LaDainian Tomlinson did not just run for the Chargers, he carried an entire offense for a decade. The No. 21 in San Diego and then Los Angeles was the most complete running back of his era: a 1,800-yard rusher, a 100-catch receiver and a goal-line finisher who scored 31 touchdowns in a single season, a record that still stands. A LaDainian Tomlinson jersey is the easiest way to represent the best player in franchise history. This guide covers every No. 21 style we carry, how the Chargers colorways differ across the eras, and how to choose the version that matches how you wear it.
Why LaDainian Tomlinson is the Chargers' best ever
Tomlinson was drafted fifth overall in 2001 out of TCU, and he was an immediate starter with 1,236 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie. The peak came in 2006, when he ran for 1,815 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns, caught 56 passes for another 508 yards, and finished the season with 31 total touchdowns, an NFL record that has not been touched since. That year he was named NFL MVP, and the Chargers went 14-2.
The career totals are what separate him. He finished with 13,684 rushing yards, 145 rushing touchdowns, 4,772 receiving yards and 162 total touchdowns, the third-highest total in league history when he retired. He led the NFL in rushing in 2006 and again in 2007 with 1,474 yards, made five Pro Bowls, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He signed a one-day contract with the Chargers in 2012 to retire as a member of the team, and the franchise retired his No. 21.
What number did LaDainian Tomlinson wear?
LaDainian Tomlinson wore No. 21 for the San Diego Chargers from 2001 through 2009, and he kept No. 21 with the New York Jets in 2010 and 2011. The Chargers retired the number after he retired as a Charger in 2012. Every LT jersey on Rivalries Jersey is a stitched jersey with sewn numbers, a sewn nameplate and a No. 21 in the Chargers block font, all priced at $69.95. The lineup splits into three groups: black releases such as the Black Reflective jersey and the Black Elite Pro Line Gold Collection, Salute to Service editions including the 2016 black and the 2021 Olive Camo, and lighter team-color pieces such as the Navy Blue tank top. The Black Reflective is the closest thing to a statement jersey, while the 2021 Olive Camo is the one that stands out most in a collection.
Every LaDainian Tomlinson jersey style we carry
The No. 21 lineup is heavier on black, Salute to Service and sleeveless builds than most player collections, which suits a running back who played his home games in the California sun. Every style is stitched and $69.95.
| Version | Color | Detail | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Reflective | Black | Reflective number and lettering build | Night games and statement wear |
| Black Elite Pro Line Gold Collection | Black | Heaviest stitched build, gold trim | Collectors and display pieces |
| Black 2016 Salute to Service | Black | Earlier military tribute release | Fans building an STS run |
| 2021 Olive Camo Salute to Service | Olive camo | Camo tribute colorway | Fans who want the newest STS look |
| Navy Blue Team Color Tank Top | Navy | Sleeveless cut with stitched No. 21 | Warm-weather and summer wear |
| Green Salute to Service | Green | Alternate STS color, jersey or tank top | Sideline and training wear |
Los Angeles Chargers #21 LaDainian Tomlinson 2021 Olive Camo Salute To Service Jersey
$69.95
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Which LaDainian Tomlinson jersey should you buy?
If you only buy one, make it the Black Elite Pro Line Gold Collection: it is the heaviest stitched build in the lineup, the gold trim separates it from the standard black jersey, and it works as a display piece as easily as it works on game day. Fans who want the most recognizable modern LT look should take the Black Reflective jersey, which is the closest thing here to the night-game aesthetic the Chargers wear now. Collectors building a Salute to Service set should look at the 2021 Olive Camo first because it is the newest colorway, then add the Black 2016 release. For warm-weather wear, the Navy Blue Team Color tank top is the practical pick.
If you are building out the Chargers roster, our Justin Herbert jersey guide covers the quarterback who followed LT's era, and the Khalil Mack jersey guide handles the defensive side. Both sit alongside the Joey Bosa jersey guide as the core of a modern Chargers collection. Every No. 21 style is in the Los Angeles Chargers jerseys collection.
Fit and care for a stitched No. 21
These jerseys use a standard athletic cut, so order your normal size and go up one only if you plan to layer. Tank tops in the lineup follow the same sizing, which makes it easy to pair one with a jersey you already own. Stitched tackle twill needs gentle handling: wash cold, inside out, on a delicate cycle, then hang it to dry. Keep the dryer and the iron away from the numbers and nameplate, because heat causes stitching to pucker. Youth and women's sizes follow the same chart, so measure a top that fits today if you are between sizes.
What number did LaDainian Tomlinson wear?
He wore No. 21 for the Chargers from 2001 to 2009 and kept No. 21 with the New York Jets in 2010 and 2011.
Is the LaDainian Tomlinson jersey stitched?
Yes. Every No. 21 style we carry is a stitched jersey with sewn numbers and a sewn nameplate.
How many touchdowns did LaDainian Tomlinson score in 2006?
He scored 31 total touchdowns in 2006, including an NFL-record 28 rushing touchdowns, and he was named NFL MVP that season.
Do the LT jerseys fit true to size?
Yes, in a standard athletic cut. Size up once if you want room to layer underneath.
