over the line of scrimmage to score. He wore a distinctive dark visor for the majority of his career, to prevent migraines caused by stadiums lights; this benefitted him as it prevented defenders from reading his eyes. When scoring, Tomlinson would frequently perform his own "teardrop" celebration, placing his left hand behind his head and flipping the ball with his right. He was often known by his initials, L.T., a nickname he shared with Hall of Fame New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor. In 2005, Schottenheimer described Tomlinson as the finest running back he'd seen, arguing that past greats such as Jim Brown and Gale Sayers hadn't had to contend with defenders of the same size and speed. When Tomlinson's number was retired in 2015, a trio of analysts on NFL.com placed him 3rd, 7th, and 8th respectively on their lists of top running backs in the Super Bowl era. In 2021, the statistical site Pro-Football-Reference.com ranked him as the fifth-best running back in NFL history. An NFL Network show, The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players, aired in 2010 and ranked Tomlinson No. 61 among all positions, while a 2019 USA Today poll placed him at No. 54. However, he was not among the ten running backs named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. The Chargers formally retired his number in 2015, while also inducting him into their Hall of Fame. Tomlinson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, his first year of eligibility. After thanking his family, as well as former coaches and teammates, Tomlinson spoke about his ancestors who had worked as slaves in a plantation in Tomlinson Hill and issued a call for racial unity, saying, "On America's team, let's not choose to be against one another. Let's choose to be for one another. My great‑great‑great‑grandfather had no choice. We have one. I pray we dedicate ourselves to be the best team we can be, working and living together, representing the highest ideals of mankind, leading the way for all nations to follow." NFL career statistics Regular season Postseason NFL records Most single season touchdowns: 31 (2006) Most single season rushing touchdowns: 28 (2006) Most points scored in a single season: 186 (2006) Most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown: 18 (2004–2005) Most consecutive games with a touchdown: 18 (2004–2005; tied with Lenny Moore) Most consecutive games with 2+ touchdowns: 8 (2006)