 Seau with theNew England Patriots in 2008 | |||||||||||||||||
| No. 55 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1969-01-19)January 19, 1969 San Diego, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Died | May 2, 2012(2012-05-02) (aged 43) Oceanside, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 250 lb (113 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school | Oceanside | ||||||||||||||||
| College | USC (1987–1989) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1990: 1st round, 5th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Tiaina Baul "Junior"Seau Jr. (/ˈseɪ.aʊ/;SAY-ow; January 19, 1969 – May 2, 2012) was an American professionalfootballlinebacker who played in theNational Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons, mostly with theSan Diego Chargers. Known for his passionate play,[1][2] he was a six-time first-teamAll-Pro, twelve-timePro Bowl selection, and named to theNFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was elected posthumously to thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Originally fromSan Diego, California,[3][4] Seau playedcollege football for theUSC Trojans, earningAll-American honors in 1989. He was selected by the Chargers with the fifth overall pick of the1990 NFL draft. Seau played for the Chargers for 13 seasons and led them toSuper Bowl XXIX before being traded to theMiami Dolphins where he spent three years, and spent his last four seasons with theNew England Patriots. After his retirement, his No. 55 wasretired by the Chargers and he was inducted intotheir Hall of Fame.
Seau shot himself in the chest and died by suicide in 2012 at age 43. Later studies by theNational Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that Seau hadchronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease that has also been found inother deceased former NFL players.[5][6] It is believed to be caused by repetitive head trauma, and can lead to conditions such as dementia, rage, and depression.[6]
Seau was born on January 19, 1969, inSan Diego, California,[7] the fifth child of Tiaina Seau Sr. and Luisa Mauga Seau ofAunu'u,American Samoa. Tiaina Sr.'s grandfather was a village chief inPago Pago. Tiaina Sr. worked at a rubber factory and was a school custodian, and Luisa worked at the commissary ofCamp Pendleton in Southern California and a laundromat.[8] After Seau was born, the family moved back to American Samoa for several years before returning to San Diego; Seau did not learn to speak English until he was seven years old.[9] At home, Seau and his three brothers had to sleep in the family's one-car garage.[8]
Seau attendedOceanside High School inOceanside, where helettered in football,basketball, andtrack and field. As a football player, Seau was a starter at linebacker andtight end, and as a senior, he was named the Avocado League offensive MVP and led the 18-member Oceanside Pirates team to the San Diego 2A championship.Parade selected Seau to its high school All-American team.[8]
In basketball, as a senior, he was named the California Interscholastic Federation San Diego Section Player of the Year.[9] He helped his team win the 1987 Lt. James Mitchell Tournament and make third place in the Mt. Carmel Invitational.[10] In track and field, he was the Avocado League champion in theshot put.[9] Seau was also named to California's all-academic team with a 3.6grade-point average.[11]
After graduating from high school, Seau attended theUniversity of Southern California (USC). He had to sit out from football in his freshman season due to his 690SAT score on the college entrance exam, which was 10 points short of USC's minimum score for freshman eligibility.
Seau toldSports Illustrated: "I was labeled a dumb jock. I went from being a four-sport star to an ordinary student at USC. I found out who my true friends were. Nobody stuck up for me—not our relatives, best friends or neighbors. There's a lot of jealousy amongSamoans, not wanting others to get ahead in life, and my parents got an earful at church: 'We told you he was never going to make it.' " This prompted him to apologize to his coaches, teachers, and principal at Oceanside High.[8]
Seaulettered in his final two seasons with theUSC Trojans, 1988 and 1989, posting 19 sacks in 1989 en route to a unanimous first-teamAll-American selection.[9]
.jpg)
After three years as a Trojan, Seau entered the NFL draft after his junior season and was chosen in the first round of the1990 NFL draft byBobby Beathard'sSan Diego Chargers as the fifth overall draft pick.[12] Seau quickly became one of the most popular players on the Chargers,[7] receiving the nickname "Tasmanian Devil", after the wild antics of the cartoon character.[13] He became the face of the Chargers franchise and a San Diego sports icon.[1][2]
Seau started 15 of the 16 games he played in during his rookie season, and was named an alternate to the1991 Pro Bowl after recording 85 tackles. In1991, he picked up 129 tackles and seven sacks and was named to the1992 Pro Bowl, the first of 12 consecutive Pro Bowls for Seau.[14] In1992, he was awarded theGeorge Halas Trophy by theNewspaper Enterprise Association as the NFL's top defensive player,[15]NFL Defensive Player of the Year byFootball Digest,[16]AFC Defensive Player of the Year byUnited Press International,[17] and theNFL Players Association (NFLPA) AFC Linebacker of the Year.[18] He also won the NFLPA award in 1993 and 1994.[19][20][21]
He started no fewer than 13 games for the Chargers over each of the ensuing 11 seasons, registering a career-high 155 tackles in1994, when he led his team to a championship appearance inSuper Bowl XXIX. In one of the greatest games in his career, he recorded 16 tackles in the1994 AFC Championship Game while playing with a pinched nerve in his neck in a 17–13 victory over thePittsburgh Steelers.[22] Despite San Diego's 1–15 record in2000, theNFL Alumni Association named him their Linebacker of the Year.[23][24] In 2002, his final year with the Chargers, he logged a then-career low 83 tackles and missed his final Pro Bowl due to an ankle injury.
On April 16, 2003, Seau was traded to theMiami Dolphins for a conditional draft choice. He started 15 games that season for the 10-6 Dolphins and was one of their standout defensive players.[25] However, in 2004, a tornpectoral muscle limited Seau to eight games, 68 tackles, and one sack. He started five of the first seven games he played in with the Dolphins in 2005, but was placed oninjured reserve on November 24 with anachilles tendon injury. On March 6, 2006, Seau was released by the Dolphins.
Seau announced his retirement at an emotionalpress conference on August 14, 2006. He called it his "graduation" because he was not going to stop working. He contended that he was merely moving on to the next phase of his life.[26]
Seau returned to football just four days later, signing with theNew England Patriots.[27] He started 10 of the first 11 games for the Patriots, recording 69 tackles before breaking his right arm while making a tackle in a game against theChicago Bears. He was placed on injured reserve on November 27.
On May 21, 2007, Seau re-signed with the Patriots for the2007 season. In September 2007, Seau was named one of the Patriots' seven captains.[28] He was a prominent contributor to the Patriotsundefeated regular season that year.[25] He started four of the 16 games he played in for the Patriots in 2007, and then started the Patriots' twoplayoff games beforeSuper Bowl XLII against theNew York Giants. New England's undefeated streak ended with a Super Bowl loss to the Giants.
After the Patriots had a number of injuries late in the2008 season, they re-signed Seau. He started two of four games he played.[29] On December 22, 2008, a fan was arrested for trespassing and assault and battery for tackling Seau as he stood on the New England sideline during a home game against theArizona Cardinals. Seau stated that he did not feel threatened by the fan; he thought that the fan was happy and excited, and just got carried away.[30]
On October 7, 2009,NFL Network reported that the Patriots had an "agreement in principle" with Seau for a fourth one-year deal; Seau took physicals and worked out with the team.[31] He officially signed on October 13.[32] He was active for 7 games for the Patriots in2009, recording 14 tackles as a reserve linebacker.[33]
Seau announced his intention to retire permanently on the television programInside the NFL on January 13, 2010.[34]
| Year | Team | GP | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | |||
| 1990 | SD | 16 | 85 | 61 | 24 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1991 | SD | 16 | 129 | 111 | 18 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1992 | SD | 15 | 102 | 79 | 23 | 4.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 51 | 25.5 | 29 | 0 | 10 |
| 1993 | SD | 16 | 129 | 110 | 19 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 58 | 29.0 | 42 | 0 | 11 |
| 1994 | SD | 16 | 154 | 123 | 31 | 5.5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 1995 | SD | 16 | 128 | 111 | 17 | 2.0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 1996 | SD | 15 | 139 | 111 | 28 | 7.0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 10 | 0 | 7 |
| 1997 | SD | 15 | 97 | 84 | 13 | 7.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 16.5 | 26 | 0 | 6 |
| 1998 | SD | 16 | 114 | 91 | 23 | 3.5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 1999 | SD | 14 | 98 | 74 | 24 | 3.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 | 9 |
| 2000 | SD | 16 | 122 | 102 | 20 | 3.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| 2001 | SD | 16 | 94 | 83 | 11 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 2002 | SD | 13 | 83 | 59 | 24 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 25 | 0 | 7 |
| 2003 | MIA | 15 | 96 | 66 | 30 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2004 | MIA | 8 | 57 | 31 | 26 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | MIA | 7 | 36 | 18 | 18 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 | NE | 11 | 69 | 39 | 30 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | NE | 16 | 74 | 58 | 16 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 28 | 9.3 | 23 | 0 | 4 |
| 2008 | NE | 4 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | NE | 7 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career[35][36][37] | 268 | 1,846 | 1,436 | 410 | 56.5 | 12 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 238 | 13.2 | 42 | 1 | 98 | |
His restaurant atWestfield Mission Valley inMission Valley, California—Seau's The Restaurant, which opened in 1996—was his most successful business venture.Seau also had a clothing line, Say Ow Gear.[38][39] The restaurant was closed on May 16, 2012, just two weeks afterhis death; the trustees of his estate explained that "Without Seau's charismatic leadership, it was felt that the future profitability of the restaurant could be in question."[40]
Sports Jobs with Junior Seau premiered on December 2, 2009, onVersus. The show followed Seau as he did the jobs that make sports work. Ten episodes aired through January 27, 2010.
Seau was actively involved with community work through Samoan "sister city" projects withinSan Diego County.
In 1992, Seau created the Junior Seau Foundation with the mission to educate and empower young people through the support of child abuse prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, recreational opportunities, anti-juvenile delinquency efforts and complementary educational programs.[41]
The 20th Anniversary Junior Seau Celebrity Golf Classic was held March 10–12, 2012, at the La Costa Resort and Spa.
The Foundation gave out an annual award to the individual who exemplifies the mission statement of the Junior Seau Foundation.
In 1989, Seau's older son, Tyler, was born to Seau's high school sweetheart, Melissa Waldrop.[42][43] Seau broke up with Waldrop when Tyler was 13 months old.[44] He married Gina Deboer in 1991. The couple had three children together, a daughter and two sons,[9] before divorcing in 2002.[8][45][46] Seau's son Jake attendedDuke University where he played lacrosse.[47] In 2019, Jake signed with theDallas Rattlers ofMajor League Lacrosse.[48]
Seau sustained minor injuries in October 2010 when his SUV plunged down a 100-foot cliff in Carlsbad, California, only hours after he was arrested for domestic violence following an incident reported to the police by his girlfriend at their home in nearby Oceanside.[49][22] Seau stated that he fell asleep at the wheel, and was never charged in the domestic incident.[1]
Seau's nephew,Ian Seau, was also a football player.[50] Another nephew, Micah Seau, played football atSan Diego State.[51] His cousin wasPulu Poumele.[52]
On May 2, 2012, Seau was found dead with a gunshot wound to the chest at his home inOceanside.[53] Authorities ruled his death asuicide.[54] He left nosuicide note, but did leave a piece of paper in the kitchen of his home with lyrics he scribbled from his favorite country song, "Who I Ain't." The song, co-written by his friend Jamie Paulin, describes a man who regrets the person he has become.[42][55]
Seau's death recalled the 2011 suicide of former NFL playerDave Duerson, who shot himself in the chest and left a suicide note requesting that his brain be studied for brain trauma.[56][57][58] Seau had no prior reported history ofconcussions,[53][59] but his ex-wife said he did sustain concussions during his career.[60] "He always bounced back and kept on playing," Gina Seau said. "He's a warrior. That didn't stop him."[61] Seau had insomnia for at least the last seven years of his life, and he was takingzolpidem (Ambien), a prescription drug commonly prescribed for sleep disorders.[62][63]
Seau's autopsy report released later in August 2012 by theSan Diego County medical examiner indicated that his body contained no illegal drugs or alcohol, but did show traces of zolpidem. No apparent signs of brain damage were found, nor was he determined to have exhibited mood changes and irritability often apparent with concussions and brain damage.[54][63][64][65]
There was speculation that Seau suffered brain damage due toCTE, a condition traced to concussion-related brain damage with depression as a symptom,[56][66][67][68][69] as dozens of deceased former NFL players were found to have CTE.[70] Seau's family donated his brain tissue to theNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of theNIH;[71] other candidates included theCenter for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and theBrain Injury Research Institute.[68][72] Citing the Seau family's right to privacy, NIH did not intend to release the findings.[71][73]
On January 10, 2013, Seau's family released the NIH's findings that his brain showed definitive signs of CTE. Russell Lonser of the NIH coordinated with three independentneuropathologists, giving them unidentified tissue from three brains, including Seau's. The three experts - along with two government researchers - arrived at the same conclusion. The NIH said the findings on Seau were similar to autopsies of people "with exposure to repetitive head injuries."[70][74]
On January 23, 2013, Seau's family sued the NFL over the brain injuries he had over his career.[75] In 2014, his family continued to pursue the lawsuit while opting out of theNFL concussion lawsuit's proposed settlement, which was initially funded with $765 million.[76] The family reached a confidential settlement with the league in 2018. The Seaus' attorney said that they were "pleased" with the resolution.[77]
Seau is one of at least 345NFL players to be diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is caused by repeated hits to the head.[78][79]
Seau was known for his passionate playing style, including a fist-pumping dance he performed after big plays.[1][2] Rick Gosselin ofThe Dallas Morning News said Seau "probably was the most dynamic player of his era".[80] NFL head coachNorv Turner, who coached Seau as well as faced him as an opponent, said, "The No. 1 thing about Junior was that he was such an explosive player he'd defeat one-on-one blocks and he was a great tackler."[80]
Seau's quickness allowed him to freelance, which sometimes put him out of position. "People say he gambled a bit, but in reality, his insight led him to the ball ... Even when he was wrong, you had to account for him and that created problems for offensive coordinators. You'd better have somebody blocking him," said former NFL coachTom Bass.[80]
He was praised by teammates for his work ethic and leadership. He would play when hurt, and often refused to leave games.[2] "He played the game the way it was meant to be played," said retired Denver Broncos quarterbackJohn Elway.[39]Bill Belichick, his coach at New England, praised Seau's leadership and willingness to accept any role.[29]
He was named to theChargers 40th and50th anniversary teams, which honor the top players and coaches in the team's history. He was inducted into theSan Diego Chargers Hall of Fame on November 27, 2011, as part of Alumni Day ceremonies at a sold-out game against theDenver Broncos atQualcomm Stadium. Fellow Chargers Hall of FamerDan Fouts introduced Seau before a crowd of nearly 71,000.[81]
Chargers PresidentDean Spanos honored Seau after his death as "...An icon in our community. He transcended the game. He wasn't just a football player, he was so much more."[38] TheChargers retired his No. 55 during his public memorial.[82] TheJunior Seau Pier Amphitheatre andJunior Seau Beach Community Center were renamed posthumously in his honor by the city of Oceanside in July 2012.[83][84]
On September 1, 2012, during the University of Southern California's home opener, Seau was honored by the team. On September 16, 2012, the Chargers retired Seau's number 55 during a ceremony at the 2012 regular season home opener against the Tennessee Titans. TheSan Diego Hall of Champions inducted Seau into the Breitbard Hall of Fame on February 25, 2013, forgoing their normal two-year waiting period after an athlete's retirement or death.[85]
Seau became eligible for election into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. His eligibility was not accelerated due to his death from the standard five-year waiting period after a player's retirement.[86] On January 31, 2015, Seau was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[87] He wanted his daughter, Sydney, to introduce him if he were ever to be inducted. However, the Hall of Fame cited a five-year policy of not allowing speeches for deceased inductees, denying Sydney the opportunity to introduce her father.[88][89][90]
Instead, she was allowed to speak onstage for three minutes uninterrupted on theNFL Network, and delivered a pared down version of her full speech, whichThe New York Times published.[89][90] Seau is the first player of Polynesian and Samoan descent to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.[90]
On September 21, 2018,ESPN releasedSeau, a30 for 30 documentary that highlighted Seau's career, as well as the effects of his injuries on his life, his family, and his post-football endeavors.[91][92]
On August 5, 2023, Junior Seau's linebacker teammate in Miami for three years,Zach Thomas, paid tribute to him at the end of his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech: "But there's one person whose name I've yet to mention. His poster hung on my wall in college, and he was everything I wanted to be as a football player. He was my inspiration, and he became my teammate and friend. Though he's not here physically, he's here in spirit and in a bust in that building behind me. I'm truly honored to join him. Junior Seau, love ya buddy."
To teammates, he is "The Tasmanian Devil," named after the frenzied cartoon character.
The Chargers' Junior Seau was selected AFC linebacker of the year in a vote of the NFL Players Association
Nevertheless, Seau led the team in tackles for the third straight season; led it in tackles for losses; was named the club's co-MVP, along with defensive end Leslie O'Neal; was named a Pro Bowl starter for the third straight year; was named the NFL Players Association AFC Linebacker of the Year and was picked to the All-Pro team.
Junior Seau was named the linebacker of the year yesterday, one of four Chargers to win Mackey Awards. The awards are presented by the NFLPA to the year's outstanding players based on statistical achievements of votes among their peers as most valuable at their position.
The association recognized one player at each position, and the selection of Seau spoke volumes considering the Chargers finished 1-15 this season.
The board of directors at the San Diego Hall of Champions has decided to forego the normal voting process and induct Junior Seau into the Breitbard Hall of Fame on Feb. 25.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
