LaDainian Tomlinson (11/14)

eleven one. He was a member of the Green of White and he was a key figure in that two thousand ten team, the last Jets team who made the playoffs as they advanced to a SC championship game. An emotional game for Ladinian was that divisional playoff round contest against the New England Patriots. They said, can be done, They said, we have no chance. Hey, let me tell yourself. Didn't make a B b oh any day. What a

fantastic career. Uh, And what a powerful speech he gave as he got inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame last summer. Green's I watched all twenty six minutes, as did you, I'm pretty sure, and it is very inspiring and just something that you touched on LT after the game in two thousand and ten against the New England Patriots in Foxborough. Well, I remember before the game him walking out there to midfield for the coin tolls holding. Dennis bur Jersey has an honorary captain because correct me

if I'm wrong. But didn't Dennis deliver a speech the night before the team? He certainly did, um, you know. And unfortunately we've lost Dennis uh he was killed in an automobile accident. But that was certainly an emotional moment for the Jets. But looking forward here to tall can Ola Danny and you're talking about a five time Pro bowler, a first team All Pro three times, the NFL's Most Valuable Player in two thousand and six, the Walter Peyton

Man of the Year in two thousand and six. And also when you think about Ladanian Thomason Green's you think about a guy who got into the end zone. Is twenty eight rushing touchdowns in two thousand and six, We're an NFL record, as were his thirty one touchdowns from scrimmage in that same season, and at eighteen consecutive games with a touchdown. He was a dynamic football player. Unbelievably explosive and he could catch it out of the backfield. He ran hard, and when he came to the National

Football League out of TCU, he set the league. I fired the first round of the two thousand one draft of San Diego Charger. So like Ladanian Tomlinson running back to TCU, Holt was instant offense, and I thought the Jets got a lot out of him. As he finished up his career here in New York, I remember LT his staple halfback passed to Antonio Gates. That was That

was like my first memory of LT. And obviously he then took the NFL by storm, thousand, six eighty four yards career rushing, fifth in the NFL all time, right behind Curtis Martin. Alrighty, A, I think it's I think it's about that time. You're right, Greens. We've talked enough about Ladani and let's talk to him, all right, Greens, Let's bring in the A four mentioned Ladanyan Thomlinson. Ladany And how are you this morning out in California? Down wonderful?

Just of course he's pretty early here. The first part of the day is just getting started. So U dorn Well but you are joining us here on the Jets Official Podcast. And Uh, the first thing that I wanted to talk about, Ladinian was the last time I saw you in person was last winter, and that was before you actually got officially inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. What was the Hall of Fame induction weekend like as you officially took your place among the mortals of our game. Well,

it was experienced like no other, of course. Um, you know, it's it's one of those things that you kind of envisioned one day happening, but you really don't know what it's gonna feel like once you, you know, get the candle, Ohio and see, you know, the Hall of Fame for what it really is a place to celebrate excellence, um,

and the greatest football players in the world. Until just going through that hole, um, you know, four or five days that I was there, I mean, I tried to take it in as much as I could, but it was just so overwhelming. It really was, because we're talking about all the history of pro football and the greatest players to every play and then finding myself, you know,

amongst them. Um. And then one of the Polist teams was one of the first meanings we had having Jim Brown come over to me and sit right next to me, and what he said. He said, you know, once you get here, we're all equal. And I was thinking to myself, unbelievable. This is Jim Brownson next to me and he just told me that we're all equal at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And my first thought was, well, I

appreciate that, Mr Brown, but we're not all equal. Just football Player of All Time six minute Hall of Fame speech and in it you trace back your family's roots, going act to your great great great grandfather George Thomlinson, who came to this country on a slave ship some a hundred and seventy years ago from West Africa. At what point did you decide, Hey, I am going to

share this with everybody my official story. I probably really didn't come to say I'm absolutely doing it until about maybe a month a month before the Hall of Fame. So after my football life, you know, I had a lot of people around this country coming up to me, you know, saying how much day in joy my football life, and it meant so much for them to see that story, and you know it, it helped them and all the

great responses from that football. So you know, I started to think, man, you know, I need to talk more about this when it truly means to me, you know. And so I had thought of abut it for a long time, you know, uh, and going back and forth in you know, I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna talk about it, and then said, no, I don't think I

should talk about it. But I woke up one morning I just had an overwhear and feeling that I had to, like, I had to talk about it and say and tell people what it actually meant to me, because I felt like this was something that would help so many people, and so many people in this country have the same story I do and have struggled with that story. And so it came out, and and I was really proud of the way, um, you know, it came out, and

also the response that I got from it. Well, listen, I encourage everybody in JAT nation who is listening, everybody who subscribes to the podcast, and go back and listen to your speech, because that was inspirational and and this moment with this country struggling with a lot of issues, I thought that was courageous of you to challenge everybody to try to make this the best team by working together and living together representing the highest ideals of mankind.

Those are your words. I thought. I thought that was a fantastic speech, and you know, it was a time and I still think people should It should resonate with people more than ever Nowadayia, Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, we need to understand in today's generation. You know, this is a very important time in our country, UM, and we need to come together as a country and

be strong. You know, we gotta look around and see what's happening in the world and the other nations, and you know, um, the different conflicts that our country has happened with other countries. UM. And so that's why it's more important now to to have you know, this team America, so that we do represent the greatest ideas of mankind. And that's the most important thing for all about charity.

I know you touched on it a little bit. You said that you've had this overwhelming feeling that you had to tell your story and just a second what he said. I watched the entirety of your speech, and I was captivated from the minute it started to the minute and it ended. But when you woke up, you know, can you try to describe the emotions of what it was that you felt like you need to tell the story as opposed to just maybe I should maybe I shouldn't.

And then all of a sudden, I know you talked about it, but what was the emotion like, Well, I'll tell you what I'm You know, I'm a spiritual person. Um, you know, I was raised you know, it's just you know, to be a spiritual person. I believe in God. You know, I'm a Christian man, and so, um. You know I lost my father when I was you know, after my sixth year in the NFL. Uncle that all season, right after the season, lost my father, seventy one years old

at the time. But you know I never met my grandfather. You know, my dad's dad never met him. You know, my dad never met his grandfather. And so but I heard stories about my grandfather and my great grandfather, and so when I woke up that morning, the spirit that I had was from them saying, you know, speak speak

for us. You know, this is what we want. I can't describe the feeling that you have inside when it's overwhelming and something that's is weighing down on you to do something, you know, to speak for them, uh, to speak for my father. That's that's the feeling I had. That's when I knew I had to do it, um. And that's kind of what I went through. I mean,

that was the overwhelming I'll tell you this. After I got done with the speech, For one, I don't know how I held it together turn that speech without shooting the yeah yeah. But I'll tell you this, Eric, when I walked off that stage and I got behind the stage, I cried for fifteen minutes. I cried for fifteen minutes. I could not I could not contain myself. You know. Lorenz O'Neil was there to you know, to to help, you know, and and hugged me and and Antonio Gates

those guys. But I just it was like the spirit of my dad and my grandfather and my great grandfather and my great great they were all there with me at that time. Well listen, Uh, it was an awesome celebration of your career. And the great thing now, Buddy, is anybody's going to can't know how they go in there.

For generations to come, they'll be able to see you in those football highlights, but also the words that you put out there and talked about your family and the unity that we needed this country, and I thought that was really powerful. And speaking of powerful, you were a passionate player, tremendous career with the Chargers. I don't want to talk to much about the Chargers, but you're a couple of years a round here with the Jazz, did some really good things. How much do you enjoy playing

in New York during that time? I enjoyed it tremendously. I tell people all the time. You know, I don't think I could have went to a better place my last two years. Um, you know, to go to a totally different coast, a totally different you know, kind of brand of football that if you will, on the East Coast and with what those fans, you know, what they mean to to the Jets, not only the Jets, but the East Coast period. The way the fans are on

the East Coast, they're very passionate. They're allowed, you know, and they're into it. They love it. Uh. They really represent, you know, the passion of America. Where we talked about football is America's passion. Where I see that on the East Coast, you know, from those fans. So that was you know, that was incredible and they accepted me. And even now I go back and it's the same. You know, I fans around you know town when I was there, when I was there on um I got there last

Wednesday before the game. Obviously did the game on Thursday, but I wrote the subway on Wednesday evening and and you know, people started asking me for photos and you know, signing autographs and they were just like, man, we enjoyed your time with the Jets, you know, thank you for coming. And I'm like, no, thank you for accepting me. And really your cheers inspired me. And that's that's the way I felt when I first came. I felt to love but also I enjoyed the brand of football that we

played the Jets. I mean, we really had a good team. We you know, we got along, we challenged each other, and it was just a great situation. And I'll tell you what, that's has something about you. You didn't have anybody, You don't have a driver come pick you up or even uber. Yeah, you know, when you're moving around the city times it's hard to just have a job. You might as well, just, um, you know, do what the people are doing. You're about the subway and everybody must

have had their phones out. You know, it probably did a couple of thousand photos during a three stop move our city's transportation. We talked about it many times, but I gotta bring it up because Jets fans will be delighted to reminisce about this. The divisional playoff win against New England. After you guys and went Indianapolis and beat Petty Manning in his house a final week, you go to New England, beat Tom Brady, Bill Belijack and company.

I'll never forget you walking in the tunnel with the tears in your eyes. Just how much did that mean to you? Uh? It meant a lot um too. You know. I felt like my career at that point had come

full circle. Um, you know, one of the biggest games of my life with the charges, the championship game, not being able to play, you know, from a from a spraying mcl um and and just feeling helpless at that moment, you know, um, that I couldn't play two now here at the end of my career, have another opportunity to to help my team move on in one of the

biggest games of my career. To be able to do that, uh, you know, it just felt like I, um, you know, I just I don't even I can't even explain the feeling, you know, the emotions that you go through because it is a as a as a player, and we we really do, um, you know, hurt with the losses. You know, we we really do. When when we win, it's great,

but you're always thinking about the next one. And so football is not just physically challenging, it's mentally challenging because you've got to be able to overcome losses, tough losses, and pick yourself up and think about next week when in fact you're deal kind of thinking about last week. And so to be able to get through that moment where I felt so low, not being able to help my achieve to ben being you know, at one of

the highest moments of my life. But when we beat the Patriots when I was with the Jets, I mean, that's what to me, football is all about. And and quite honestly, that's what life is all about, right because you're gonna feel down sometimes, you're gonna feel you know, like things are not going right, but you gotta pick yourself up and find that that next challenge to be able to overcome it. Yeah, listen, you rushed for yards that first season with the Jets in two thousand ten,

and I remember it. The stats might not point it out, but you could have went four thousand, but instead you and Rex decided, hey, listen, it's gonna be better off

to get you ready for the playoffs. And that was the right move to ever think about that SEC championship game in Pittsburgh because speaking of full circle, Ladinian, you were gonna you are destined to go back to Texas and playing a super Bowl for the first time, you know, Yeah, it did seem like that, and you know it, um, you know, it's funny because when you're going through you you really believe that it's supposed to happen, you know, and I guess it's it's really kind of crushing when

it doesn't happen, because you you know, you questioned, like, man, this was supposed to happen, Like what the heck? But I'll tell you it was. It was a great game that you know, against Pittsburgh there and I just think about the start we had, you know, the start really kind of heard us. We we didn't get off to a good start in Pittsburgh. Jumped out on us. But then we came rowing back, we did, and we falled and just this came up a little short. I'll say,

we ran out of time. You know, that's what we didn't get it. You're right about that. Listen. You're in NFL analysts for the last couple of years and we watch you out there in southern California. But about this Jets team that was left for dead before the start of the season, and what Todd Bulls has got working for them right now because they've already we'll see what

the Ruttors have done in the year. They've already exceeded a lot of expectations externally, but internally, Ladinian, they're saying, we haven't done anything yet in Todd Bowls, that we have another gear in us. Yeah, and I think this is just kind of the coaching of Todd Bowls and and how good he really is as a coach, you know, And and you know, you look at Todd's demeanor, it's

always the same, you know, It's always about business. It's always about the next challenge, the next step, not getting too high, not getting too low. And if you look at all the great coaches in the past and even in in in today's game, most of them they have that quality. You know, they're they're leader of men, but they never allow themselves to get too higher, too low. So in essence, you know, the locker room, your players there,

they all reflection of the coach. And so that's what I've seen in this team, a team that's gonna keep balloting. You know, they're they're not gonna worry about what they don't have and and other things that are going on. They just focused on the task and that's why they're winning. You know, that's why they're surprising some people and winning games that most people probably don't think they should win.

It is because of the coaching, but also give credit to those players who really believe in what they have right now, what they what they are building. So you're here last week for Jetts Bills Thursday night football, and you digest the game very differently than the average fan that I do. And so from your perspective, what are some of the things that you like about this Jets team. Well, I think the strength of the team is the defensive line.

Um you have guys. More Wilkinson is obviously, you know, the premier player in the National Football League at defency and position. You know, Uh, they move them all around the line, and then you got Leonard Williams there. Those two guys together, I mean that it's difficult for any offensive line to deal with them. But then you couple that with um, their ability to be around the football and calls turnovers and and just keep grinding. Um, that's

what I like about them. They're always gonna be in the game because of that defense. But at the same time, Josh McCown has played some terrific football now and you're starting to get the run game going, and to me, the offense is so much better when they can have the run game going and they have that balance. Um, they really can be difficult to stop. Those receivers boys have really done a great job. Emerson encouraged those guys have been impressive. Uh. And so it's just it's a

team that's gonna continue to battle. They're gonna surprise a lot of people. How special relationship do you have with bilal pol You just mentioned the running game, and I'm not a pairing anybody to you. I would never do that. But I'm just gonna talk about explosion and vision and the way he presses the whole and has an opportunity or has the patience and then the vision to bounce things and to cut Um. You knew below early on in his career and he still to this day looks

up to you. How special is your relationship with him? And how happy are you with the way he's developed over the years. Yeah, with our relationship. He started his rookie year when he came in. We built the relationship then, you know, because the Land was a kid that you know, wanted to learn. You know, he wanted to know everything that he that he had to know, um about playing the National Football League and how to sustain playing in the National Football League and so um. You know, I

gave him as much advice as I could. I told him everything that that he wanted to know, um and so. But the thing that he had was to work at you know, you can see him as a young he would work on it. He would staff to practice, he watched film, he would take notes, you know, and so digesting all of all of that, you know, even seeing high practice and some of the other guys on the team and the way. I guess I went a by my business. I'm sure it was. It was a great

learning experience for him. And now you see it all starting to come, you know, come to a head and come to fruition his talent what he can do. Because for one, he's an excellent football player, but he's smart and so that's why he's able to to do so many things on the football too. He's able to handle bigs pick ups, he's able to run rout out the back field, he's able to run the ball inside out. Um. You know, he has a physical ability, but he's a smart player. And so I'm just so proud of it.

I've seen him progress over the years and just been so prowle that, Um, he's done the job that he has done. Um, and you know, quite honestly, you know, he just keeps on to me, he keeps getting better. That run the other night was incredible when broke both tackles and many people miss and almost got to the end zone and it was it was just it was

just so nice to see it, you know. Yeah, And I think he's an underrated downhill runner because he doesn't fool around while she'll press that hole and if it's not there, then whole bounce. But he gets downhill in a hurry. What do you think about the committee? John Morton's got going in the way he's implementing all those backs because we'd be remiss if we didn't match in Matt Forte and Eli McGuire is a rookie in here. So John Morton has different backs to use at his

backing call. Yeah, and that Forte is a continent pro. I mean, you love to have a guylike like him in your locker room. You know who understands, um, what it takes to prepare for game, and and and being available as you know as a running back. Um. And then you know you gotta you gotta have you know, unselfish guys in the backfield that are willing to say, yeah, I understand that. You know, I can't get every carry and I can't be in there every play. UM, So

I'm okay with sharing time. That's important because it helps the locker room. But it also you know, it helps that that backfield, It helps that that running back room. UM, that everybody feels like, you know what I can contribute and it's not just about one one guy. Why have people slept on account. You know, I think a lot of Jets fans, to be honest with you, data and

then you know what this guy was gonna be. You see on these fifteen years in the NFL, he's played for ton of teams, but he's coming here and he's played at such a high level. Yeah, I think it's just that, it's just that, you know, the account has been uh for the most part. You know, he's been a journeyman, but he hasn't you know, have been a guy that, um you know, that has been in one

place for a long time as the starter. And so you know, a lot of people really didn't get a chance to to watch McCown and really don't know the type of player he is because he has moved around quite a dead. But anybody who knows football knows that he's a really sock quarterback and can make all the throws. Um, you know, he's he's a leader, and he really will give you a chance every single game to win. Does having a guy like that for such a young team,

especially on offense. I mean, you mentioned Robbie Anderson just using his as an using him as an example, is having someone like Josh almost jump start the development for

someone like Robbie. Yeah. Absolutely, Um, it helps for a young receiver to how it's veteran quarterback that that understands the game and can tell the young receiver how to you know, the little nuances of of learning rouse and how to get open and where they expect the ball and where you know zone coverage, where the ship you know,

certain things like that. It benefits that you know a young receiver to have a vetteran quarterback, And I think that's exactly I believe why you seeing Robby Anderson have the success that he's having is because having a guy like josh Ta can share those little nuances of quarterback to why receiver relationships That helps a young guy. Do

you like the culture that's being built here? You praised the Todd Bowls before about his coaching this year, and obviously you've liked a lot of things this team has done here. Do you think it's been imperative for them as they move forward what you're seeing as far as the chemistry and building a positive environment. Oh? Absolutely, I think you know, you have to take an account of the job that the coach is doing with the talent

that he has. I mean you, you know, you think about it, will wait till will wait till the end of the year. But we'll see how many guys on that team are all pros or make the Pro Bowl. And to me, that's the way you can always gauge.

You know, if if you know a coach is doing a good job, meaning if he doesn't have all these great players, Pro Bowl guys and all progods, and he's still able to win, then I should tell you something because you know, I I know some teams that you know, we see it every year, and we see it every year they have ten eleven Pro Bowler, Pro Bowlers, you know, guys six seven on one team. That's easy to win

with those guys. It's easy to win when when when you have um tremendous players and and you know, guys that are just better you know sometimes and so you know, I think Todd has done a terrific job. But just just the culture that he's he's building there, The chemis, like you said, the chemistry that he has now with that team, and they're only gonna get better, you know,

They're gonna add pieces to this team. And and you know, I think what you're saying now they're just scratching the surfers of what they can be to three years from now. That's the great Ladinian Tomlinson, who got everything out of himself during his professional career and now rightfully so he is forever and can't know how with the NFL's all time great. So Ladanian, we're watching you on NFL Network, We're following you on Twitter, and we look forward to

seeing me again real soon. Hey, thanks guys, Always a pleasure. That was Ladanian Tomlinson, a man that holds a number of NFL records. As e A said before, a great guy not only on the field, but off the field as well. My favorite part about talking to Ladanion was the fact that when he can't when he comes back here, he rides the subway. I think that's awesome. Dan, clear

of the closing doors. Please. You live in the city, you gotta appreciate I grew up in the city, but you have to appreciate a guy it takes public transportation. I'd love to get a camera on him when he is on the NYC subway. Well, if you're if you know your way around around the city, or you know anything about the city, the quickest method of transportation is by far the trade because you don't have to wait for anybody. You don't have to wait for traffic. It's

it's a to B. It's quick, it's easy. It's the same as the bus. You're underground. It's phenomenal. It's the best method. Don't talk about the bus. We're talking about Ladinian Thomas. Yeah, so it was good. That's pretty good. Listen, let me tell you something. Uh, it's always great catching

up with Ladinian. Uh, like he mentioned, Uh, you know, his experience in Canton was extremely, extremely memorable and his speech was so profound, and I think people should go back and take a listen to that, but also YouTube some of his highlights. Oh my god, you get lost. You would get lost watching him. I think that sometimes we live in a moment so much on our phones and looking at what happened last second or right at this moment, and everything becomes old. Ladiny and Tomlinson was

an amazing football player, an unbelievable talent. A guy could take it to the house at any moment, and he played so hard and he helped the Chargers turn some things around. And he was, like I mentioned before, a key part of this team in two thousand and ten, and just jumping off your highlights point is I have been someone that sat down at my computer YouTube's highlights just because I wanted to see them one more time, and I mean, oh my god, it's like every every

play is better than the next one. And if anyone that's listening is a Madden player and you have the opportunity to go back and play as one of the NFL legends and Madden, you gotta put LT on your team. The other thing I want people to keep in mind and say, hey, what is Ladanian Thomlinson going into the Hall of Fame as well? It's not like baseball where

you gotta pick a hat. Your bus does not have a helmon on, so Ladanian Thomason obviously goes in and it's both a Charger in the New York Jet obviously is greatest days with the Chargers. But again, a phenomenal run here with the Jets. And that's all we have for this week's installment of the Official Jets Podcast. Again we had Ladanian Thomlinson. We're gonna be bringing in some

more people, whether they're former players, some celebrities. Rumor has what we might be getting the Karate Kid on the Official Jets podcast, so make sure to take a look for that. And that's all we have for this week. So for Eric Allen, I'm Ethan Greenberg.