Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau Jr. (pronounced /ˈseɪ.aʊ/ ; born January 19, 1969 in San Diego, California ) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent . He was drafted fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers during the 1990 NFL Draft . He played college football at the University of Southern California , and was the progenitor of the "NFL-USC linebacker".[1] A nine-time All-Pro and 12-time Pro Bowl selection, Seau was a member of the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team . He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots .
Early years
Though born in San Diego, his early years were spent with his family in American Samoa . Seau returned to California prior to grade school and has since resided in California. Seau attended Oceanside High School , and was an excellent student (a California All-Academic athlete with a 3.6 GPA in high school), and a letterman 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 Player of the Year. In basketball, as a senior, he was named the California Interscholastic Federation San Diego Section Player of the Year. In track and field he was the Avocado League Champion in the shot put .
College career
After graduating from high school, Seau attended the University of Southern California . After sitting out the 1987 season, he lettered in his final two seasons, 1988 and 1989, posting 19 sacks in 1989 en route to a unanimous first-team All-American selection.
At USC, Seau wore jersey number 55, a number since worn by other USC linebackers, including player and NFL coach Jack Del Rio , Chris Claiborne , Willie McGinest , and most recently, USC linebacker Keith Rivers . Like USC jersey number 58 (worn by Lofa Tatupu and Rey Maualuga ), USC jersey number 55 is celebrated by the USC team and Trojan fans (and studied by NFL scouts) -- it means membership in the exclusive USC linebacker group widely known as "Club 55" and connotes "future NFL linebacker star". Though not a "retired" jersey number, it carries a tradition and a wearing-player's obligation to excel, and, thus, is issued to incoming rookie linebacker players on a very thoughtful and selective basis by the USC coaching staff.
Seau is considered the progenitor of the "NFL-USC linebacker". In the decades that followed Seau, the USC football program has mentored a widely-recognized linebacker development program ("USC Linebacker U."). Noteworthy NFL-USC linebacker alumni include three-season All-American and NFL player Richard Wood , Seau, Del Rio, McGinest, Claiborne, Tatupu, Thomas Williams , Oscar Lua , Dallas Sartz , Rivers, Brian Cushing , Kaluka Maiava , Clay Matthews III and Rey Maualuga .
Professional career
San Diego Chargers
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 selection. Seau quickly became one of the most popular players on the Chargers, receiving the nickname "Tasmanian Devil ".[citation needed ]
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. He started no less than 13 games for the Chargers over the ensuing 11 seasons, registering a career high with 155 tackles in 1994 . That year, Seau assisted his team to a championship appearance in Super Bowl XXIX and logged 19 tackles in the AFC Championship Game. In 2002, his final year with the Chargers, he logged a then-career low 84 tackles and missed his final Pro Bowl with 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 Dolphins, making 133 tackles on the year. 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.
First retirement
Seau announced his retirement at an emotional press conference on August 14, 2006, after signing a one-day contract with the San Diego Chargers. 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.
New England Patriots
Seau returned to football just four days later, signing with the New England Patriots . 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 New England Patriots for the 2007 season. In September 2007 Seau was named one of the Patriots' seven captains. He would go on to start 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 . The Patriots, who had not lost a game in the season to that point, fell to the Giants in the game, with Seau's first Super Bowl ring still eluding him.
Seau re-signed with the Patriots on December 5, 2008, replacing linebacker Adalius Thomas , who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the season. 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 has stated that he did not feel threatened by the fan; he thought that the fan was happy and excited and got carried away.
On October 7, 2009, NFL Network reported that the New England Patriots had an "agreement in principle" with Seau for a fourth one-year deal; Seau took physicals and worked out with the team. He officially signed on October 13. He was active for 7 games for the Patriots in 2009 , recording 14 tackles as a reserve linebacker.
Second retirement
Seau announced his intention to retire for a second time on the television program Inside the NFL on January 13, 2010, although he has not officially retired from professional football.
Personal
His parents are Tianina Seau, Sr., and Luisa Mauga Seau of Aunu'u, American Samoa . Seau is actively involved with community work through his foundation as well as Samoan day events called "sister city" within San Diego county. Seau owns a clothing line, Say-Ow, as well as Seau's The Restaurant in Mission Valley , San Diego . In April 2010 he opened his second restaurant, "Seau's of Temecula."
Sports Jobs with Junior Seau premiered on December 2, 2009 on Versus . The show follows Seau as he does the jobs that make sports work. Ten episodes aired during the first season, with finale airing on January 27, 2010. As of March 3, 2010 the show has not been renewed for a second season.
On October 18, 2010, Seau was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, and drove his SUV off of a cliff following his release, suffering only minor cuts and bruises.
Junior Seau Foundation
In 1991, Seau created the Seau Foundation, which raises money for drug awareness, child abuse prevention, and college scholarships. The Foundation gives out an annual award to the individual who exemplifies the mission statement of the Junior Seau Foundation.
- 2000–– Legend of the Year — Sid Brooks
- 2001–– Legend of the Year — Lance Alworth
- 2002–– Legend of the Year — Sid Gillman
- 2003–– Legend of the Year — Don Coryell
- 2004–– Legend of the Year — Marcus Allen
- 2005–– Legend of the Year — Deacon Jones
- 2006–– Legend of the Year — Bobby Ross
- 2007–– Legend of the Year — Warren Moon
- 2008–– Legend of the Year — Marshall Faulk
- 2009–– Legend of the Year — Charlie Joiner
References
- ^ a b Breer, Albert (2009-01-21). "USC just might be the true location of Linebacker U" . Sporting News . http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=509434d . Retrieved 2009-11-11.
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