NFL football star LaDainian Tomlinson is going to Netflix with a story to tell.
DailyLoud on X announces $11.5 Million Netflix Deal with Hall of Fame Running Back. The deal cut between Netflix and the now-retired Hall of Fame running back amounted to a whopping $11.5 million with a seven-episode series to be filmed on his record-setting work with the San Diego Chargers. “The UnderDog” is the name of the series, as confirmed on a Facebook post, which will explore in detail the life of Tomlinson, being an underdog, and how he made it to NFL superstardom.
San Diego Chargers Legend LaDainian Tomlinson Signs $11.5 Million Deal with Netflix for 7-Episode Series pic.twitter.com/7iC2DLIhhv
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) June 28, 2025
LaDainian Tomlinson’s Underdog Past
An NFL MVP in 2006 and a five-time Pro Bowler, LaDainian Tomlinson played nine electrifying seasons with the Chargers organization, and in the process rewrote what the modern running back looked like. A character of elusiveness, vision, and unmatched versatility, LT called it a career with more than 13,000 rushing yards and 145 rushing touchdowns, compiling big numbers all the way to the top of the NFL greats list.
“The UnderDog”, however, is not only about the highlights. The show is also supposed to unfold the life of Tomlinson as he grew up in Rosebud, Texas, his reign in college when he was at TCU, and ascended the NFL ladder after being picked fifth in the first round of the draft in 2001. It will also provide fans with a rare look at the struggle that he endured through, from taking a franchise with a long history of not being able to win a playoff game and making them a contending team, and his emotional departure from San Diego.
LaDainian Tomlinson
Aug 5, 2017; Canton, OH, USA; SanDiego Chargers former running back LaDainian Tomlinson poses with presenter and former teammate Lorenzo Neal (left) and his bust during the Professional Football HOF enshrinement ceremonies at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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The tale of LaDainian Tomlinson is of grit, determination, and legacy, all of which are aspects that will likely shine in the Netflix show. As the streamer keeps expanding its efforts into sports storytelling, The UnderDog becomes part of an increasingly long list of competitive sports documentaries and biopics looking to tug at the chords of fans on and off the field.
This is not a simple blast from the past to the fans of the Chargers and the NFL. It is an opportunity to experience one of the most iconic careers in the history of football as experienced by the man himself.
There is still no release date yet, but already there is hype surrounding it. And by the looks of the title, it can be assumed that The UnderDog will be an informative, motivating look at one of the NFL’s greatest.
LaDainian Tomlinson
December 20, 2009; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) runs for a short gain during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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Chargers LT running back
UNITED STATES – DECEMBER 10: Football: San Diego Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson (21) victorious, getting carried off field by team after scoring 29th season touchdown and setting NFL single-season record during 4th quarter of game vs Denver Broncos, San Diego, CA 12/10/2006 (Photo by Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X77202 TK1 R9)