“He’s a future Hall of Famer,” says Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith. “My only regret is that he leaves San Diego without a Super Bowl ring.”

LT is no longer a Chargers player.

^{Courtesy Chargers.com}

Earlier today, Chargers president Dean Spanos met with LaDainian Tomlinson and informed the Chargers’ all-time greatest player that he is being released.

“This is a part of the business that I hate,” says Spanos. “It’s particularly hard when you’re dealing with someone I consider a friend.”

Many predicted this day was on the horizon. Still, the departure of Tomlinson brings a sense of sadness, and loss to the Chargers fans and former teammates.

Minus the forum of a press conference, many of Tomlinson’s teammates took to Twitter to voice their support for Tomlinson.

“Thank you for making my career a success thus far, you’re the man. Wish I could have gotten you a ring.” – Shaun Phillips.

“Sad day today… big bro just got released. LT is and always will be remembered as a Charger!” – Marcus McNeill

McNeill’s sentiment is shared by Spanos: “No matter where he chooses to continue his career, in my mind, LT will always be a San Diego Charger. His legacy as one of the greatest running backs the game has ever seen will be as a Charger.”

Tomlinson departs the Chargers with 28 team records, making his list of accomplishments unparalleled among those that have worn a Chargers uniform. Those records include being the team’s all-time leader in rushing yards, yards from scrimmage and touchdowns.

“LT is a true pro," says Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner. "He’s one of the greatest runners this game has ever seen, and words can’t do justice to the things he’s accomplished on and off the field.”

During his nine seasons in San Diego, Tomlinson won two rushing titles (2006 and 2007), set an NFL single-season record for touchdowns in a season (31 in ’06), and racked up 12,490 rushing yards, the eighth highest total in NFL history. He was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2006 and earned Pro Bowl honors five times.

Off of the field, Tomlinson has also been a star in the community. In 2006, he won the NFL Man of the Year Award in recognition of philanthropic efforts. This spotlight he has often shared with his wife, LaTorsha.

“So many people have been positively affected by their generosity. Our community has been fortunate to have them,” says Spanos.

Together they formed the Touching Lives Foundation. It is a charitable organization that has literally touched thousands of lives as it has given back to the community by providing free Chargers tickets for underprivileged kids, educational scholarships and free Thanksgiving dinners to San Diegans in need.

Despite all that Tomlinson has accomplished both on and off the field, now may be the appropriate time for the team to turn the page and bid farewell. Tomlinson’s numbers have greatly diminished in each of the last three seasons. Tomlinson finished 2009 with only 730 yards, less than the half of the 1,474 yards he posted in 2007, and dramatically off from his 2006 high of 1,815 yards.

“The best way to look at the LT situation is that we all have to embrace change,” wrote Philips. “Turnover is a part of the league. It’s for the best sometimes.”