Junior Seau

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox NFL biography

Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau Jr. (Template:IPAc-en; Template:Respell; January 19, 1969 – May 2, 2012) was an American professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons, mostly with the San Diego Chargers. Known for his passionate play,<ref name=williamson/><ref name=acee_05022012/> he was a six-time first-team All-Pro, twelve-time Pro Bowl selection, and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was elected posthumously to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Originally from San Diego, California,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Seau played college football for the USC Trojans, earning All-American honors in 1989. He was selected by the Chargers with the fifth overall pick of the 1990 NFL draft. Seau played for the Chargers for 13 seasons and led them to Super Bowl XXIX before being traded to the Miami Dolphins where he spent three years, and spent his last four seasons with the New England Patriots. After his retirement, his No. 55 was retired by the Chargers and he was inducted into their Hall of Fame.

Seau committed suicide in 2012 at age 43. Later studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that Seau had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease that has also been found in other deceased former NFL players.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="SevereCTE">Template:Cite web</ref> It is believed to be caused by repetitive head trauma, and can lead to conditions such as dementia, rage, and depression.<ref name="SevereCTE"/>

Early life

Seau was born on January 19, 1969, in San Diego, California,<ref name="Legends"/> the fifth child of Tiaina Seau Sr. and Luisa Mauga Seau of Aunu'u, American Samoa. Tiaina Sr.'s grandfather was a village chief in Pago Pago. Tiaina Sr. worked at a rubber factory and was a school custodian, and Luisa worked at the commissary of Camp Pendleton in Southern California and a laundromat.<ref name="SI 1993"/> 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.<ref name="Pats"/> At home, Seau and his three brothers had to sleep in the family's one-car garage.<ref name="SI 1993"/>

Seau attended Oceanside High School in Oceanside, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track and field. As a football player, Seau was a starter at linebacker and tight 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.<ref name="SI 1993"/>

In basketball, as a senior, he was named the California Interscholastic Federation San Diego Section Player of the Year.<ref name="Pats"/> He helped his team win the 1987 Lt. James Mitchell Tournament and make third place in the Mt. Carmel Invitational.<ref name="LAT 1987">Template:Cite news</ref> In track and field, he was the Avocado League champion in the shot put.<ref name="Pats"/> Seau was also named to California's all-academic team with a 3.6 grade-point average.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

College career

After graduating from high school, Seau attended the University of Southern California (USC). He had to sit out from football in his freshman season due to his 690 SAT score on the college entrance exam, which was 10 points short of USC's minimum score for freshman eligibility.

Seau told Sports 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 among Samoans, 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.<ref name="SI 1993"/>

Seau lettered in his final two seasons with the USC Trojans, 1988 and 1989, posting 19 sacks in 1989 en route to a unanimous first-team All-American selection.<ref name="Pats"/>

Professional career

San Diego Chargers

File:Junior Seau 1994 (cropped).jpg
Seau at training camp in 1994

After three years as a Trojan, Seau entered the NFL draft after his junior season and was chosen in the first round of the 1990 NFL draft by Bobby Beathard's San Diego Chargers as the fifth overall draft pick.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Seau quickly became one of the most popular players on the Chargers,<ref name="Legends">Template:Cite web</ref> receiving the nickname "Tasmanian Devil", after the wild antics of the cartoon character.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He became the face of the Chargers franchise and a San Diego sports icon.<ref name=williamson/><ref name=acee_05022012>Template:Cite news</ref>

Seau started 15 of the 16 games he played in during his rookie season, and was named an alternate to the 1991 Pro Bowl after recording 85 tackles. In 1991, he picked up 129 tackles and seven sacks and was named to the 1992 Pro Bowl, the first of 12 consecutive Pro Bowls for Seau.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1992, he was awarded the George Halas Trophy by the Newspaper Enterprise Association as the NFL's top defensive player,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> NFL Defensive Player of the Year by Football Digest,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> AFC Defensive Player of the Year by United Press International,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) AFC Linebacker of the Year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He also won the NFLPA award in 1993 and 1994.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He started no fewer than 13 games for the Chargers over each of the ensuing 11 seasons, registering a career-high 155 tackles in 1994, when he led his team to a championship appearance in Super Bowl XXIX. In one of the greatest games in his career, he recorded 16 tackles in the 1994 AFC Championship Game while playing with a pinched nerve in his neck in a 17–13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.<ref name=ap_05022012/> Despite San Diego's 1–15 record in 2000, the NFL Alumni Association named him their Linebacker of the Year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.

Miami Dolphins

On April 16, 2003, Seau was traded to the Miami 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.<ref name=walker>Template:Cite news</ref> However, in 2004, a torn pectoral 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 on injured reserve on November 24 with an achilles tendon injury. On March 6, 2006, Seau was released by the Dolphins.

New England Patriots

Seau announced his retirement at an emotional press 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Junior Seau with Patriots side view cropped.jpg
Seau with the Patriots in 2008

Seau returned to football just four days later, signing with the New England Patriots.<ref name="signarticle">Template:Cite news</ref> 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 the Chicago Bears. He was placed on injured reserve on November 27.

On May 21, 2007, Seau re-signed with the Patriots for the 2007 season. In September 2007, Seau was named one of the Patriots' seven captains.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was a prominent contributor to the Patriots undefeated regular season that year.<ref name=walker/> He started four of the 16 games he played in for the Patriots in 2007, and then started the Patriots' two playoff games before Super Bowl XLII against the New 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 the 2008 season, they re-signed Seau. He started two of four games he played.<ref name="reiss">Template:Cite news</ref> 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 the Arizona 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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He officially signed on October 13.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was active for 7 games for the Patriots in 2009, recording 14 tackles as a reserve linebacker.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Retirement

Seau announced his intention to retire permanently on the television program Inside the NFL on January 13, 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

NFL career statistics

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<ref name=ESPN>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>2002 San Diego Chargers Media Guide. Pg. 128.</ref><ref>2008 New England Patriots Media Guide. Pg. 247.</ref> 268 1,846 1,436 410 56.5 12 18 0 18 238 13.2 42 1 98

Beyond football

His restaurant at Westfield Mission Valley in Mission Valley, California—Seau's The Restaurant, which opened in 1996—was his most successful business venture. Template:AnchorSeau also had a clothing line, Say Ow Gear.<ref name=baker_davis_repard/><ref name=davis_wilkens/> The restaurant was closed on May 16, 2012, just two weeks after his 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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sports Jobs with Junior Seau premiered on December 2, 2009, on Versus. 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 within San Diego County.

Junior Seau Foundation

Template:Anchor 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.

Personal life

In 1989, Seau's older son, Tyler, was born to Seau's high school sweetheart, Melissa Waldrop.<ref name=lieber_steeg_10142012/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Seau broke up with Waldrop when Tyler was 13 months old.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He married Gina Deboer in 1991. The couple had three children together, a daughter and two sons,<ref name="Pats">Template:Cite web</ref> before divorcing in 2002.<ref name="SI 1993">Template:Citation</ref><ref name="SDUT">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="TV Guide">Template:Cite web</ref> Seau's son Jake attended Duke University where he played lacrosse.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2019, Jake signed with the Dallas Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse.<ref name="Lacrosse_Magazine">Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="Crash">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=ap_05022012>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Seau stated that he fell asleep at the wheel, and was never charged in the domestic incident.<ref name=williamson>Template:Cite news</ref>

Seau's nephew, Ian Seau, was also a football player.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Another nephew, Micah Seau, played football at San Diego State.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His cousin was Pulu Poumele.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Death

File:JuniorSeauMemorialByPhilKonstantin.jpg
Media and fans at a memorial outside Seau's house the day after his suicide

On May 2, 2012, Seau was found dead with a gunshot wound to the chest at his home in Oceanside.<ref name=duke_carter/> Authorities ruled his death a suicide.<ref name=lieber_steeg/> He left no suicide 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.<ref name=lieber_steeg_10142012>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=lendon>Template:Cite news</ref>

Seau's death recalled the 2011 suicide of former NFL player Dave Duerson, who shot himself in the chest and left a suicide note requesting that his brain be studied for brain trauma.<ref name=Smith/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Seau had no prior reported history of concussions,<ref name=duke_carter>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=espn_05032012>Template:Cite news</ref> but his ex-wife said he did sustain concussions during his career.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "He always bounced back and kept on playing," Gina Seau said. "He's a warrior. That didn't stop him."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Seau had insomnia for at least the last seven years of his life, and he was taking zolpidem (Ambien), a prescription drug commonly prescribed for sleep disorders.<ref name=moore>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=mihoces>Template:Cite news</ref>

Seau's autopsy report released later in August 2012 by the San 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.<ref name=lieber_steeg>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="mihoces"/><ref name=perry>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

There was speculation that Seau suffered brain damage due to CTE, a condition traced to concussion-related brain damage with depression as a symptom,<ref name=Smith>Smith, Michael David, "Boston researchers request Junior Seau’s brain" Template:Webarchive. NBCSports Pro Football Talk, May 3, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.</ref><ref name=revisit>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=given>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as dozens of deceased former NFL players were found to have CTE.<ref name=fainaru-wada>Template:Cite news</ref> Seau's family donated his brain tissue to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the NIH;<ref name=lavelle>Template:Cite news</ref> other candidates included the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and the Brain Injury Research Institute.<ref name=given/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Citing the Seau family's right to privacy, NIH did not intend to release the findings.<ref name=lavelle/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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 independent neuropathologists, 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."<ref name="fainaru-wada"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On January 23, 2013, Seau's family sued the NFL over the brain injuries he had over his career.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014, his family continued to pursue the lawsuit while opting out of the NFL concussion lawsuit's proposed settlement, which was initially funded with $765 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The family reached a confidential settlement with the league in 2018. The Seaus' attorney said that they were "pleased" with the resolution.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Seau is one of at least 345 NFL players to be diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is caused by repeated hits to the head.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Legacy

File:Junior Seau in Chargers Ring of Honor.jpg
Seau honored at the Chargers Ring of Honor

Seau was known for his passionate playing style, including a fist-pumping dance he performed after big plays.<ref name=williamson/><ref name=acee_05022012/> Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News said Seau "probably was the most dynamic player of his era".<ref name=canepa_05032012>Template:Cite news</ref> NFL head coach Norv 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."<ref name=canepa_05032012/>

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 coach Tom Bass.<ref name=canepa_05032012/>

He was praised by teammates for his work ethic and leadership. He would play when hurt, and often refused to leave games.<ref name=acee_05022012/> "He played the game the way it was meant to be played," said retired Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway.<ref name=davis_wilkens>Template:Cite news</ref> Bill Belichick, his coach at New England, praised Seau's leadership and willingness to accept any role.<ref name=reiss/>

He was named to the Chargers 40th and 50th anniversary teams, which honor the top players and coaches in the team's history. He was inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame on November 27, 2011, as part of Alumni Day ceremonies at a sold-out game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Fellow Chargers Hall of Famer Dan Fouts introduced Seau before a crowd of nearly 71,000.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Junior Seau Chargers jersey.jpg
Seau's jersey was retired by the San Diego Chargers, where he played 13 seasons

Chargers President Dean 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."<ref name=baker_davis_repard>Template:Cite news</ref> The Chargers retired his No. 55 during his public memorial.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Junior Seau Pier Amphitheatre and Junior Seau Beach Community Center were renamed posthumously in his honor by the city of Oceanside in July 2012.<ref name=huard>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=horn>Template:Cite news</ref>

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. The San 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Seau became eligible for election into the Pro 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On January 31, 2015, Seau was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=sandomir_08092015>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=seau_08082015>Template:Cite news</ref>

Instead, she was allowed to speak onstage for three minutes uninterrupted on the NFL Network, and delivered a pared down version of her full speech, which The New York Times published.<ref name=sandomir_08092015/><ref name=seau_08082015/> Seau is the first player of Polynesian and Samoan descent to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.<ref name=seau_08082015/>

On September 21, 2018, ESPN released Seau, a 30 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.<ref name="SI_30_30">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="NFL_Tragedy">Template:Cite news</ref>

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."

See also

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