NFL Football 2011

NFL 2011 - La Dainian Tomlinson Closes in on More TD Records
La Dainian Tomlinson

New York Jets running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON continues to climb up the charts in the NFL record book.

The five-time All-Pro running back currently ranks second all-time in career rushing touchdowns (144) and third in total TDs (159).

Most Career Rushing Touchdowns

Player Years Rushing TDs
*Active (Source: NFL)
Emmitt Smith1990-2004164
LaDainian Tomlinson2001-2009144*
Marcus Allen1982-1997123
Walter Payton1975-1987110
Jim Brown1957-1965106

 

Most Career Total Touchdowns

Player Years Total TDs
*Active (Source: NFL)
Jerry Rice1985-2004208
Emmitt Smith1990-2004175
LaDainian Tomlinson2001-2010159*
Terrell Owens1996-2010156*
Randy Moss1998-2010154

 

Entering his 11th season, Tomlinson has been a model of consistency on the field and in the community. He has garnered numerous accolades, including earning Associated Press NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2006, as well as off-the-field recognition by being named Walter Payton co-NFL Man of the Year.

"L.T., to me, is probably one of the greatest to ever do it and the greatest to ever keep doing it," says Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker RAY LEWIS. "If you don't respect that, he'll hurt you with it. That by itself, for me, means that you have to prepare a certain way when you get ready to play a guy like this."

Last year, in his first season with the Jets, Tomlinson, who has 13,404 career rushing yards, passed Pro Football Hall of Famers TONY DORSETT (12,739) and ERIC DICKERSON (13,259) to move into sixth place on the NFL's all-time rushing list. Tomlinson currently needs 698 rushing yards to surpass JEROME BETTIS (13,662) and CURTIS MARTIN (14,101) for the fourth-most rushing yards all-time.

Most Career Rushing Yards

Player Seasons Total TDs
*Active (Source: NFL)
Emmitt Smith1518,355
Walter Payton1316,726
Barry Sanders1015,269
Curtis Martin1114,101
Jerome Bettis1313,662
LaDainian Tomlinson1013,404*

 

Along with Tomlinson's leadership qualities, Jets quarterback MARK SANCHEZ states that Tomlinson's unique ability to sense the whereabouts of defenders makes him a special player when the ball is in his hands. "He's got such great vision, he's got such great feel," says Sanchez. "He knows when I start moving to kind of shadow me and find the open lane, and that's what he does. It makes it easy on me having a guy like that."

NFL 2011 Best Running Backs: La Dainian Tomlinson Closes in on More TD Records