LaDainian Tomlinson reveals what free agency is like, how Jets signed him

When the inevitable day came, LaDainian Tomlinson was not <a href="http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-ladainian-tomlinson-jersey-c-1_37.html">LaDainian Tomlinson Authentic Jersey</a> caught off guard.

He knew the Chargers were going to release him following the 2009 season, so when it happened he was preparded for free agency. Recently, the Hall of Fame running back reflected on the process of finding a new team after spending nine years in San Diego.

“He (Dean Spanos) asked me to come in and talk to him, you know, as soon as I could,” Tomlinson told NFL.com. “I think I rushed right down to the complex because I knew what was about to happen.”

Tomlinson would go on the sign with the Jets, but an NFC team made a <a href="http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-keenan-allen-jersey-c-1_32.html">http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-keenan-allen-jersey-c-1_32.html strong push for the veteran halfback.

Tomlinson was quickly courted with meals, limousines, and much more by the Minnesota Vikings, who wanted to pair LT with Adrian Peterson.

The NFC Championship appearence of the prior year combined with the allure of teaming up with Peterson was huge, yet there was a bigger factor for Tomlinson still in the works.

“I remember before I made my decision, talking to Brett Favre, trying to get it out of him,” Tomlinson recalled, refering to the quarterback’s hesitation to play another year. “I remember him saying, ‘Uhh, LT I don’t know. I’m just not sure if I wanna play anymore.'”

So when the Jets came at <a href="http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-max-tuerk-jersey-c-1_41.html">http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-max-tuerk-jersey-c-1_41.html Tomlinson with a convincing family-oriented approach, his wife nearly made the decision for him.

“So my wife was pregnant at the time and what the Jets did, they had this baby basket like with onesies and Jets’ footballs and all <a href="http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-sean-lissemore-jersey-c-1_47.html">http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-sean-lissemore-jersey-c-1_47.html kinds of stuff for a baby,” Tomlinson said. “And my wife seen that, it was over. We were going to New York.”

The rest was easy for Tomlinson, who wanted nothing more than to be on the field again.

“After free agency, you’re exhausted,” Tomlinson said. “You just <a href="http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-gates-jersey-c-1_3.html">http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-gates-jersey-c-1_3.html want to sign with a team and start to play football again.”