Bill Belichick with Tom Brday and LaDainian Tomlinson (Via Imago/New York Daily News)
Who else remembers the clash between the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers in the 2006 playoffs? Well, LaDainian Tomlinson sure remembers it second by second as he had the NFL legend at his mercy with his Chargers’ dominating performance.
During a recent appearance on ‘The Pivot‘ podcast, Hall of Famer Tomlinson recalled the thrilling game of the 2006 AFC Divisional Round against the Patriots. The year, when the legendary running back ripped Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as classless for the way they behaved after the close 24-21 victory.
But mainly, the former MVP was regretful about the playoff game, as the Chargers were the No. 1 seed with a 14-2 season and favorites to advance to the Super Bowl.
LaDainian Tomlinson and Tom Brady (Via CBS Sports)
We’re up on the Patriots by 11 in the fourth quarter. Marlin McCree intercepts Tom Brady and he's running back we're all like, ‘Get Down!’ Troy Brown pokes the ball out– they get the ball back with about I want to say five minutes. Brady goes down and scores okay they kick a onside kick get back. I was killing them... I was killing them. They weren’t gonna get the ball back. We were smashing the Patriots. Go back and look at it.LaDainian Tomlinson said
LaDainian Tomlinson on the 2006 Divisional Playoff game vs Tom Brady & Bill Belichick:
“I was killing them.. I was killing them… We were smashing the Patriots.”
(via: @thepivot)#SanDiego | #Chargers pic.twitter.com/BhoEPbdif1
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) April 6, 2024
LaDainian Tomlinson ripped Bill Belichick in postgame outburst
But that wasn’t the only happening incident from that day, as Tomlinson had a verbal argument with the Patriots on the field when a bunch of Patriots players mocked San Diego by performing his linebacker Shawne Merriman’s ‘lights-out’ dance at the midfield. The Hall of Famer didn’t like it at all that’s why he decided to confront them right on the field.
Later, during the post-game press conference, Tomlinson expressed his displeasure with his opponents’ behavior, saying he was “upset” because what New England players did was disrespectful. He also called them classless in an indirect way by saying he would never do such a thing because he has class.
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick (Via Yahoo Sports)
He also fired shots at head coach Belichick, saying it was probably his doing. However, later on, the Pro Football Hall of Famer apologized to the legendary head coach, claiming he should have kept it between the players.
