LaDainian Tomlinson HOF RB growing up on slave plantation & his biggest disappointment | The Pivot
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Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson sat with Ryan, Channing and Fred to talk about his football career and personal life, transcending from his childhood to family values to his unique path to the NFL as well as shares some of his truths and misconceptions along the way.
There is a certain weight professional athletes carry when they make it to the pinnacle of their sport. As is the case with certain players, though, the pressures can lead to emotions they’ve never felt before. For LaDainian Tomlinson, growing up with just his mom in a place that held so much negative history was the burden he bore.
Tomlinson was a fifth overall pick, played in five Pro Bowls and still holds the NFL record for rushing and scrimmage yards in a season from his 2006 MVP campaign with the Chargers. He was on top of the world for a stretch of seasons and after finishing college as a Heisman finalist, had dominated at each level of the sport. LT gets into the truth behind why he kept his helmet on during the AFC Championship game that he was sidelined for and shares one of his most disappointing moments in life.
Growing up without a dad in the picture very much caught up to him, and left a hole in his life and a desire to get to know his dad more and have the opportunity to spend time with him, but when his dad passed in 2007, LaDainian felt like the chance was missed to get to know him and understand the man he really was. Through his faith and acceptance, he began a journey to learn about his ancestry, and soon found out that his relative’s home of Tomlinson Hill was a slave plantation his ancestors had worked on.
His career that he has described as “close but no cigar” had many iconic moments away from the game, and LT touches on his iconic Hall of Fame acceptance speech as well as his “A Football Life” feature.
With all of his jukes, hurdles and power moves throughout his career, LaDainian Tomlinson’s biggest pivots came away from the game. His championship moments will define his legacy, and his calls for unity represent both history and the future he is hoping to help build.
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on KZhead, with audio available on all streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Amazon.
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First of all how has The Pivot not hit 1 million subs yet. This is mind boggling. Also let’s appreciate how good the crew has become at interviewing people. Keep it up fellas.
Marketing, they don’t push ppl to subscribe. I really wish they did.
RIGHT
Cause Ryan’s divisive lol people get upset about strong opinions. If it was just comedy and entertainment like nightcap it would but that’s not what the shows about.
@@LongJohn9411 you sound Sassy, sir!
Probably cuz Channing be saying weird shit to grown men
LT Facemask & Visor Combo Was 🔥
Yea, dafuq it was! Clean, too. Couldn't see his eyes, and when he hit defenders with that cut, it was over.
Legendary
Thee Best 🔥✊🏾
That man was clean
San Diego Charger fan here. LT was the heart and soul of the city while he was here. Hero to many of us youngsters at the time. Bring our boys home.
I’m from San Diego but grew up a Green Bay Packers fan. But I have so much respect for LT. you’re right, he was the only reason the chargers were ever relevant. It’s a shame Brees didn’t pan out in SD. Who knows what kind of combo they would have been
Boy, that boy nice! One of my favorite players.
Lt my favorite player of all the coming from a falcons fan wish we didn’t take Vick tbh
34:00
Philly Riv was our heart and soul in SD. LT hated an just wanted to run with Marty instead of win with Norv
LT, Mike Vick, Djack. Literally the reasons I love football so much as a boy that never played it. Definition of electric right here
Vick was on some real video game shit out there. Most exciting ever.
Mike Vick n d jack was so lit🔥🔥
Can’t Forget Ray Lewis & Deion Sanders I Played Defense Lol 😂
LT my favorite NFL player EVER. He was special in his prime man. Love this interview
Facts idk how those chargers teams didn’t win a super bowl
Ditto
Facts! He was different bruh lol.
At Age 6 my first NFL jersey was a powder blue LT jersey. LT is the reason I played football and even the RB position. He really set the standard for the position. He’s #1 in my book always. Bolt Tf Up ⚡️⚡️⚡️
I still have my powder blue LT jersey from his rookie season.
This was long overdue. He was literally a perfect guest for this show 😂
LT is the reason I played football. He meant so much to all the kids growing up in San Diego. Awesome episode!
He’s the reason I had a visor 😂
The way Channing facial expression when he LT mentions Cam Cameron name lol😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂
He gets mad every time!! I was like oh nooo here it comes! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I sure love watching this program. As a 70 year old white man I learn so much about a black persons perspective about so many different challenges not just the guest on the show but their family and ancestors. My only wish is if someone on the program is taking Gods name in vain, they would blip it out.
When you come to a man’s home, receive what is offered and leave what’s not for you but don’t make requests, especially when you’re seeing something new. God ain’t finished with none of us yet. Grace
Great post but let’s just leave religion out of this. My god
My comment was not meant to be religious but relationship. You are right God is not finished with us yet. My request was not made out of being judgmental but a request of reverence for a Holy God. I’m sure all of our stories are different but when I hear a curse word connected to God it breaks my heart. Yes, if i am offended, i could stop watching but I love the success stories and the impact they will have on people’s lives. It was not my intention to be religious or judgmental but to say can we not have a conversation without taking God’s name in vain.
As a 35 year man born n raised in Texas LT wasn’t lying about playing sideline kill that’s a Texas thang frfr… brought back memories of our childhood
I’m 33. Born & raised in NC. Growing up we call it “sideline pops” & mannn it definitely brings back memories. If you was soft you better not run up the side of the street 🤣
In illinois we called it Sideline wreck! Made you tough.
Just subscribed. I enjoyed these guys when they played and I really enjoy The Pivot. They all 3 are very articulate and intelligent. In my opinion they represent well. Thank you
I’m from Ga we called it “sideline bust” idk why they didn’t know what he was talking about
Yessir!!
Born and raised in the Crenshaw District and we called it “Sideline Pop” growing up. That ain’t just the country RC!
Big facts lol.sidelined pop fasho
On me! Cars, Curb, Bushes, you gettin cracked into all that haha
Grew up in Watts is called sideline pop fasho
Right!!!! Thank you I couldn't think of the name when he described it
Atlanta we called it sideline kill too 💯
LT is so humble bro
LT seems to be a very well-rounded and kind human mane. Great interview from The Pivot as always 🔥
AYE Alicia! Yall gotta start cutting in a highlight during some of these stories. Would have loved to see the clip while they were talking about the stiff arm 💪🏾
LT my fav player ever grew up a charger fan watching him at Qualcomm. Man I didn’t know just how blessed I was seeing him play live and how good we had it as Charger fans. Best back of 21st century and one of the greatest to ever do it
🙏🏿
He was the reason why I started watching football. I been to 8 different stadiums and LT is the only player I got to witness whenever he touched the ball, the whole stadium went crazy. I’ve seen Brady, manning, and Rogers play live and never seen the reaction like how LT got. When he was a charger, chargers were chargers fan. When he left, every home game felt like an away game. I’m with you, I’m so glad and blessed that I got to witness him playing live in SD. He literally electrified Qualcomm stadium during his prime.
LT is one of the best RBs ever, but doesn’t he look like he can be Bubba Dub’s daddy😂😂😂
💀💀💀💀 frfr tho
Facts
😂😂
😂😂😂
He's not,with all his $$$$ he can't SHOW OR PROVE he has 1 ancestor from no damn africa 😂!!!!! 😤
This combo Fred, Cam, and Ryan are a perfect combo. They play off each so well falling into their lanes. Ryan is the host that keeps the interview moving and brings in the deeply researched questions. Freddy fines the emotional core of the interviewee, and Cam keeps the vibes light which brings out great stories that are unique.
*Chan or Channing
I love how the podcast started and finished. Podcast of the year! 🎉🎉
I've seen countless episodes of "The Pivot" and I believe this was the best one yet. It's amazing to see the other side of NFL players. Channing you are Americas number one hater in a good way. Freedy T has a quiet but effective way of get his point across. RC I'm putting up there with some of the top broadcasters in the business. LT was amazing on the field and off. LT was well spoken and engaging. He can teach the younger players a lot about how to carry themselves.
Growing up LT was the best back to me. Agility speed durability power blocking catching man he did it all. Plus that 31 touchdown season.
💯!!
Yes. I was always mesmerised with his running style.
LT and Marshall Faulk are the most dynamic duo threats RBs I’ve ever witness. It was a joy to watch their careers from college to the NFL. Salute🫡
Check out Marcus Allen and Roger Craig. Some of the earlier backs like that.
Check out forte
Mcgahee and Portis
It's good to see LT get in-depth exposure. I always felt that as great as LaDainian was, he was undervalued by mainstream media...
Great interview had the honor going to church with LT and his wife in San Diego one of the kindest humble players ever met 😊
Two of my favorite running backs growing up FT and LT!
Dude was unreal! I'm a Steelers fan but loved me some LT
Being from killeen seeing LT growing up, coming outta waco only an hour from me man this interview had me hooked. Huge inspiration to me.
I’m from Waco so I know exactly what you mean
South Waco University Middle
Sideline kill is definitely a real game down here in Houston. I remember getting hit through somebody’s fence one time
😂😂😂😂 nbs i den put some body in a car grill before 😂😂😂
we call it sideline bust. soft kids stayed in the street. We also played 4 downs hard. Had to score in 4 downs...lol.
DAWG!!!! Thank you pivot this is such a huge interview bruh!!! LT was freaking great
One of the best RBs to do it and as a Niners Fan living in San Diego when the Chargers played everyone was hyped... Glad he got into the HoF...
Man, that LT was like a superhero on TV I swear to it. This brings back memories. Thank you pivot. Stay blessed!
One of the best episodes yet! Great conversation and story telling. I could listen to LT for hours.
My favorite player growing up. Dude was just so smooth and strong.
And always a good guy. Not some diva
One of the best shows up to this point for The Pivot. What a mic drop at the end.
I always learn and walk away from The Pivot with a deeper understanding of life. LT is special. The part about him and his father changed my perspective on fathers and sons. Especially when they are raised apart and the emotional distance
This was a great interview! I love seeing fellow brothers smiling and enjoying themselves. Inspiring.
We called it sideline bust. We played it here in GA. Tag in the street, tackle by the grass. Then throw up tackle. We did all that. These kids too soft nowadays. RC it's a real thing dude. Rites of passage!
It was throw ‘em up buss em up . Georgia boys!!
Here in Philly it was called rumble fumble
@@abdulbynum8671 yeah Philly was about the only state up north we respected as far as football fr. Football in the South just different from Texas to Georgia.
No kizzy. Sideline bust. Don't let the grass be high we going to the Sideline every run 😂
@@LawlessVictory888for sure I wanted my nephew to go to Georgia to play ball I told him it’s different down there and Texas
RC, I'm from Compton, California......and WE played "Sideline Kill" in the streets as well. ✊🏾
Hub city baby 💯
FACTS!
@@jaaymoney3832 you know whut it is Family. ✊🏾
💪🏾
This was one of the best interview ive seen, informative, honest and well prepared on all levels
Lt was my favorite player growing up. Since becoming Christian he’s inspired me even more
Oh god 😂
Favorite interview so far! Always love when you guys bring legendary backs on the show 💯
I love listening to Fred and other RBs❤️❤️❤️
Incredible episode man. I see why LT won the Walter Payton award. Seems like hell of a guy. Class act. Love to the Pivot man you guys are doing what's necessary!
3:40 classy and respectful. Blessed.
This man (LT) is the reason I became and still am to this day a Chargers fan. By far one of the best to ever do it. Forever an idol
Two of the greatest backs in NFL History in the same room choppin it up!! Much respect LT and FreddyT
This guy is n My top 5 RB's ever
Who's your top 5?
Slavery is only one generation away for some of us. To those that may have the response of “Oh, it was so long ago,” when us Blacks speak so passionately about our rights and this continuous fight against the system. We’ve made progress, but oppression and “The Agenda” still exists today. Thanks for sharing, LT. Otherwise, amazing interview by one of the goats and a reasons why I started watching football.
@dawgatheart do you think the civil rights movement achieved it's goal particularly with how wide the racial wealth gap is at the moment?
Man! This is infectious!! LT is one of my all time favorite players... and the interaction between him and CC, Fred and RC is invaluable...
one of the best ones so far LT was one of my favorites growing up made me want to play hb what a strong testimony 🔥🔥
“Fred you just ain’t had no friends” chnanning be having me weak asf
😂😂😂
Excellent interview gentleman you allowed us to see inside the lines of life as a child and growth because of your circumstances Grace, Grace, Grace, 🙏🏾❤️…. All you have to do is BELIEVE…..
LT is the 🐐 in my eyes. I wore his cleats from 07-09. Wanted to play RB because of him.
Growing up in Baltimore me and a couple of my friends did those weird things as well. Dodging cracks and spots on the ground, spinning off of light poles, throw up tackle etc.. even with the basketball ball spinning off of light poles and dribble in the four squares, crates on the light pole..great conversation as always guys!! Much love and respect!! GOD bless!!
Dope interview. Watched the entire episode from SE San Diego 💯
Lincoln High!
El Cajon in here too
Paradise Hills in the building
YES!! Here we go again ANOTHER ONE ❤ great job guys Keep up the good job loving the vibe it's on point🎯🎯🎯
I attended the Maryland vs Virginia game in 1999, Lamont Jordan went for 300 yards. Thomas Jones went for over 100. I went home and turned on the TCU game and watched LT go for 400. Followed him all that season, got that rookie Chargers jersey moment he got dfrafted. Wore 21 throughout high school because of him. LT such a legend.
Wow......this was powerful!!! I really, really enjoyed this interview. LT is a wonderful person!!! His Hall of Fame speech was exceptional. Great Job guys!!! Excellent!!!
Wow!! Awesome interview!!👏🏾👊🏾 Truly love the Pivot!!💕👏🏾
LT right Lol. In Memphis we use to call it sideline pop! Shit was wild
Played tht here in Duvaaaal!!! Jax Fl
Shout out to RC!! His talent as an interviewer/ journalist is amazing. He asks the right questions at the perfect time and doesn’t disrespect his guest. ESPN would’ve been idiots to lose him
42:00 I can't lie I'm still not feeling his response on his family origin story... I don't know how proud I could be in carrying on that history... But this was a great interview... ❤
That honors his ancestors & how what they endured allowed him to be here. It's better than denying your roots like some do. (Only thing I don't like is that shared history talk, the Tomlinson family only gave his West African ancestors their name)
It’s better than not accepting your roots. Because if you don’t accept it you’ll go through your whole life not knowing your true identity
I'm on the fence about it also. Like we didn't choose to be slaves. It's not our history nor our ancestors - the slave aspect. Ok his gave his land but respectfully nah
@@lgsg2825It Also Isn’t Your Life & LT Is A Successful & Wise Man. Thats All You Should Care About. You’re Not His Family Or Have Say In How He Feels About It. Y’all Weird Man I Swear He Ain’t Ask For It He Was Born Into It.
Great episode! So much transparency & vulnerability from LT....Great questions fellas....
I didn’t think I could respect LT more than I already did but hearing him talk about the mental aspect of the game reading defenses and knowing the blocking assignments etc, I have even more respect 🫡 ⚡️⚡️⚡️
I have watched every episode of the pivot since its inception. THIS one is VERY special to me. LT is great story teller. And the 3 of you vibe’in on his accomplishments and how impacted each of you is great to see. Freddy T - I love to see you light up when you have ya partners in position in the show. Well done fellas! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🫶🏽
Incredible conversation fellas!! The growth in all 3 of you is amazing. Keep it up
This was such a great episode ❤ these are the ones iTruly miss
This Was A PHENOMENAL EPISODE!!!
That last moment when LT says: “….that’s the pivot” and smiles. Made me love LT more
Another one!! GREAT show as usual..You all keep setting new standards for great shows. Keep going! I laugh, I learn, I reflect, I always take something meaningful from EVERY show.
Incredible episode and amazing guest!!
LT!!!! My first favorite player ever🥹🥹🥹 I’m so happy.
You fitttyyy doe
LT: "That's the pivot!" My man laid out the real life gospel. Amazing story brother, thank you for sharing!
I Only use to watch NBA until I saw LT have that run in 06. Just unstoppable. He turned me into a football fan.
Every Tuesday and Friday have different meaning because of you guys show. Not another show on tv that I’m locked in on besides this one. Keep leading kings! 💪🏾✊🏾❤️
Man Fred T I love listening to you talk bout schemes! Class A, Top Class wit it!
Facts .
I love these guys. The level of down to earth that they bring. Though I have never met the success level that any of these guys have achieved, I can really relate to some of the issues that they have face while growing up. Throw up tackle is what we called it; So when RC said it I was like yeah he is from Louisiana too. I thank all of you for being who you are. It validates who I am. God Bless.
@21:50 Mann I can’t even lie!! Him & DSproles was giving us (Colts) crazy work. Freddie T & MJD too
Great conversation as always 💯💯
Another great one. Thanks guys..
Man that 06 year was our year man.. that shit hurts to this day.. fuckin Marlon man!!
We played that side line kill in Houston back in the day 😂
“Fred, you ain’t have no friends” … don’t do that to the future HOFer 😂
Lol
I'm from Ft. Worth TX and we played sildeline kill when I was a kid waaay back in the 70s. I mention that to people that didn't grow up in TX and they would have no idea what I was talking about.
Clicked right on this Friday show. This was my LT from childhood. I remember I got the Bolts 21 at the HOF and thought I was a chargers fan, in Philly
That’s the pivot🔥🔥🔥🔥
L.T.! One of the greatest! The pivot stays on point!
LT, is truly a TX legend; sideline-kill is a staple of playing street football.
One of the best players and Man I’ve ever played with!
We played sideline pop in Los Angeles. Same concept as LT childhood game!
LT is one of my favorite RB!
As usual Awesome interview ! Best Podcast out here . Shout out to LT
Brothers keep doing what yall are doing! I love this show
I definitely grew up playing slide pop in Birmingham Alabama
Dude is San Diego Royalty
LT is the greatest running back of all time. Period.
LT was unstoppable on Madden01-08. Truly my favorite player and favorite running back of all time. 🐐
I can see him as a college coach... COACH LT...
Thank you brotha for fighting tooth and nail to trace your family origin.Most Africa Americans are embarrassed to go back in time and trace where they came from.A person who doesn't know about their roots hasno direction in life!
Truth. You’re even starting to see many claim that they don’t have any African roots and are now claiming to be Native American.
The best original intro song in the game hands down. Great content as well.