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Tomlinson big man on campus again at TCU

Charean Willliams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Published June 27, 2006 at midnight

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They came with their pee-wee football jerseys, their miniature footballs and their questions, lots and lots of questions for LaDainian Tomlinson: What number were you in high school? What team do you play on? Do you play the Cowboys?

"These kids," Tomlinson said of the kindergarten through third- graders, "they are the fun ones. They don’t know me from Adam. They’ve just heard my name. They don’t know if I play football, or if I’m p resident of the United States."

The Chargers’ Pro Bowl running back is holding Camp LT at TCU for the first time, adding it to his long-running football camps in his hometown of Waco and in San Diego. Thirty or so little ones showed up for the two-hour kids camp Monday, and some 100 are expected today for the two-day camp for ages 8 to 18, co-camp director Richard Hightower said.

Tomlinson remembers saving his money when he was 14 years old to attend an Emmitt Smith camp in Denton . He began his own camp in 2002 in Waco, and that camp, which starts Friday, now draws between 200 and 300.

"We’re looking to grow this one and help kids in the Fort Worth-Dallas community," said co-camp director Derrick Scott, who played at Texas from 1995-98 and now is an assistant strength coach for the Longhorns.

Kids are Tomlinson’s passion outside football. Besides his camps, he is featured in a United Way commercial running through a maternity ward, and he has a "Touching Lives Foundation" that benefits needy kids and promotes academics with LT’s School is Cool Scholarship program.

Tomlinson, 27, also recently unveiled his Nike "Scream LT" training shoe for kids. The $50 shoe is white with blue trim and gold stitching and features his No. 21 on the heel and his initials on the tongue. A replica of Tomlinson’s autograph is on the side, with "Play with Passion" inscribed inside.

Tomlinson and his wife, LaTorsha, hope to have kids of their own one day. A little more than a year ago — on Feb. 22, 2005 — LaTorsha miscarried six months into a pregnancy that was to have produced the couple’s first child, Mckiah Renee.

"She will never, ever be forgotten," Tomlinson said of Mckiah Renee. "It’s a humbling experience. ... We’re just taking our time right now and enjoying each other. When that time comes, it’ll definitely be a blessing."

The Chargers have counted their blessings ever since making Tomlinson the No. 5 overall draft choice in 2001. He has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of his five seasons, including 1,462 in 2005 despite a rib injury late in the season.

The Horned Frogs, of course, are proud to call him their own.

"People identify TCU with a great tailback," said TCU coach Gary Patterson, who had two sons at Camp LT on Monday. "... We’ve had kids come here because they wanted to be the next LT. I think that’s priceless. I can’t do as good a job recruiting as that has for us."

Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer calls Tomlinson the best running back he has ever coached, which is saying something since Schottenheimer is entering his 30th NFL season. Tomlinson is a three-time Pro Bowler with 7,361 career rushing yards, 2,392 career receiving yards and 80 career touchdowns.

Having already established himself as one of the best, Tomlinson has only one goal left in his career.

"My whole goal is just to win a Super Bowl," said Tomlinson, who was nominated for an ESPY on Monday. "I don’t even want to put individual goals on myself anymore. I’m at the point in my career where it’s all about the championship. It’s kind of like, ‘quit talking about the individual stuff and win a Super Bowl."’

That might be easier said than won this season with inexperienced quarterback Philip Rivers taking over for Drew Brees, who signed with the New Orleans Saints in the off-season. Rivers, a first-round pick of the New York Giants in 2004 who was traded to the Chargers on draft day, has played in only four games and attempted just 30 passes in his two-year career.

"I look at Pittsburgh with a quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger," Tomlinson said. "He really didn’t have to do too much. They rely more on their defense and running the football. Ben had his 20 passes a game, which obviously were key. ... Philip will be able to do that same thing."