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PigSkin Pays Tribute to the Great One.

We all knew this was coming. But this is still a tough thing to see. As someone who lives in San Diego, I got to see, not only his great performances, but the wonderful contribution LaDainian Tomlinson made to the local community and how much they loved him back.

From a fantasy perspective, PigSkin owes LaDainian Tomlinson a huge debt of gratitude. LaDainian Tomlinson was THE cornerstone of PigSkin Power for 5 years of his 9-year career. Not many know or remember this, but during the first four years of the Sunday Pizza League, PigSkin was almost synonymous with a 6-8 season, 2002 being the only exception. LT changed all that and gave the fans hope.

With the reintroduction of the Franchise Player, PigSkin selected LaDainian Tomlinson 4th overall in the 2003 SPL Draft behind Ricky Williams, Marshall Faulk, and Clinton Portis. His influence was felt immediately as PigSkin started the season 4-1. PigSkin would have two other 4-1 starts with LT and post only one losing season (2004). During the "Tomlinson Years", PigSkin was the second highest scoring team (1303.8/yr) and collected the second most wins (43). And the final 3 years with LT in his prime, PigSkin had 3 straight 1300+ point seasons in a row, and low scoring season of 1226 pts -- that is more points at the time than all but two SPL team's average points! When all was said and done, with LaDainian Tomlinson PigSkin won back-to-back scoring titles (2005, 2006), two divisional championships (2003, 2006), made two championship appearances (2003, 2006), won one championship (2006), and one Coaching Title (2007).

The year 2007 was the end of an era. In 2008, PigSkin released LT as a result of the Franchise Player Rule Change. LT was promptly selected No.1 overall in the 2008 Draft by the Barbarians. The Barbarians went on to tie an SPL record of 12 wins in a season only to lose to the Red Birds in the first round of the playoffs, but not until combining for the 3rd most total points ever in a playoff game.

LaDainian Tomlinson saw the finals only once -- 2006 SPL championship appearance. Though we have been without him for the last 2 years, he is PigSkin through and through. Today PigSkin pays tribute to their greatest running back.

Today PigSkin retires No.21.