TCU football legend gifts Hall of Fame jacket, stuns university
TCU football legend and 2017 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee LaDainian Tomlinson has made a generous donation to the university that shocked everyone.
The university announced this week that Tomlinson gifted his gold Hall of Fame jacket to his alma mater. Tomlinson visited the football program Monday morning, touring new facilities and meeting with players and head coach Sonny Dykes before making the surprising donation.
Tomlinson spent four years with the TCU Horned Frogs from 1997-2000, compiling over 5,200 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns in 44 games. He led the FBS in both his junior and senior year in rushing yards and led the conference in his junior and senior year in touchdowns. Tomlinson finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy race in 2000 before being drafted fifth overall in the subsequent draft to the San Diego Chargers.
Tomlinson spent 11 years in the NFL as a running back before retiring in 2011. He finished second in the NFL Rookie of the Year voting in 2001 and was selected to five Pro Bowl teams from 2002-07. Tomlinson led the league in rushing years from 2006-07 and led the league in touchdowns in 2004 and 2006-07.
Tomlinson won the NFL MVP in 2006 after breaking multiple NFL records, including the single-season touchdown record, most rushing touchdowns and most points scored in a season. The NFL also awarded Tomlinson the prestigious Walton Payton Man of the Year Award along with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees for his contributions to the community.
“I was Hall of Famer 309,” LT told players and coaches as he revealed his jacket. “Only a hundred-and-some men in the world got this gold jacket, and we are keeping it here right at TCU.”
Tomlinson, also a trustee of the university, also stated how grateful he was to give back.
“It’s a humbling experience to think where I’ve come from to presenting this gold jacket and to be able to give back to this program that has given me so much,” Tomlinson said.
The Horned Frogs will open the 2025 season in Chapel Hill against the North Carolina Tar Heels on Monday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
This story was originally published July 30, 2025 at 11:16 AM.
