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This Week in NFL History (June 14 to June 20): LaDainian Tomlinson retires, signs one-day contract with Chargers

Published: Jun 13, 2021 at 03:34 PM

NFL Research

Welcome to This Week in NFL History! Every week, the Research team will spotlight the anniversaries of notable events and birthdays.

June 14

-- QB Vince Young officially retired after playing 6 seasons (5 with the Titans & 1 with the Eagles) in 2014 (last played in 2011)

31-19 as a starting QB, led Titans to 2007 playoffs as starter (L at SD in WC RD), 2-time Pro Bowl selection (following 2006 & 2009 seasons) & 2006 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
3rd overall pick in 2006 Draft by the Titans

-- Notable Birthdays: CHI OC Bill Lazor (49) & BAL WR Sammy Watkins (28)

June 15

-- HOF Dan Marino signed a 2-year extension (final contract) with the Dolphins in 1999

5-6 W-L as starter, 55.3 comp pct (career-low), 2,448 pass yards, 12 pass TD, 17 INT & 67.4 passer rating (career-low) in final season of his career in 1999
The Dolphins suffered the 2nd-biggest defeat (55 points) in NFL postseason history in Marino's final game in 62-7 loss at the Jaguars in 1999 AFC Divisional Round

-- Notable Birthday: LAR WR Cooper Kupp (28)

June 16

-- The Bears signed HOF Brian Urlacher (9th overall pick) to his 5-year rookie deal in 2000

2000 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year (Led all rookies in tackles - 123)
8-time Pro Bowl selection, 4-time 1st-Team All-Pro, 2005 AP Defensive Player of the Year & 2000's All-Decade Team member in 13 seasons with the Bears (2000-2012)

-- Notable Birthday: MIN WR Justin Jefferson (22)

June 17

-- HOF LaDainian Tomlinson signed a 1-day contract with the Chargers & retired in 2012

Played 9 seasons of his 11 NFL seasons with the Chargers (2001-2009)
2006 AP NFL MVP (Set NFL single-season records for rush TD (28) & scrimmage TD (31) in 2006), 5-time Pro Bowl selection & 3-time 1st-Team All-Pro with the Chargers
13,684 rush yards (7th-most in NFL history), 145 rush TD (2nd-most in NFL history), 18,456 scrimmage yards (6th-most in NFL history) & 162 scrimmage TD (3rd-most in NFL history)

June 18

-- The Eagles signed DT Fletcher Cox (12th overall pick) to his rookie contract in 2012

6-time Pro Bowl selection, 2018 1st-Team All-Pro, Super Bowl LII Champion & 2010's All-Decade Team member in 9 seasons played with the Eagles

-- TE Dallas Clark retired in 2014

Super Bowl XLI Champion, 2009 1st-Team All-Pro & 2010 Pro Bowl selection with Colts
Played 11 NFL seasons with the Colts (2003-2011), Buccaneers (2012) & Ravens (2013)

-- Notable Birthdays: Romeo Crennel (74), HOF Bruce Smith (58), C Jeff Saturday (46), TE Antonio Gates (41) & LAC CB Chris Harris Jr. (32)

June 19

-- Philadelphia & Pittsburgh were granted permission to merge for one season in 1943

The team was known as Phil-Pitt (called the Steagles by fans), split home games between the 2 cities & HOF Earle "Greasy" Neale of PHI & HOF Walt Kiesling of PIT were co-HCs
The team went 5-4-1 & the merger automatically dissolved the last day of the season on December 5

-- The Panthers signed WR Steve Smith (74th overall pick in 3rd Rd) to his rookie contract in 2001

Earned 2001 1st-Team All-Pro selection as a rookie returner (Co-led NFL with 2 kickoff return TD)
5-time Pro Bowl selection, 2-time 1st-Team All-Pro & 2005 AP Comeback Player of the Year (Co-led NFL with 103 rec w/ Larry Fitzgerald, led NFL with 1,563 rec yards & co-led NFL with 12 rec TD w/ HOF Marvin Harrison)
1 of 4 players in the SB era (HOF Lance Alworth in 1966, HOF Jerry Rice in 1990 GB Sterling Sharpe in 1992) to co-lead or lead in NFL in receptions, receiving yards & receiving TD in the same season (2005)

-- Notable Birthdays: HOF Leo Nomellini & IND CB Xavier Rhodes (31)

June 20

-- Notable Birthdays: HOF Len Dawson (86), RB Darren Sproles (38) & NYG DT Leonard Williams (27)