LaDainian Tomlinson rejoins Chargers as special assistant

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Former running back LaDainian Tomlinson rejoined the Chargers on Thursday as a special assistant to the owner.

The Los Angeles Chargers made the move to reunite the San Diego sports hero with the franchise that employed him for his first nine NFL seasons. Tomlinson will be a public representative of the Chargers and will participate in community outreach programs while the franchise moves north after 56 seasons in San Diego.

"L.T. is one of the most beloved and iconic Chargers of all time," owner Dean Spanos said. "His active involvement in our fight for Los Angeles is vital, and he represents the very best of what it means to be a Charger on the field and in the community."

The 37-year-old Tomlinson will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. He was elected in his first year of eligibility after rushing for 13,684 yards and 145 touchdowns on the ground in an 11-year career.

Tomlinson was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL MVP in 2006, when he set a league record with 28 touchdowns on the ground. He led the NFL in rushing twice, and he holds 28 Chargers team records.

"I spent the most memorable and exciting years of my career as a Charger," Tomlinson said in a statement. "Joining the franchise as it makes the move to Los Angeles, and helping to rally new and familiar Chargers fans alike, is an honor and a privilege. I'm looking forward to working alongside the Spanos family once again."

Tomlinson finished his career with the New York Jets in 2011. The Chargers retired his No. 21 in 2015.

The franchise will play the next two seasons at StubHub Center in Carson, California, before moving into the opulent Inglewood stadium being built by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019.

Tomlinson will continue to be an NFL Network analyst while working for the Chargers. The network is headquartered in Culver City, just north of Inglewood.