CANTON, Ohio_The anticipation leading up to LaDainian Tomlinson's Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech was focused on his relationship with San Diego and his role with the team that now plays in Los Angeles.
One of the greatest running backs to every play in the NFL and a really fine man made it about so much more.
Chants of "LT, LT, LT" that shook Qualcomm Stadium for nine seasons accompanied LaDainian Tomlinson to the stage here Saturday night.
Roughly 20 minutes later, the former Chargers running back had twice brought the crowd in front of him and every Hall of Famer seated behind him to their feet and made everyone who heard him talk think about what he said.
A healthy contingent of Chargers fans and former teammates were on hand, as Tomlinson kissed his fingers and touched them to the bronze bust that sat beside him as he began a speech that concluded with a rousing call for racial unity.
"If this was my last day on Earth and this was my final speech, this is the message I will leave with you," Tomlinson said as he wound down his address. "The story of a man I never met _ my great-great- great-grandfather. One hundred seventy years ago he was brought here on a ship in chains."
Tomlinson explained his last name was given to his great-great-great-grandfather by the man who owned him.
"My name began with the man who owned my great-great-great-grandfather," Tomlinson said. "Now it's proudly carried by me and my children and extended family."
He then launched into a plea.
"I'm of mixed race, and I represent America," he said. "My story is America's story. ... Football is a microcosm of America _ all races, religions and creeds living, competing side by side."
That brought the first standing ovation and more "LT" chants.
"Let's not choose to be against one another," he said. "Let's choose to be for one another. My great-great-great-grandfather had no choice. We have one. I pray we dedicate ourselves to be the best team we can be, representing the highest ideals of mankind.
"I'm being inducted into the Hall of Fame because my athletic ability created an opportunity. ... When we open the door for others to compete, we fulfill the promise of one nation under God with liberty and justice for all."
That brought the crowd to its feet again.
It was perhaps the hallmark moment of a night filled with a number of emotional ones, including former Broncos running back Terrell Davis recounting his days growing up in Southeast San Diego.
Tomlinson never lost his composure, as he had acknowledged he might.
He had been a teary mess the previous night as he slipped on his gold jacket for the first time as a Hall of Famer.
He knew that on Saturday he would be looking out at an audience that included the mom who worked two jobs and the wife he met in college, sitting in the front row next to the Spanos family.
Also out there were Drew Brees and Antonio Gates and so many others with whom he played, especially the nine years in San Diego. Two of his running backs coaches, Ollie Wilson and Clarence Shelmon, attended as well. Two of his head coaches, Marty Schottenehimer and Norv Turner, were there. Turner sat in the section for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Tomlinson acknowledged Schottenheimer as the "best coach I ever had" and had a teary Schotteneheimer stand along with his wife, Pat.
Most notably, a number of Tomlinson's former Chargers offensive linemen made the trip, spending time with each other and LT over the previous day or two before attending Saturday's ceremony.
"It's an honor to us," former left tackle Marcus McNeill said. "It's an accomplishment to have a running back you blocked for do well enough to get into the Hall of Fame."
Mike Goff, who started at right guard all 80 games from 2004-09, got a few days off from his job as an assistant coach at USC.
"I'm not going into the Hall of Fame," he said. "But a part of me is going in with LT because of the small part I did to help him get here."
Tomlinson was the Chargers' fifth overall pick in 2001 and went about gaining more than 1,100 yards in each of his first eight seasons, a streak at the start of a career that is unprecedented and remains unmatched. His streak of nine seasons with 10 rushing touchdowns also stands alone.
He led the NFL in rushing in in 2006 and '07. In '06, he was named the league's MVP after setting an NFL record that still stands with 28 rushing touchdowns.
On Saturday, Tomlinson thanked Chargers chairman Dean Spanos, saying, "Your family gave me my first opportunity in the NFL and now as your special assistant my most recent. My relationship (with the Spanos family) is one of most important in my life."
Tomlinson never mentioned Los Angeles.
Early in his speech he said, "To the TCU fans, San Diego fans, thank you for your love and support."
Tom Benson Stadium was largely a mix of Cowboys and Dolphins fans, but Chargers fans numbered at least in the hundreds, many with "21" on their backs. Many were from states close to Ohio. But a number made it from Southern California.
A group of about 20 fans representing the fan club "Bolt Pride" gathered on the grass outside the stadium before the ceremony, all clad in blue and gold, many in replica Tomlinson jerseys and pretty much split on their current allegiance to the Chargers.
"We all understand this is about LT and what he did as a San Diego Charger," said Donnie Fox, who said he will not attend, watch or listen to Chargers games this season. "We're not even talking about (the team moving). We're just here to celebrate what LT did."
He once again thrilled everyone.
