Tomlinson named NFL MVP
1/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 4, 2007
NEW YORK - Former TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson added another notch to his belt on Thursday as he easily won The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award by tallying 44 of the possible 50 votes.
Tomlinson, who starred at TCU from 1997-2000, led the San Diego Chargers to a 14-2 mark and the AFC West Championship. On the season, Tomlinson broke Shaun Alexander's league record for touchdowns with 31 en route rushing for a league-best 1,815 yards on 348 carries. Tomlinson also had 56 catches for 508 yards and was 2-of-3 passing with two touchdowns.
The MVP honor is the first of such by a former TCU athlete. While at TCU, Tomlinson won the Doak Walker Award in 2000 as the nation's top running back and is the Horned Frogs' all-time leading rusher with 5,263 yards. In total, the Waco, Texas, native owns 14 of TCU's 17 rushing records. He also holds the NCAA single-game rushing record with 406 yards on 43 carries against UTEP in 1999.
The closest vote getter to Tomlinson was New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who received four votes. Peyton Manning received the remaining two votes.
The Chargers won their final 10 games of the regular season and have a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
