TheSportingNews- Two of LaDainian Tomlinson’s former teammates with the now-Los Angeles Chargers are being blocked from attending the running back’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday.
Two sources told Sporting News that new Chargers coach Anthony Lynn is insisting that quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates instead participate in the team's first training camp session at the StubHub Center. One source said Gates is considering going, anyway, even if the trip draws a fine. It's common for coaches to give active players who are close with a Hall of Fame inductee the chance to attend the ceremony. One example is Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who was given permission to miss Cardinals practice this weekend so he can see Kurt Warner’s induction in person. --------- Ah, what better way to ingratiate yourself to the two veterans who surely have the most well respected voices in the first locker room you've ever been given complete control of than by denying them the opportunity to celebrate the career of a former teammate that is a legendary figure in franchise history. Honestly, how could Anthony Lynn ever be taken seriously as a Head Coach if he didn't put his foot down and prioritize a single practice over the attendance of beloved players at a silly little 'Hall Of Fame' ceremony? Sure, it's in honor of the one guy whose career could elicit much-needed happy memories and nostalgically pander to the scorned fans of San Diego that are currently sitting on the fence as they consider jumping off the half-full bandwagon as it pulls into the apathetic city of Los Angeles. However, it's simply not worth it to give a 35 year old quarterback and a 37 year old, injury prone tight end a day off due to the message it would send. Can you imagine their teammates thinking that forming such a close bond with other teammates that they would feel obligated to appreciate their historical efforts in person years later is something that the Chargers' franchise holds in high regard? You might not think that giving proven professionals a single excused absence and an opportunity to celebrate the greatness that they were a part of spells disaster. However, in the organizational culture that Anthony Lynn is instituting in a brand new city that already has a more popular team to root for 'disaster' is spelled R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
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