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RB LaDainian Tomlinson on NFL career: I wanted to be Walter Payton

For Class of 2017 Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, football has always been his life.

“I fell in love with football with my dad,” LT said during a conference call with reporters on Thursday, “He would always find the [Chicago] Bears on TV, and seeing Walter Payton play, I wanted to be him, be a running back.”

Not to mention, LT grew up in Waco, Texas, and played football at TCU a place where ‘football is religion.’ Being surrounded by great football talent in Texas at a young age, Tomlinson knew he wanted to be an NFL star, but one moment in particular changed his football career path forever.