Chargers star LaDainian Tomlinson wasn't happy this year -- and not for the reason you might think.
Coming off a disappointing season, both personally and professionaly, Tomlinson called in to the Scott and BR Show on XX 1090 on Tuesday to talk. Tomlinson answered cryptically when asked about the plans he and his wife, who's expecting in July, have for their Poway home and whether they'll be putting in a nursery.
"That's a good question.... Man, you know, I don't know," Tomlinson said, laughing. "That's a good question. I guess we'll see."
LT said he is certain he'll be playing football next year, though, but reiterated that he would not renegotiate his contract with the Bolts in order to stay with the team.
"It's never been about the money, and it never will be," he said. "I love playing the game of football ... it's all about being happy ... and so, obviously, that's the most important thing to me, and also, being happy chasing that Super Bowl ring."
Happy was not something LT was this past season, he said.
"It's just -- a lot of changes, and, you know, I don't want to get into it ... just a lot of changes," Tomlinson said. "You know -- I wasn't happy."
The running back's unhappiness with the changes, he said, "surfaced because of a loss [to the Jets], but, you know, they were always there. Things were always there ... it was just happening over time."
The radio hosts asked Tomlinson if, as a team leader, he was disappointed in some of his teammates' performances against the Jets:
"You say a leader and all this king of stuff, but, you know, there's a big part of this year, you know, that for whatever reason, I didn't feel connected, as far as the team, you know -- the kind of unity, togetherness, family. I didn't feel that at times in the season. There were times where I did, but I'm saying, so, that was a problem in the locker room, I felt like. That's just my opinion."
Tomlinson went on to say that the game -- or at least the way the game is talked about -- has changed, and not for the better.
"I just think it's the time and, you know, where we are at the point where these guys come into the league. It's not about the same values no more. It's not about the football. You know, the thing is that you talk, you know, faith, family, football. For them, it's not about that no more ... It's 'me,' and that's the thing that's so disappointing to me, is because I can't deal with that no more. I mean, if that's going to be allowed ... I just can't deal with that type of stuff."
Tomlinson said he still has a 1,200-1,400 yard season inside him.
"I want a championship," Tomlinson said. "That's what I'm after, and I'm going to chase it."
As for this championship game being played this weekend, L.T. said his heart is with the Saints and Drew Brees.
