Historically, the Chargers have not been big on retiring numbers. First Charger to have his number retired was future Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Ron Mix in 1969. Mix had previously declared his retirement from professional football.
The San Diego Chargers announced on Wednesday that former running back LaDainian Tomlinson’s number, 21, will be retired in November.
There will be a ceremony on November 22 during halftime of the Chargers game against the Chiefs. Tomlinson will be honored by the San Diego Chargers by being inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.
Nine of Tomlinson’s eleven seasons in the NFL were spent with the Chargers. He was picked by the Chargers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL draft and went on to set the franchise record for rushing yards.
Tomlinson was one of only two players who weren’t a quarterback to earn NFL MVP in the last nine seasons when he did so in 2006. (the other was Adrian Peterson in 2012). Tomlinson was selected to the NFL’s 2000 All-Decade Team and was a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
Tomlinson becomes San Diego’s fourth player to have his number retired. Junior Seau (No. 14), Dan Fouts (19), and Lance Alworth (19) welcome him to their ranks (No. 55).
Did the Chargers retire 21?
The answer is Yes. When LaDainian Tomlinson retired from the Chargers on a one-day deal in 2012, Dean Spanos promised that eventually, the team would retire Tomlinson’s number. The Chargers officially retired Tomlinson’s number 21 on November 22, 2015.