The preview of the story behind my speech. Catch the full thing on @nflnetwork Sunday 7:30pmET. pic.twitter.com/piFfjTNN24
— LaDainian Tomlinson (@LT_21) August 19, 2017
NFL players are publicly navigating a complicated and difficult spot in 2017. After the mass protests following Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric, some fans have generalized those participating as “ungrateful” and “crybabies” for taking a knee during the national anthem in an attempt to bring awareness to police brutality. The boos are even raining down on teams that practice free speech when the players lock their arms and show unity on the sidelines. It’s a situation that’s at the forefront of all things football, going as deep as the high school game.
And yet, as the protests continue on, fans burn jerseys, and Donald Trump continues to tweet, former and current NFL players continue to give back in the community, proving that the protests and statements aren’t just empty words. 2017 Hall of Fame inductee LaDainian Tomlinson is a shining beacon of the philanthropic heart many pro athletes have in their chests. Not only is Tomlinson giving his time and insight to younger players, but he’s reminding America that the country is a team, which, like a football team, may be extremely different individually, but as a whole, should be working towards the same goal together.
This week, Tomlinson, on behalf of the National Peanut Board, gave a pep talk to Dallas’ iconic high school football teams — the DeSoto Eagles and Cedar Hill Longhorns. This is being called the first-ever Peanut Bowl, held in front of 12,000 screaming fans and truly a once in a lifetime moment for some of the players for whom this may be the pinnacle of their competitive lives.
Tomlinson didn’t know if the high school players would make a show of unity or kneel during the anthem — most high school players are in the locker room during the national anthem — but he believes it comes down to a team decision. When asked if he would be taking a knee now, if he were playing int 2017, he said he would let the team decide what he would do, and move forward as a unit. Tomlinson continually expresses his belief in faith and strength in numbers. He believes in the power of community and having faith in the person next to you.
When Uproxx Sports spoke to Tomlinson, you could hear the joy in his voice as he spoke about giving a pep talk to these high school teams. The man lives and breathes football, but he also embraces the role of a leader and elder statesman in the sport. He wants to give back, to help elevate like so many before him. It doesn’t hurt that the National Peanut Board hosted the game, because Tomlinson is especially partial to honey roasted peanuts as a snack.
Tomlinson’s selfless nature and his impactful Hall of Fame induction speech, in which he described visiting the soil that his great great great grandfather — a slave — tilled, is a constant reminder that NFL players aren’t simply robots stepping out onto the field. They are human beings, with life experiences that they are constantly drawing from which form a tapestry of motivations as they focus on competing at the highest level with millions watching.
https://twitter.com/LT_21/status/913966038861205504
Tomlinson continues to enrich the world around him. From visiting Stuart House, a program of the Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica – UCLA Medical Center, to simply surprising some elite high school players at Texas’ Peanut Bowl, he is a shining example of how so many NFL players help their communities.
https://twitter.com/LT_21/status/890313683796152322
The direct help and time Tomlinson gives are what the lives he’s impacted will absolutely remember, however, it’s still important to remind yourself that Tomlinson is one of the best to ever tote the rock. He’s had his college number at Texas Christian University retired, he’s part of the Chargers Hall of Fame, the NFL Hall of Fame and, just as important to some, one of the greatest fantasy football players ever.
“Yeah. It’s an honor, it really is. I still hear a lot about fantasy football when I go around this country speaking. You know, that’s one of the first things I hear is, ‘L.T., man, I had you on my fantasy team, and you won it for me,'” he said with smirk. Tomlinson seems like a guy who just wants to do right by someone, make them happy, proud, even if he’s just met them.
“I always tell people: ‘You know, I never won a Super Bowl, but I don’t think anybody won more fantasy championships than me.”
Ultimately, few have a greater resumé when it comes to running the ball or helping out his fellow man than Tomlinson. Throw out the record book, throw out the gold jacket and L.T. would likely be just as pleased as being the man who motivated a high school football team before the biggest game of their lives.
