LT & Me, a must read

By Curtis Egan
BoltTalk Staff Writer

LT & Me

LaDainian Tomlison, when he ends his career he will be in my opinion the best Charger to ever take the field. His accomplishments while wearing the lightning bolt are many, while his failures few. We were asked to read the book LT & Me, a book written by the mother of the Chargers Star Running Back, and one that I was surprised to find myself riveted to.

It is not only that LT is a player I respect, or that he is a person that I am glad to let my sons look up to as a role model. It was actually the ability to see into the life of someone who has reached the zenith of football, and has risen to stardom in the NFL.

Typically I am a defensive minded fan, perhaps because I played on the defensive side of the ball in high School. I always found myself loving the big hits and the way that defenses would attack the opposing offense. That and having the chance to speak with Bill Arnsparger didn’t hurt either. But of all the offensive stars to ever make me jump for joy, LT has done it most consistently, and with the most class.

I still remember to this day, standing with my friend Loren Casuto, AKA Anteatercharger, as LT broke the touchdown record. Amazed at how the stadium seemed to shake with the energy of the fans. Watching grown men hug one another and cry tears of joy without shame. LT has brought a lot of joy to the fans of the San Diego Chargers, which is something that can’t be argued. LT has given many of us so many reasons to cheer.

The book LT & Me goes into the life of the Chargers Superstar, highlighting some of the trials and tribulations the family had to face, and gives insight into raising a family. This book is actually something I would call a must read for all Charger fans, be you the ones who believes that LT still has it, or those that feel the AFC Championship Game in which he was injured was his swan song.

The book gives the life and times of the Tomlison family from the point of view of the Matriarch of the clan, Loreane Tomlison, and discusses her challenges is being a single mom trying to raise her children right. Looking back on this, hind sight being what it is, I would have to say she did a fantastic job.

At the end of the book it discusses the feeling that LT has struggled with the last few years, and clearly indicates that this star is starting to look at life beyond the football field. I often have felt that players become stars, then they lose the gleam to fans, and it is another six years after they retire or move on until they become stars again. I am not sure LT will have to wait for the fans of San Diego to realize what they have lost when he does hang up the cleats, I only know he will be missed.

http://www.amazon.com/LT-Me-Champion…owViewpoints=1

LT & Me is a book that any charger fan and parent should read. While the book does not impart the secret ingredients to raising a star NFL running back, it does hold pearls of wisdom on raising kids, dealing with adversity and holding family together.

Many Charger fans will recognize the desire and drive that Loreane Tomlinson relates to her young son, as being shown of the football field for years. Though some fans may be surprised to learn of the setbacks, challenges and trials that the Tomlison family had to face and overcome on LT’s way to the NFL.

It is an easy read, and one that I was surprised to find myself caught up in. Typically I am a war novel, fantasy book guy, but this story hooked me. Not only did it give insight to one of the best Running Backs to ever play the game, but it also gave me ideas on how to approach relationships within my own family.

Thank you Loreane for sharing this story with us all.