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LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson NFL Running Back San Diego Chargers

In 2006, LaDainian Tomlinson rushed his way to a record-breaking season by scoring a league-leading 186 points while setting the all-time NFL record for single season touchdowns (31). He received additional honors by winning the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award and the Associated Press’ Offensive Player of the Year Award.

“God has given me all these blessings. A lot of people may know my face and know that I’m a good player on the football field, but they probably don’t really know me as a person. I owe this to God; it's all about Him,” LaDainian said.

Turns out, LaDainian received some pretty good advice when he was a kid.

“My mom told me a long time ago [that] God would take me to places I ’d never dreamed if I kept Him first and gave Him all the glory. I believe that with all my might. It's still the same way with me. I make sure I always give Him all the glory and praise, because I know that in one second, one game, one play, it could be all over. So I’m just here right now having success, but at the same time, I know it's all because of Him.”

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Known as “LT”, this is one quick and tough running back, but he was vulnerable at age 14. One day in church, he was overwhelmed by the Spirit of God.

“I just started to cry for some reason," he recalls. "I couldn’t stop crying. I felt like a baby all over again. At the same time, I felt like my life had changed. From that point on, I knew that if I had faith in God that He would take me wherever I wanted to go, as long as I praised His name and as long as I gave Him all the glory in whatever I did.”

To LaDainian, part of giving God glory is being a Christian example to his fellow Chargers.

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“The way you are in your life everyday, the things you do, the things you don’t do -- they understand that he has a lot of faith in God. I just want to do things the right way," he says. "Over the years as I went through a lot more things, I’ve gotten closer and closer to God as far as praying a lot more, being into the Word. The thing about it is learning more about God and His purpose for you each and every day just trying to live your life right.”

LaDainian is known as much for his humility as he is for his records, and he keeps perspective by finding his identity in Christ, not football.

“As long as you believe in Him, no matter what happens in your life, understand that it's all for a purpose. Try to understand what God wants you to do in this lifetime," he advises. "Once you find that out, your life will be more clear, and you will understand exactly what you need to do to be successful.”

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