1: intensity on the sideline, knowing that whenever the defense was 199 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 1: on the field, hey, we got to get off of 200 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:54,319 Speaker 1: here so the offense can get back on. And when 201 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:58,840 Speaker 1: the offense went out, it's like, Okay, everybody do their assignments, 202 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: because we got to get the is done. It wouldn't 203 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 1: be until ten minutes left and a half when Tomlinson 204 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:05,960 Speaker 1: would score his twenty seventh total touchdown of the year. 205 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 1: Time preast Holmes for second all time and touchdowns in 206 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:12,839 Speaker 1: a season, crowd with a little chance anticipating an LT 207 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: score second and go for a number twenty seven on 208 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: the season. That's one off matching the record of Alexander Well. 209 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,720 Speaker 1: I mean, I think it was just a I guess 210 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 1: you could say a relief. But at the same time, 211 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: it's like, you know, I think we should we could 212 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 1: have done this earlier, and you know, let's see how 213 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 1: much how many more we can get and how much 214 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 1: more you know, we can help him accomplish on this 215 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 1: special day. After another touchdown pass from Rivers to Gates, 216 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 1: the Bolts went into halftime up twenty eight to three. 217 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: The AFC West looked like the Chargers for the taking 218 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:00,719 Speaker 1: and that's gonna be it for the Broncos and of 219 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 1: the first half with San Diego in front twenty eight 220 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:09,560 Speaker 1: to three, Tom Munson walking off after another touchdown today, 221 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 1: giving him twenty seven on the season. Hey Chargers fans, 222 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:19,679 Speaker 1: this holiday season, we're partnering with Lazy Dog to help 223 00:12:19,720 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 1: build homes in our communities by supporting Habitat for Humanity. 224 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 1: Right now, we're auctioning it off Awesome Chargers merch and 225 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:29,679 Speaker 1: experiences plus a one of a kind autographed playhouse. Start 226 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 1: your bid at b I dot l y Backslash Chargers Playhouse. 227 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 1: You can also help by heading over to your local 228 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 1: Lazy Dog to purchase a gingerbread house. One of the 229 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 1: net proceeds go to supporting Habitat for Humanity. As Collins 230 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 1: and equipment manager Chris Smith recalled, the team wasn't going 231 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:52,439 Speaker 1: to let Denver win in their house just because lt 232 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,959 Speaker 1: was who he was and as a person and as 233 00:12:56,000 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 1: a player, I think guys felt, you know, obligated in 234 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:04,200 Speaker 1: some regards. If I'm not speaking for anyone, you know, 235 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 1: to play the best game that they could possibly play 236 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 1: so that he could have the best opportunity. Yeah, I 237 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 1: think at halftime we you know, we were up and 238 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:17,880 Speaker 1: games games can get away from me. One thing I 239 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:19,679 Speaker 1: know about the NFL. You can have a big lead 240 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 1: at halftime and you know, teams will come back in 241 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 1: the second half. We've had it happened to us, We've 242 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 1: done it to other teams, so you know, I think 243 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:29,199 Speaker 1: it was a matter of what we got to keep 244 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: the you know, hopefully these guys will keep their foot 245 00:13:31,280 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: on the gas. However, the third quarter belonged to Denver 246 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,920 Speaker 1: to Tony Scheffler. Touchdown catches and a field goal helped 247 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,080 Speaker 1: the Broncos scores seventeen unanswered points in the third bring 248 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 1: the Chargers lead to eight. But as Collins, Sean Merriman, 249 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:47,320 Speaker 1: and Smith remember, giving up those scores was not going 250 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 1: to affect this Chargers team. No, they weren't gonna let 251 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 1: that happen. I really believe that. And you know, even 252 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 1: though they came back, I mean, it's just like any 253 00:13:57,880 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 1: other game. You know, the other guys on the other 254 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:01,600 Speaker 1: side of the oh, they get paid to play two 255 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:05,439 Speaker 1: and I'm sure they knew what was going on and 256 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 1: what was about to happen. I don't think at one 257 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 1: point in time during the season, not once we felt defeated. 258 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:14,920 Speaker 1: I don't think one time that. But this, this goes 259 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 1: with the confidence that we were playing with the entire season. 260 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: I never felt like we were down and out of it, 261 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: not one point in time during that season, not that 262 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: game or no game really, um, and we'd know we've 263 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 1: done it before, We've been there before. I think everybody 264 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 1: felt like, you know, just keep yelling and we'll end 265 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: up winning this game. You know. I think we came 266 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 1: back in some games that year and won. We had 267 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:39,120 Speaker 1: leads in some games where we just found ways to 268 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 1: pull them out in the end. And and and so 269 00:14:42,760 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 1: I think the team took their best shot, took Denver 270 00:14:45,960 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: the best shot in the third quarter and just say, hey, 271 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 1: let's let's finish this thing off. And and then you know, 272 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: LT took over and it wasn't to be denied getting 273 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 1: in the end zone. But Thominson needed some help if 274 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: he wanted to make history that day, and he got 275 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:05,880 Speaker 1: it when the Chargers defense, specifically Luis Castillo and Sean Merriman, 276 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 1: forced Jay Cutler to turn the ball over on downs. 277 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: Castillo went on. Cutler had a sack all the way 278 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: back at the twenty. Merriman in there also, but Castillo 279 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:27,280 Speaker 1: just bursting through and running him down. Go back and 280 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:30,240 Speaker 1: look at that team. You know, guys like Luis Castillo 281 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 1: and Jamal Williams, Joxis there, Igor Shansky, You just you 282 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:38,960 Speaker 1: look at across the board and some of those big 283 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: stops and things we were able to provide at that time, 284 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 1: and Sean Phillips being another side. I mean, just go 285 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:50,040 Speaker 1: down the list of guys who stepped up and made 286 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: big plays at that moment, It's it's hard to forget 287 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 1: about those. The turnover on downs by Castillo set the 288 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:58,840 Speaker 1: Chargers up in prime territory on the Broncos twenty yard line. 289 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:01,960 Speaker 1: See for a QB sneak by Rivers. Every single play 290 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 1: that drive was a handoff to LT, including this one 291 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 1: at the Denver six. Approaching four minutes. That's all four 292 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 1: minutes from winning a division. Tomlinson to match the record 293 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: LT time, indeed tying Alexander's efforts of a year ago 294 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 1: that played h Ladanian Tomlinson into the record books, as 295 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: he was now tied with Sean Alexander for the most 296 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 1: single season touchdowns in NFL history, not to mention it 297 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 1: was his seventh consecutive multi score game. The atmosphere was electric, 298 00:16:57,280 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: and whether you were a fan in the stands like 299 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 1: Ramirez or a player like center Nick Hardwick, you couldn't 300 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:05,480 Speaker 1: help but notice it was like a concert. Everybody was standing, 301 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 1: nobody's sitting. I remember, everybody's like looking down and they're 302 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 1: looking at LT. And Antonio goes into and he goes 303 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 1: into into motion and then LT comes right. I mean, 304 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,840 Speaker 1: Lorenzo Nell was a cannon ball. Takes two guys out 305 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 1: opens it up LT scores, everybody goes wild, they get excite. 306 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,199 Speaker 1: Everybody's high five. You don't know who the heck is 307 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 1: sitting next to you high five and everybody you're getting excited, 308 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 1: and you're like, oh my god. And now reality set 309 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:35,359 Speaker 1: in when the Chargers kicked off and you're kind of like, 310 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:38,040 Speaker 1: is he gonna get it today or not? Like, and 311 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:40,840 Speaker 1: you're sitting there all Auntie and I remember, like I remember, 312 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,199 Speaker 1: people were shaking, their hands were shaking and everything, and 313 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 1: you're like, is this gonna happen or not? And it's 314 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,879 Speaker 1: just and it felt like a movie, Like I don't know, 315 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:51,680 Speaker 1: it just felt like a movie because everybody was so 316 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 1: nervous about what was gonna happen. And I just remember 317 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:57,119 Speaker 1: everybody's like, like like one guy turned around and goes half 318 00:17:57,119 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 1: faith he's gonna do it. He's gonna do it, And 319 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:02,400 Speaker 1: you're like, dude, like Jay Cutler's probably gonna throw down 320 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,240 Speaker 1: the field. They're gonna probably end up end in the 321 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:08,320 Speaker 1: game here. So it was just one of those things 322 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 1: where you're like hoping for it, especially because that's the 323 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 1: game that a lot of people paid too. That's a 324 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 1: lot of game that's that was the game that people 325 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: wanted to see him because people were expanding their money 326 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:20,720 Speaker 1: to go watch LT and they wanted to be a 327 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 1: part of history. Here. I am. I'm so young and 328 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: dumb and naive, and I never read the paper and 329 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:29,639 Speaker 1: I didn't care what anybody thought about anything. And I honestly, Haley, 330 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 1: I did not know until we scored the tying touchdown 331 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 1: that they flashed it up on the Jebotnic walk up. 332 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:40,680 Speaker 1: I had no idea that we were even in the 333 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:44,640 Speaker 1: running for setting a single season record with LT. And 334 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: we scored a touchdown and I'm sitting on the sidelines, like, congratulations, 335 00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: LT just tied Sean Alexander with twenty eight touchdowns on 336 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: this season. I look up there and I was like, Holy, 337 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 1: We're about to do something cool. And then you could 338 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:02,719 Speaker 1: just feel yeah, right, like what an idiot, but you 339 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:06,919 Speaker 1: can just feel this energy takeover Qualcom. It was like 340 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:09,960 Speaker 1: and obviously everybody had read the paper in that week 341 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,159 Speaker 1: and knew what we were kind of in Lyne for 342 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: and we were smashing Denver. It was I think forty 343 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:20,400 Speaker 1: one to twenty at the time, and Sean Merriman gets 344 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: a sack fumble recovers the thing and there we are, 345 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 1: and I remember it's like we just saw it flash 346 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:28,880 Speaker 1: up on the board that we could we tied the record, 347 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:33,359 Speaker 1: and my eyes started well enough and I thought, holy crap, 348 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: we're about to bring and it just felt inevitable. It's 349 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 1: like the part of that fourteen to two year winds 350 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:41,960 Speaker 1: felt inevitable. It just felt like when we got the 351 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:45,320 Speaker 1: ball back down deep in there in the red zone, 352 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:48,160 Speaker 1: that we were going to score. There was no gut 353 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:50,359 Speaker 1: about it. And as Hardwick put it, none of this 354 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 1: happens without one more big play. Courtesy of Sean Merriman. 355 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:56,119 Speaker 1: The Broncos had the ball and we're determined not to 356 00:19:56,119 --> 00:19:58,520 Speaker 1: give it back to the Chargers offense and allow Tomlinson 357 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,680 Speaker 1: to break Alexander's record on their watch. It took too 358 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: offensive plays for that to change. With this one team, 359 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: it's a terre career and make it work. All the 360 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:11,240 Speaker 1: ball is strapped. The ball is strapped, and that's Merriman 361 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 1: with the horse and the recovery, and you know what, 362 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:19,280 Speaker 1: We've got LT with a chance to make the record. 363 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 1: He's going back out there. They know it. I was 364 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:30,919 Speaker 1: thinking this has to be it. I mean, this is 365 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 1: the vine that it has to happen now, because I 366 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:38,640 Speaker 1: was thinking after we came off the field that last 367 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:40,960 Speaker 1: job that the game was over, like we wouldn't get 368 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:45,360 Speaker 1: the ball back, I wouldn't have another opportunity. So when 369 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:49,240 Speaker 1: Sean had to sack fumble and we got the ball 370 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 1: back and somebody, I think it was Lorenzo ran over 371 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:57,199 Speaker 1: to me and looked at me like it's about to happen, 372 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:02,119 Speaker 1: you know. And it never clicked on me until I 373 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 1: got that sack forced fumble. I didn't even I thought 374 00:21:06,280 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 1: the game was going to run out of b over. 375 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:09,119 Speaker 1: I didn't know if they we want to take a 376 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:11,359 Speaker 1: knee like, I had no idea what was going to happen. 377 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 1: And I got up and I remember the sack force 378 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 1: fumble and I started to celebrate, doing the whole Hawaii 379 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:20,280 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl dance because I knew I was wanted to 380 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:23,880 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl that year, and nothing, it didn't really click 381 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 1: to me or didn't come in until I got to 382 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 1: the sideline and I started hearing LT chants and at 383 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 1: that moment it all registered that it's about to happen, 384 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 1: like this is this is going to happen. I didn't 385 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 1: know if it was gonna be that play or this 386 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:41,240 Speaker 1: series or whatever, but it was going to happen that 387 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 1: he was going to break that record. The turnover set 388 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:46,000 Speaker 1: the Chargers up in the red zone with seven yards 389 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:49,600 Speaker 1: standing between them and history. It was a moment Ramirez 390 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: would never forget. Stadium erupts again and then you just 391 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:57,719 Speaker 1: hear it hell T hell T l T and it 392 00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:00,840 Speaker 1: gets louder and louder and louder. Coma was rocking and 393 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:03,440 Speaker 1: the LT chants were deafening, but the huddle had a 394 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:06,639 Speaker 1: quiet focus. Hardwick and McNeil were hell bent on getting 395 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:09,360 Speaker 1: their teammate into the end zone. And I just kind 396 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:10,920 Speaker 1: of ran on the field and we're kind of all 397 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:13,399 Speaker 1: just freaking out a little bit. And I'm tearing out, like, 398 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 1: oh my God, or about to do something that was 399 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:18,359 Speaker 1: like getting emotional about something that like five minutes before, 400 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:22,760 Speaker 1: I had no idea was I was even in the possibilities, 401 00:22:22,800 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: you know, every time they chant LT, I was just 402 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:28,600 Speaker 1: kind of like visualized in the back of my mind, 403 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:33,720 Speaker 1: and they big big Mac, you know what I'm saying. 404 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:35,640 Speaker 1: I'd be like, all right, let's go, we gotta get 405 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 1: out of here, you know what I'm saying. We gotta 406 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:39,439 Speaker 1: score right right now. So like in the back of 407 00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 1: my mind, I was scoring with LT score, I was scoring, 408 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 1: so like you felt the energy into place, and it 409 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:47,720 Speaker 1: was no better place to be able to do it. 410 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:49,880 Speaker 1: You know, we wanted to break the record at home. 411 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 1: We wanted like to do it for our fans and 412 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:55,679 Speaker 1: the Crown because you know, we loved our city that 413 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:58,680 Speaker 1: much and I think we had the best team that year. 414 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 1: I think we had one of the best offenses that 415 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 1: ever be put together, and we wanted to go out 416 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,159 Speaker 1: there and show it. But there is no other feeling 417 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 1: than the electricity that was like just running through the 418 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:14,000 Speaker 1: whole team at that point in time, just like pumping 419 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:16,760 Speaker 1: us up for that moment. So it was probably probably 420 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:18,959 Speaker 1: one of the biggest moments of my career, if not 421 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:21,959 Speaker 1: one of the biggest moments of LT's career, you know, 422 00:23:22,280 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 1: besides him going to the Hall of Fame, where it's 423 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:27,760 Speaker 1: like us putting our stamp on the NFL. As far 424 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:30,360 Speaker 1: as like who we were as the charges. As much 425 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:32,720 Speaker 1: as the record meant to LT, it was also clear 426 00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:35,040 Speaker 1: how much it mattered to the offensive line for the 427 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,960 Speaker 1: guards on either side of Hardwick, Mike Golf and Chris Steelman. 428 00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:40,400 Speaker 1: This was a pretty special moment for them as well. 429 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:42,160 Speaker 1: He came in and he didn't say, hey, I want 430 00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:44,120 Speaker 1: this record. He goes, this record is about all of us, 431 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:47,720 Speaker 1: and it was just such a special moment in that 432 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: huddle with the with the crowd going crazy behind us, 433 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 1: and he said, let's go get this and it just 434 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:59,240 Speaker 1: made Okay, let's go and and that's what made it special. 435 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 1: So we get back out there and Chris Dilman, Chris 436 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:10,080 Speaker 1: Dialman says, let's go get it. Let's do it right now, 437 00:24:10,160 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 1: let's break this record. Sure, sure, Chris, let's go do it. 438 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:17,879 Speaker 1: And that's what that's what I remember thinking, like if 439 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 1: we would have been pissed if he didn't get the 440 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:23,639 Speaker 1: ball like this in those years, Man, it was an 441 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:27,760 Speaker 1: LTS team, you know, it wasn't uh, it was it 442 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 1: was Marty ball at its finest, and it was LT's team. 443 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:33,280 Speaker 1: He was gonna get the ball and we were gonna 444 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 1: get him in the end zone. However, we got him 445 00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 1: in and we're gonna get him in. And I'm telling you, 446 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 1: as a old lineman, we all took a lot of 447 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:43,439 Speaker 1: pride in that and we wanted to we wanted to battle. 448 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:46,560 Speaker 1: We wanted to, we wanted to get him that title. 449 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:50,920 Speaker 1: We're happy we did. And um, you know, as the 450 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 1: play unfolded, I started behind Chris and Lorenzo fell down. 451 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:00,800 Speaker 1: So I saw the Rinzo fall down and so the 452 00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:04,119 Speaker 1: linebackers shine inside and I had to book it to 453 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 1: the corner. And really, I know his bat Loreizzo feels 454 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 1: bad that he fell down, but he still made the 455 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:16,080 Speaker 1: line the linebacker on the outside Paul's for second, which 456 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:19,639 Speaker 1: made ME able to get around that corner and just 457 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,520 Speaker 1: deal with the cornerback that was out there. Um, the 458 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 1: only one out there. And Solarizzo feels bad about it, 459 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:30,080 Speaker 1: but he actually did his job. He made he made 460 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:33,480 Speaker 1: that linebacker Paul's for second where I can get to 461 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:37,200 Speaker 1: the outside and score that touchdown. Well, you've got Neil 462 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:40,560 Speaker 1: blocking for LT one more time. You've got Rivers under 463 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:43,119 Speaker 1: center left hash from the seven yard line of the 464 00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: Denver Broncoons and the hand off to Thomlinson left side, 465 00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:50,119 Speaker 1: and he will gallop into the end zone. Charger fans, 466 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:55,360 Speaker 1: bart witnesses to history, the kids from Rosebud, Texas. You're 467 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 1: done good. You made your mom, your wife, LaCOSA all proud, 468 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:04,520 Speaker 1: more than anything else. Lt On behalf of all the 469 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:07,720 Speaker 1: fans here, but partner, Josh Lord, I want to thank 470 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:10,600 Speaker 1: you for a loaning us to witness your greatness. In 471 00:26:10,640 --> 00:26:13,600 Speaker 1: classic Bartie Ball fashion, the Chargers had their two biggest 472 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:15,960 Speaker 1: runs in the fourth quarter as the game was winding down. 473 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 1: To make it even sweeter, Thomlinson reached the one hundred 474 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:22,160 Speaker 1: yard mark. On that final rush of the game. Boxworth 475 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:24,320 Speaker 1: was the last Broncho to touch Tomlinson as he ran 476 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 1: into the end zone. It's a moment that is stuck 477 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:29,560 Speaker 1: with him to this day. I remember that, Yes, I 478 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:32,199 Speaker 1: remember it. Yeah, of course I remember that play. I 479 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:35,960 Speaker 1: remember sprinting to the styline. I feel like John Lynch 480 00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:39,119 Speaker 1: was in on it somewhere along the line, and I 481 00:26:39,119 --> 00:26:43,400 Speaker 1: remember it was like to the right sideline by from 482 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:46,120 Speaker 1: the defensive perspective, and I was trying to get there 483 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:48,400 Speaker 1: before the pylon. I think that's the play. I've seen 484 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:51,960 Speaker 1: it plenty of times, plenty of highlight packages. Fortunately people 485 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 1: don't recognize me, so no one makes fun of me. 486 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:57,159 Speaker 1: But now you're gonna remind so many people that I 487 00:26:57,200 --> 00:26:59,920 Speaker 1: am the number twenty two that doesn't get there in time. 488 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:02,879 Speaker 1: Foxworth not getting to LT helped create one of the 489 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:06,719 Speaker 1: greatest touchdown celebrations in NFL history. So here's the inside 490 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:09,400 Speaker 1: story on the iconic moment from Hardwick and former San 491 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,240 Speaker 1: Diego Union trivine writer Jim Trotter. So We're in the 492 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:16,439 Speaker 1: huddle and we call fifty power, and I remember LT 493 00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:21,119 Speaker 1: being like, all right, when I store, like when I score, 494 00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:23,680 Speaker 1: everybody come over to me and lift me up, because 495 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:26,760 Speaker 1: this is as much you as it is me. That's 496 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:29,280 Speaker 1: in my head. I don't know if that's true or not. Low, 497 00:27:29,359 --> 00:27:31,520 Speaker 1: I think has a different account. I'm sure LT has 498 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,560 Speaker 1: a different account, But I remember, like, I'm in the 499 00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:37,000 Speaker 1: huddle and I'm not just tearing up at this point. 500 00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 1: I'm like, I'm flowing tears down my cheeks and my 501 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:44,200 Speaker 1: soul thought on this play because I had a pretty 502 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:47,080 Speaker 1: easy block. I had a backblock, and I think the 503 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:50,120 Speaker 1: nose guard had basically quit in the game by that 504 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:52,720 Speaker 1: point because it was so deep in the game and 505 00:27:52,800 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 1: we're smashing them by twenty one points. So I knew 506 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,439 Speaker 1: I had an easy block, and my whole goal was 507 00:27:58,600 --> 00:28:01,240 Speaker 1: don't miss this. Snap up dude. When he broke the record, 508 00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:04,679 Speaker 1: he made a point of going back and getting everyone 509 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:06,600 Speaker 1: because he knew in his mind and I think he's 510 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 1: expressed this that people were going to take pictures of that, 511 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 1: and when those pictures were taken decades later, he wanted 512 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:17,360 Speaker 1: everyone who was responsible for it to be in those pictures. 513 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:20,040 Speaker 1: And that's what LT was about. Man, That's what made 514 00:28:20,119 --> 00:28:22,120 Speaker 1: him so special. That those guys around and he took 515 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 1: care of them, He looked out for them, and he 516 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:27,399 Speaker 1: understood the importance of he could not do what he 517 00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 1: did without those guys. So for him to have the 518 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:33,199 Speaker 1: presence of mind to say in that moment, it's not 519 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:36,480 Speaker 1: about me, it's about us, it speaks to who he is. 520 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:39,640 Speaker 1: The Charger's offensive line gave their running back everything they 521 00:28:39,680 --> 00:28:43,080 Speaker 1: had that season. To them. LT scoring was an extension 522 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:46,240 Speaker 1: of them scoring. So when Tomlinson included them in the celebration, 523 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:50,000 Speaker 1: it meant the world to Dealman, McNeil and God as 524 00:28:50,040 --> 00:28:52,000 Speaker 1: a line. As a group, we took a lot of 525 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 1: pride in that because we worked together. Five minds all 526 00:28:56,920 --> 00:29:00,520 Speaker 1: came together and we battled. We beat beat hell outs 527 00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 1: some people and it was just good to see him 528 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: get the record. And now you know, that's something I 529 00:29:06,960 --> 00:29:09,680 Speaker 1: get to show my kids It's really cool just holding 530 00:29:09,880 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 1: LT up, you know, and like just like just being 531 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:17,120 Speaker 1: that foundation for him and like just helping him celebrate 532 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:19,680 Speaker 1: that moment. You know, we couldn't have lifted them high enough, 533 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 1: you know. We we almost probably need to put a 534 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:24,600 Speaker 1: zip town on or something and lift them up into 535 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:27,080 Speaker 1: the raptors, like you know, like sting or something off 536 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:30,640 Speaker 1: of WWE or anything like, because it was that big 537 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:32,320 Speaker 1: of a moment. Man, you know, he could have just 538 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:35,480 Speaker 1: flew out the stadium after that, because at that point 539 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:37,320 Speaker 1: in time, I don't think there was nothing bigger in 540 00:29:37,360 --> 00:29:40,480 Speaker 1: the city that it's ever happened. And you're almost blacked 541 00:29:40,480 --> 00:29:42,920 Speaker 1: out because you're just you're trying to scream, you're trying 542 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:45,320 Speaker 1: to run, you're trying to left or trying to you're 543 00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 1: trying to do all these things. You're trying not to 544 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:50,640 Speaker 1: mass out of this same time it was that was awesome, 545 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 1: and it was an awesome thing because everyone was there. 546 00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:00,600 Speaker 1: Not one person didn't run over and just like, just 547 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:03,760 Speaker 1: like the team mentality that I talked about, the team 548 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:06,960 Speaker 1: with the Demon, and I think the chance that he 549 00:30:07,080 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 1: got to be elevated by the whole team because it 550 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:12,400 Speaker 1: was it was a team effort, and that's how he 551 00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 1: took the approach. That's how we took the approach. I 552 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:19,040 Speaker 1: think that that was you four would be probably the 553 00:30:19,080 --> 00:30:21,680 Speaker 1: word I would use, and it's something that I will 554 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:25,120 Speaker 1: never forget. And every now and again, I can see 555 00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:27,400 Speaker 1: the picture in the background behind you. That's that's just 556 00:30:27,440 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 1: such a special special memory in your in your head 557 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:34,239 Speaker 1: and just the fans going crazy and just having that 558 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:36,480 Speaker 1: time to when you know, when you again, when you 559 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:39,120 Speaker 1: take a step back and you reflect him. I remember 560 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:40,920 Speaker 1: when he got inducted into the Hall of Fame and 561 00:30:41,120 --> 00:30:45,040 Speaker 1: they showed all all thirty plus touchdowns that he scored, 562 00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:48,400 Speaker 1: and you just take a step back and go, Wow, 563 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:51,560 Speaker 1: what an amazing thing that he was able to do. 564 00:30:51,760 --> 00:30:54,520 Speaker 1: Because he did it all right. I didn't score, I 565 00:30:54,560 --> 00:30:56,600 Speaker 1: didn't score one of those touchdowns, but I could probably 566 00:30:56,640 --> 00:30:59,320 Speaker 1: say that I was probably to help him along the way, 567 00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:02,000 Speaker 1: just like everyone else was. And I think it just 568 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:09,440 Speaker 1: is such a special moment. Hey, Chargers fans, this holiday season, 569 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:11,880 Speaker 1: we're partnering with Lazy Dog to help build homes in 570 00:31:11,880 --> 00:31:15,440 Speaker 1: our communities by supporting Habitat for Humanity. Right now, we're 571 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:18,720 Speaker 1: auctioning it off Awesome Chargers merch and experiences plus a 572 00:31:18,840 --> 00:31:21,760 Speaker 1: one of a kind of autographed playhouse. Start your bid 573 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:25,920 Speaker 1: at b I l Y Backslash Chargers Playhouse. You can 574 00:31:25,960 --> 00:31:28,400 Speaker 1: also help by heading over to your local Lazy Dog 575 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:31,880 Speaker 1: to purchase a gingerbread house of the net proceeds go 576 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:38,600 Speaker 1: to supporting Habitat for Humanity. It was a picture perfect 577 00:31:38,600 --> 00:31:40,800 Speaker 1: moment for ten of the eleven Chargers on the field 578 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:43,600 Speaker 1: for that play, but one specific player would love to 579 00:31:43,680 --> 00:31:46,120 Speaker 1: have that moment back. Just ask the guys who were 580 00:31:46,120 --> 00:31:48,880 Speaker 1: there with him. And I think the funniest part. I 581 00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:51,840 Speaker 1: think the funniest part of him breaking the record might 582 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:55,760 Speaker 1: be loneil slipping fall on the way in. You know 583 00:31:55,800 --> 00:31:59,000 Speaker 1: what I'm saying, because he's such a great blocker where 584 00:31:59,040 --> 00:32:01,840 Speaker 1: he falls, you know, face first in the hole. You 585 00:32:01,880 --> 00:32:05,480 Speaker 1: know what I'm saying, right because lts like score. So now, 586 00:32:05,600 --> 00:32:07,880 Speaker 1: like before you see the picture of us all holding 587 00:32:08,040 --> 00:32:10,400 Speaker 1: hoisting them up, if you go back and watch a 588 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:12,880 Speaker 1: little did it's probably like one of one of the 589 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:15,280 Speaker 1: blocks that he's trying to get back for his whole career, 590 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:19,960 Speaker 1: you know. Oh man, like he hates it, like we 591 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:22,880 Speaker 1: won't never let him live it down because every time 592 00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:25,400 Speaker 1: we talk about that. We look at you know, we 593 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:27,600 Speaker 1: look at him and say, you know, somebody fell down 594 00:32:27,640 --> 00:32:30,400 Speaker 1: on that play, and he just he can't stand it. 595 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:34,680 Speaker 1: So the jokes are always fine, um, you know, but 596 00:32:35,040 --> 00:32:37,720 Speaker 1: he's a good sport about it. Well, he may not 597 00:32:37,800 --> 00:32:39,720 Speaker 1: have been his best on the play that counted most. 598 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:42,840 Speaker 1: Lorenzo Neil was an essential part of comments and success 599 00:32:42,840 --> 00:32:45,560 Speaker 1: in two thousand and six and his charger's career, spending 600 00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:48,560 Speaker 1: five seasons helping create lanes for the running back. He 601 00:32:48,640 --> 00:32:51,479 Speaker 1: introduced LT at his Hall of Fame ceremony For a reason, 602 00:32:51,880 --> 00:32:54,840 Speaker 1: Neil was respected by his fellow offensive lineman and most 603 00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:58,400 Speaker 1: of all, by his running back. Of all the amazing 604 00:32:58,440 --> 00:33:01,320 Speaker 1: accolades in that guy's career and all the thousand yard 605 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:04,840 Speaker 1: rushers that he's blocked for, and I don't know how 606 00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:07,320 Speaker 1: he played as long as he did at that position. 607 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:13,400 Speaker 1: He's just he's such such a great football player. And 608 00:33:13,440 --> 00:33:17,680 Speaker 1: then that one block was It's like wow, whoa that 609 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:20,560 Speaker 1: was the one. But hey, when you've got LT behind you, 610 00:33:20,640 --> 00:33:22,640 Speaker 1: it's all good. He'll make that guy mess and then 611 00:33:22,640 --> 00:33:24,440 Speaker 1: he'll make the next guy miss and we'll be dancing 612 00:33:24,440 --> 00:33:26,880 Speaker 1: to the pilin Yeah, I mean low Neil was like 613 00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:29,640 Speaker 1: a hammer coming through there. We we love running the 614 00:33:29,720 --> 00:33:33,680 Speaker 1: power play, you know, having guys pulling around there, you know, 615 00:33:33,800 --> 00:33:36,680 Speaker 1: Demman pulling around there, or Low Neil on the io 616 00:33:36,840 --> 00:33:40,480 Speaker 1: players coming in and and really blocking for LT. Low 617 00:33:40,600 --> 00:33:43,160 Speaker 1: he was almost like having an extra lineman in the 618 00:33:43,200 --> 00:33:46,000 Speaker 1: backfield the way he blocked so well. And he loved 619 00:33:46,040 --> 00:33:48,880 Speaker 1: his job. Like Low Neil, he wasn't that guy who 620 00:33:48,920 --> 00:33:51,479 Speaker 1: was looking for to touch the ball a line you know, 621 00:33:51,560 --> 00:33:54,640 Speaker 1: like he knew his job was to bust one open 622 00:33:54,680 --> 00:33:56,880 Speaker 1: for LT. Stick his nose in there and on the 623 00:33:56,960 --> 00:33:59,000 Speaker 1: linebacker and get a hat on the hat so that 624 00:33:59,120 --> 00:34:01,720 Speaker 1: he can get to the level. And by the time 625 00:34:01,760 --> 00:34:04,440 Speaker 1: that happened, we're usually looking at him from behind running 626 00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:08,840 Speaker 1: down the fields. Hey, it's not always perfect, but Lorenzo 627 00:34:08,960 --> 00:34:10,839 Speaker 1: was a reason for a lot of those touchdowns. So 628 00:34:10,960 --> 00:34:12,800 Speaker 1: I let him fall on the biggest one, I guess, 629 00:34:12,840 --> 00:34:15,279 Speaker 1: but he was definitely part of all the other ones. 630 00:34:15,800 --> 00:34:19,640 Speaker 1: Lolo was I forgot to talk about Lolo. Lolo boy 631 00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:23,239 Speaker 1: was here. Gym he uh. He was another one like 632 00:34:23,320 --> 00:34:25,160 Speaker 1: kind of like a golf you know, because he's kind 633 00:34:25,200 --> 00:34:27,239 Speaker 1: of an old liner. You know, I'm back in those 634 00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:30,480 Speaker 1: days fullbacks were like your sixth seventh old lineing. Like 635 00:34:30,640 --> 00:34:33,799 Speaker 1: most fullbacks, you know, they're the jokesters. You know, they're 636 00:34:33,800 --> 00:34:37,920 Speaker 1: the crazy guys. Maybe because they're ramming, you know, they're hidden, 637 00:34:38,360 --> 00:34:41,840 Speaker 1: hidden linebackers all day. Maybe that's why they're they're a 638 00:34:41,840 --> 00:34:45,040 Speaker 1: little bit crazy. Um, you know. But he was. He 639 00:34:45,120 --> 00:34:47,920 Speaker 1: was just the life of the party. But I remember 640 00:34:48,200 --> 00:34:51,600 Speaker 1: when we first, uh, the news came down that we 641 00:34:51,600 --> 00:34:54,719 Speaker 1: were gonna sign it, and I got the phone call 642 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:57,920 Speaker 1: from Lorenzo and he was just like, man, I'm so 643 00:34:58,000 --> 00:35:00,960 Speaker 1: excited to become to San Diego, to be you know, 644 00:35:01,080 --> 00:35:06,839 Speaker 1: to be a fullback. And I remember thinking, man, this 645 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:10,080 Speaker 1: is for the change my career. Everything that this man 646 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:12,719 Speaker 1: has done for all the other running backs that I've 647 00:35:12,760 --> 00:35:16,120 Speaker 1: seen the last few years. I said, this is going 648 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:19,080 Speaker 1: to change my career. And I remember coming down to 649 00:35:19,120 --> 00:35:23,520 Speaker 1: the press conference when Lorenz O'Neill was introduced, and that's 650 00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:26,880 Speaker 1: when our relationship really first started, is you know, I 651 00:35:26,920 --> 00:35:29,240 Speaker 1: was there at the press conference, gave him a big hug, 652 00:35:29,480 --> 00:35:32,600 Speaker 1: We had a great talk about, you know, what our 653 00:35:32,640 --> 00:35:36,640 Speaker 1: expectations were, and it was like from from that moment 654 00:35:36,719 --> 00:35:40,240 Speaker 1: we was best to friends. Tomlinson was right, Lorenz O'Neil 655 00:35:40,320 --> 00:35:43,320 Speaker 1: did change his career. He became Eltie's bodyguard in the 656 00:35:43,360 --> 00:35:46,000 Speaker 1: two thousand and six season. Wouldn't be possible without him. 657 00:35:46,320 --> 00:35:48,360 Speaker 1: But while that O six season put Eltie in the 658 00:35:48,400 --> 00:35:52,200 Speaker 1: record books and eventually catapulted him to football immortality, it 659 00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:54,799 Speaker 1: gave a national audience a chance to witness, with those 660 00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:57,640 Speaker 1: in San Diego had seen for years, just how special 661 00:35:57,800 --> 00:36:02,000 Speaker 1: number twenty one was. Here's Katie Hardwick and linebacker Donnie 662 00:36:02,040 --> 00:36:05,279 Speaker 1: Edwards discussing the indelible mark LT left on them and 663 00:36:05,360 --> 00:36:08,160 Speaker 1: the Chargers organization. You know, it wasn't this you know, 664 00:36:08,560 --> 00:36:10,480 Speaker 1: cocky voice for this guy that was doing it. He 665 00:36:10,520 --> 00:36:12,400 Speaker 1: was an easy guy to root for, right and you 666 00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:14,680 Speaker 1: think of how he you know, the Emmett Smith's and 667 00:36:14,760 --> 00:36:18,240 Speaker 1: Walter Payton's and Barry Sanders and all these great running 668 00:36:18,239 --> 00:36:21,000 Speaker 1: backs and offenses in the history. And just to be 669 00:36:21,040 --> 00:36:23,040 Speaker 1: able to know and say that you're a part of 670 00:36:23,080 --> 00:36:26,160 Speaker 1: that is certainly a special memory that you know, I've 671 00:36:26,360 --> 00:36:28,680 Speaker 1: carried with me going forward. And and it's been fun 672 00:36:28,680 --> 00:36:31,239 Speaker 1: to watch LT kind of transition and you know his 673 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:33,799 Speaker 1: role as uh, you know in broadcasting and those sort 674 00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:36,360 Speaker 1: of things, and certainly happy for him and everything that 675 00:36:36,400 --> 00:36:38,719 Speaker 1: he's been been able to accomplish, not only in that 676 00:36:38,760 --> 00:36:41,040 Speaker 1: season and that record breaking season, but you know beyond 677 00:36:41,040 --> 00:36:45,360 Speaker 1: that as well. Alzheimer, he's he's Jim Brown of the Chargers. 678 00:36:45,440 --> 00:36:50,640 Speaker 1: He's with every great running back or great player who's 679 00:36:51,040 --> 00:36:54,040 Speaker 1: ever come across in the National Football League. He's right 680 00:36:54,080 --> 00:36:57,320 Speaker 1: there with all of them. His name in a Chargers 681 00:36:57,400 --> 00:37:03,400 Speaker 1: jersey is it's everything. I mean, he is a Charger. 682 00:37:03,440 --> 00:37:08,000 Speaker 1: He is right there with I mean, I don't know, 683 00:37:08,040 --> 00:37:11,920 Speaker 1: it's hard to separate twenty one from the Chargers uniform. 684 00:37:11,960 --> 00:37:17,920 Speaker 1: I in my opinion, he's he is mister Charger. I mean, 685 00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:20,960 Speaker 1: think about a twenty one is synonymous with like I 686 00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:25,440 Speaker 1: mean with Dan Fouts and Bandy I mean Junior say Out. 687 00:37:25,480 --> 00:37:27,880 Speaker 1: I mean, think about these names, Kelly Winslow, like you 688 00:37:27,920 --> 00:37:30,839 Speaker 1: think about these names. These are the foundation of the organization. 689 00:37:31,040 --> 00:37:35,000 Speaker 1: And you know, and LT certainly has his spot there. 690 00:37:35,080 --> 00:37:39,200 Speaker 1: I mean, tremendous career, Hall of Fame, just a great Charger. 691 00:37:39,400 --> 00:37:42,040 Speaker 1: But along with the players, members of the media like 692 00:37:42,120 --> 00:37:45,480 Speaker 1: Farmer and Trotter went his firsthand the impact that Tomlinson 693 00:37:45,560 --> 00:37:48,399 Speaker 1: had on his franchise and the NFL as a whole. 694 00:37:48,800 --> 00:37:52,160 Speaker 1: Somebody who transcends the game. Somebody who is a pop 695 00:37:52,200 --> 00:37:56,399 Speaker 1: culture figure, somebody that my mom would know. Even if 696 00:37:56,440 --> 00:37:59,480 Speaker 1: my mom weren't a football fan, you didn't have to 697 00:37:59,520 --> 00:38:03,799 Speaker 1: be a foot ball faner know who Thomas ros. He 698 00:38:03,960 --> 00:38:07,879 Speaker 1: was a true superstar. He was everything that was right 699 00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:10,439 Speaker 1: about the game, not only on the field, but off 700 00:38:10,840 --> 00:38:12,680 Speaker 1: and to me, those are the people if I were 701 00:38:12,680 --> 00:38:15,520 Speaker 1: to own a franchise that I want to be associated with, 702 00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:18,640 Speaker 1: and then I want my franchise associated with. So I 703 00:38:18,680 --> 00:38:22,600 Speaker 1: think it. I think it was very important that he 704 00:38:22,760 --> 00:38:27,360 Speaker 1: is a part of this organization and will be for 705 00:38:27,520 --> 00:38:31,080 Speaker 1: the foreseeable future. Although Thomlinson's playing days ended after the 706 00:38:31,080 --> 00:38:33,800 Speaker 1: twenty eleven season, he's been back in the fold with 707 00:38:33,840 --> 00:38:37,120 Speaker 1: the Boats, something Chargers owner Dean Spanos is grateful for. 708 00:38:38,200 --> 00:38:41,600 Speaker 1: He's a Charger through and through, and he's as true 709 00:38:41,600 --> 00:38:45,239 Speaker 1: as any Charger's ever been. Obviously, he's proud to have 710 00:38:45,320 --> 00:38:51,399 Speaker 1: been a Charger. I think that, you know, his being 711 00:38:51,440 --> 00:38:54,719 Speaker 1: with us now this is his fifth year, is really incredible. 712 00:38:54,719 --> 00:38:57,360 Speaker 1: It's like you said, he feels like he's never left. 713 00:38:58,080 --> 00:39:01,520 Speaker 1: He's out there representing the team on many different levels, 714 00:39:01,560 --> 00:39:04,480 Speaker 1: from the business level, even on the football side. He's 715 00:39:04,520 --> 00:39:06,839 Speaker 1: come in. I know Tom Talesco and John Spannels has 716 00:39:06,840 --> 00:39:09,560 Speaker 1: spent time with them. They ask his opinion on some 717 00:39:09,640 --> 00:39:13,920 Speaker 1: players and different things, so to speak. But I think 718 00:39:13,920 --> 00:39:18,200 Speaker 1: he just loves being part of the organization himself. We 719 00:39:18,320 --> 00:39:20,520 Speaker 1: never want him to leave. As long as he wants 720 00:39:20,520 --> 00:39:23,480 Speaker 1: to be here, we want him here, and it just 721 00:39:23,640 --> 00:39:25,839 Speaker 1: feels great to see him on game date. He does 722 00:39:25,840 --> 00:39:27,919 Speaker 1: a lot of things behind the scenes during the week 723 00:39:28,440 --> 00:39:31,360 Speaker 1: with sponsorship groups and all that sort of thing, and 724 00:39:31,719 --> 00:39:35,160 Speaker 1: it's greatly appreciated. And as you said earlier, I think 725 00:39:35,200 --> 00:39:37,880 Speaker 1: people even though he's been gone a few years. I 726 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:40,879 Speaker 1: just say a few years, but people will never forget him, 727 00:39:41,120 --> 00:39:43,439 Speaker 1: and they get excited just to see him walk into 728 00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:45,600 Speaker 1: the room and listen to him speak. I even do 729 00:39:45,800 --> 00:39:48,040 Speaker 1: when I go to these dinners and we have these 730 00:39:48,320 --> 00:39:51,799 Speaker 1: small meetings and stuff. It's just amazing that people are 731 00:39:51,840 --> 00:39:54,560 Speaker 1: in awe of them still after all these years. When 732 00:39:54,600 --> 00:39:57,160 Speaker 1: you think of the Mount Rushmore of Chargers, LT is 733 00:39:57,239 --> 00:39:59,920 Speaker 1: certainly etched into that mountain, but his impact on the 734 00:40:00,080 --> 00:40:04,080 Speaker 1: National Football League is cemented just as strong. Seventh all 735 00:40:04,120 --> 00:40:07,600 Speaker 1: time in rush yards, third all time in scores, and 736 00:40:07,600 --> 00:40:10,120 Speaker 1: for the last fifteen years, the owner of the most 737 00:40:10,160 --> 00:40:14,280 Speaker 1: touchdowns in a single season in NFL history. Ladinian Tomlinson 738 00:40:14,360 --> 00:40:17,080 Speaker 1: has a career filled with amazing moments that any Texas 739 00:40:17,160 --> 00:40:19,360 Speaker 1: kid would grow up dreaming to have, but it was 740 00:40:19,360 --> 00:40:22,200 Speaker 1: that record breaking play on December tenth, two thousand and 741 00:40:22,239 --> 00:40:26,040 Speaker 1: six that would truly live forever in history. I remember 742 00:40:26,120 --> 00:40:33,879 Speaker 1: Marty Schottenheimer always saying, there are championship moments throughout your 743 00:40:33,920 --> 00:40:37,160 Speaker 1: career that you're going to enjoy, you know, because Marty 744 00:40:37,280 --> 00:40:39,400 Speaker 1: used to say, no, you know, I didn't win the 745 00:40:39,440 --> 00:40:45,600 Speaker 1: Super Bowl, but I had championship moments. So that day, 746 00:40:46,600 --> 00:40:49,920 Speaker 1: no question about it, Chris, that was a championship moment. 747 00:40:50,160 --> 00:40:53,840 Speaker 1: Like if I envisioned the atmosphere of winning the AFC 748 00:40:54,080 --> 00:41:00,239 Speaker 1: Championship game at home going to the super Bowl, that's 749 00:41:00,280 --> 00:41:03,480 Speaker 1: what that That's what that atmosphere would be about. That's 750 00:41:03,520 --> 00:41:06,600 Speaker 1: what it would be like. And that day with the 751 00:41:06,680 --> 00:41:12,200 Speaker 1: crowd channing and everybody happy, jumping up and down, without question, 752 00:41:12,360 --> 00:41:14,280 Speaker 1: that was That was a championship moment.