Los Angeles Chargers

WATCH: LaDainian Tomlinson gives inspirational speech at Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony

Published Aug. 5, 2017 11:14 p.m. ET

The finest running back in Chargers history entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame as LT the football player, but left fans with an impression of LaDainian Tomlinson the man.

On Saturday, Tomlinson stepped to the podium following his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and delivered a rousing speech 170 years in the making with the arrival of his great-great-great-grandfather to America on a slave ship from West Africa:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/894019755304075264

Closing his speech, Tomlinson issued a challenge to football fans and Americans alike.

"Let’s choose to be for one another. My great, great, great grandfather had no choice," said Tomlinson. "We have one. I pray we dedicate ourselves to be the best team we can be, working and living together, representing the highest ideals of mankind, leading the way for all nations to follow.