LaDainian Tomlinson Considered Joining Peyton Manning In Denver Before Retirement

LaDainian Tomlinson retired as a member of the San Diego Chargers this past week, but the future first-ballot Hall of Famer almost took his show to the turf for one more season. Tomlinson told U-T San Diego that he had received offers to continue his career, but ultimately decided to hang his cleats up back where he started his storied career.

If Tomlinson would have continued his career, where could it have been? Well, only one team gained serious consideration from Tomlinson and it would have been a move that left Chargers fans turning in their grave.

Tomlinson considered following another future Hall of Famer in Peyton Manning to a new home with the Denver Broncos.

“The only team I really gave a thought to was the Broncos, because of Peyton,” Tomlinson said. “We talked. . . . It made me pause a little (and think), ‘Was this what I really want to do?’ … I said, ‘They got Peyton, they have a good defense already; they went deep in the playoffs with Tim Tebow, what are they going to do with Peyton?’ I seriously thought about it.”

The move would have left a sour taste in Chargers fans mouth and it could have put a stain on his legacy. Tomlinson knew that was the case and decided to showcase his loyalty to Bolt Nation.

“At the end of the day I was thinking, ‘I can’t do that,’” Tomlinson said. “It’s not as bad as being a Raider — but almost.”

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