Jammer screens LT’s access

Published: Sunday, June 10, 2007 5:30 PM PDT

E-MAIL STORY

The first day of the Chargers mini-camp at Chargers Park, reporters lined up to talk to NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson as he sat before his locker.

The second day, Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer and his fellow defensive backs that share of a corner of the locker room with LT put out a velvet rope to screen access to their VIP’s corner.

Then Jammer taped up a sign that read: “$100 toll to see LT. ”

In some NFL locker rooms, this would have been uncomfortable sign of tension. Maybe the superstar has grown a superstar ego or maybe teammates resent the superstar’s superstar treatment

My first experience with such a scene was as a young reporter in the San Diego Clippers locker room at the Sports Arena.

Tom Chambers, then an all-star for the Clippers, was surrounded by reporters after he had a big game. Lionel Hollins, an aging star who dressed next to Chambers, returned from the shower and barked at reporters with the petulance of a 12-year-old (and this was after a win), “This is my space! This is my space!”

But in this example, we’re talking about the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson. When the league’s humble superstar entered the locker room and the sign was pointed out to him, he laughed. Then he bowed his head and walked to his locker.

“That’s what about what I expected from him,” Jammer said. “He laughed. He’s just LT; that’s all you can say.”

Something else this tells us, though, is there is no hangover from the Chargers’ playoff loss to the New England Patriots last season. It’s the same tight group of players focused on winning a Super Bowl.

By the way, LT granted all of his many interview requests. When the season starts, he’ll go back to the routine of meeting with the media in a press conference setting outside the locker room. And Jammer can take down the velvet ropes and his sign. But don’t tell him I owe him a $100.

-- TOM SHANAHAN

6 Comments so far on this story...

LT is a gentleman, and a true role model. Not a bad football player, either!

Posted by Bert G. | reply to this comment
June 11, 2007 5:22 am

I love LT and always will. I think I realize this more than the average person. Last year, after the evening Steelers game....me & my family members who have season tix were afforded access to the roped off VIP trailer area outside the stadium. My brother who is about 36 yrs old was giddy as a child and asked LT (while jumping up & down) for his autograph. LT responded that he "was not signing anything today." At this moment, I was instantly saddened & disappointed. However, after seeing the good works he is constantly doing in the community, I have to give him a free pass because he may have just been having a bad day. The moral of the story is that I have taken all athletes off their pedestal.

Posted by Ed C | reply to this comment
June 11, 2007 5:51 am

Good Luck to LT & the Chargers. Bring the Super Bowl Trophy home to SD!!!

Posted by chgrbill | reply to this comment
June 11, 2007 10:45 am

i disagree with Ed C. LT was not having a bad day when he declined to sign autographs. The demand for autographs on a mega star is unreasonable. No offense to Ed's brother, but autographs are largely no longer about pleasing young fans, they're about money: collectibles. LT signs a lot of stuff for charitable events. I'd settle to shake his hand and tell him he's an important inspiration to my son and countless other boys and young mean. It was said during the time of boxing champion John L. Sullivan, that men would shout, "Shake the hand of the man who shook the hand of the man who shook the hand of John L. Sullivan." LT is in that category of fame, and growing

Posted by Northernmost Bolthead | reply to this comment
June 11, 2007 11:59 pm

I love u Lt ur the greatest football player.

Posted by Ivan | reply to this comment
June 15, 2007 12:18 pm

Look at you guys... you got shut down so hard and you still love him. If LT is so classy then why is it all about the money? You guys are blinded cause you are to busy worshipping him. Anybody who decline s a single autograph is a stiff...By the way, when was the last time TO turned off the old autograph machine for a day. It takes a reall asshole to turn someone as excited as your brother sounds for an autograph just cause it will cost him money...very classy, LT, just like you said in your interveiw....

Posted by bstone | reply to this comment
June 16, 2007 3:09 pm

Reader feedback

Users may post more than one comment, but should not pose as multiple users. Multiple posts from the same IP address but with a different user name on each will be reviewed to determine whether abuse has occurred.
Posts with overly personal attacks or unsubstantiated allegations may be edited or deleted.
Please be patient with the posts -- there may be a delay before they appear on the site -- and make sure to enter the code in the "image verification" box.