Junior Seau was found dead at his home at the age of 43.
On Wednesday Junior Seau’s girlfriend returned home to find his lifeless body on the bed of their home in Oceanside, California. A call was made at 9:35 am to police.
Police said Seau was found in a bedroom unconscious, with a gunshot wound to his chest. A hand gun was found nearby but no apparent suicide note had been left behind. He died at the age of 43.
Mourners gather outside Junior Seau's home in Oceanside, California
Seau’s mother Luisa was at church when she was told of her son’s death. ”I pray to God, ‘Take me, take me, leave my son.’ She said she was not aware of any issues troubling her son when she had spoken to him earlier in the week “He’s joking to me, he called me homegirl.” She was distraught and in tears outside his home as police walked in and out of Seau’s beachside home conducting their investigation.
His sister has asked for privacy for their family.
Seau was a twenty year NFL veteran and was considered by many as one of the best linebackers in the world.
Seau, an All-American at USC and 12-time NFL Pro Bowl linebacker, played 13 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and three seasons with the Dolphins. He left the game briefly but then signed and played with the New England Patriots before calling it quits for good in 2010.
The Patriots released a statement on Seau’s death:
Patriots statement on the death of Junior Seau: “We were shocked to hear of the initial reports regarding Junior Seau earlier today and are deeply saddened by the news of his death. We were fortunate to have had Junior join the Patriots in 2006 and are thankful for his many contributions to the team over the next four years. He had a legendary NFL career and his unrivaled passion for the game quickly made him a fan favorite here in New England. This is a sad day for the entire Patriots organization, our coaches and his many Patriots teammates. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his many friends who will mourn this loss.”
The Chargers also released a statement:
“Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now. We ask everyone to stop what they’re doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family.”
More than 100 people gathered outside of Seau’s home, only hours after he was found dead. Families showed up with flowers and fans wearing Chargers jerseys waited to get more news.
Prayers Goes out for da Seau family!!
My name is Tony Fala, I live here in Auckland. I wanted to write a cultural, community centred essay to honour Junior Seau when I heard the uso died. Junior meant a lot to me. Junior died tragically, but he lived a life of great service to many. It is so important Maaori and Pasifika media honour one of our sporting greats.
Junior Seau was a very special person, so my words here seek to uphold the dignity and mana of an uso who made the world a better place. Much of what I say below comes from a short tribute I wrote for Junior on an TV 3 online feedback piece, and is also from an longer essay I sent to the editor of Spasifik magazine, a few days ago. I hope other people express their respects to Junior and his family in Pacific communities.
I have some strong comments of support for Junior in my feedback letter here. But it is also important to put my words into a context. The United States is a place where there is a huge gap between rich and poor. I am no supporter of corporate America. I am uneasy about the close connections between professional sport and corporate America. I have no time, or patience with the idea special athletes deserve special treatment in any society, because they are great athletes. I do not believe that because someone is a great athlete then they are a great person. I am also uneasy with the idea great professional athletes get paid millions of dollars, while teachers, nurses, labourers, firefighters, and others earn so little. Junior had to negotiate these issues, and find ways to serve his community. Junior was both a fine human being and great footballer. I want to talk about Junior, his life, and the great game of football- from a community, not corporate perspective. At times, I disagreed with Junior.
I disagreed with Junior at times, especially his uncritical support of US war vets. I am a critic of the US wars in the Middle East, imperial wars for Oil. Junior was an supporter of the US Vets. I disagree with the fact many American Samoans from humble socio-economic backgrounds have died fighting America’s oil wars in the last 20 years- US Army and Navy recruiters have come directly into American Samoan high schools to recruit kids into the military. I disagree with Junior on his support for Vets. But I did agree with his support for his community in many of his other labours. Junior tried to use his football talent to help poorer folks.
Professional sport in the United States has traditionally been one means for folks from poorer communities to move out of hardship and poverty- that is the story of Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and many others. Junior came from a humble community in Oceanside, San Diego. Junior was a highly paid professional footballer. But Junior did not use his fame, wealth, or privilege to separate himself from those in the community who had far less than him. Like Joe Louis, or Ali, Junior never turned his back on his own people.
It is important to honour Junior, not for his wealth, or fame, or status as a famous professional athlete. It is important to honour Junior for his leadership, his years of selfless community service. Junior honoured Oceanside all throughout his life. It is also important to honour Junior’s extraordinary football talent, gifts given to him by his family, and developed, and nurtured in his community of Oceanside.
Junior lived a full and rich life in his all too short 43 years. But his life, example, and community service will live on in the lives of many he touched, including his children, and the many children of San Diego he assisted through his Seau Foundation. I have no doubt he will be honoured in American Samoa. It is a tragedy Junior is dead, and perhaps more will emerge about the circumstances of his death. But it is most important to remember how Junior lived, and, it is important to remember he will continue to live through the lives of people he touched and influenced.
Junior Seau was a devoted Dad to his kids, and loving husband to his now ex-wife. He was also a much loved son to his parents. Junior will be remembered as a humble and generous community worker in the San Diego area, where he gave much support to people through his Foundation, and through his time, energy and committment.
Junior’s work through the Seau Foundation was exemplary. Junior was most concerned about the wellbeing of children from poorer backgrounds. Many of his programmes focussed on the wellbeing of children. Junior was only a young 43 when he died. But he gave 20 years of service to the San Diego community through his Foundation. Junior also gave freely of his time to support other NFL players community charity events.
Junior’s restaurants in San Diego provided healthy, nutritious meals for people at a reasonable price. Junior gave much to the people of San Diego over many years of tireless service. Junior’s Sushi Bar in his restaurant was voted the best in San Diego one year. Junior was not interested in developing an up market restaurant to cater for upper class people. His restaurant catered for ordinary, San Diego working folks.
Junior was an fine younger generation leader in the Samoan and Pacific communities in the United States, and for PI in other parts of the PI Diaspora, including places like Aotearoa. Junior’s number “55″ San Diego Chargers jumper was a popular clothing item for young PI folks in the early 1990s in Aotearoa, the same way Troy Polamalu’s “45″ Steelers jersey is popular today.
Many PI folks around the planet take pride in the achievements of present day Pacific NFL stars. There have been many fine Pacific professional Pacific football players that have had distinguished careers in the NFL in the last 35 years- Jesse Sapolu, Mose Tatupu, Vai Sikahema, and Al Noga are four examples that come to mind. In recent years, Troy Polamalu has emerged as an NFL superstar, a safety of the calibre of Ronny Lott, or Kenny Easley. Other Pacific players, such as Paul Soliai, and Haloti Ngata are emerging NFL stars. But Junior Seau was the first NFL superstar of Pacific heritage.
Junior was intensity personified on the football fields of USC, then later in the NFL. He was Mr Perpetual Motion as an ILB and OLB- ferocious, dynamic, possessing power and tenacity against the run, a great dancers style, grace, artistry, and force against the pass. Some great athletes move like great dancers- Bo Jackson, Lynn Swan, Lawrence Taylor played football with the grace of the Russian ballet dancer, Nureyev. The lines between sport and art are blurred when one watches an athlete like Junior Seau in his prime.
Junior could play sideline to sideline, a linebacker with great lateral quickness and movement. Junior had great straight ahead speed, and great moving backwards speed- and that gave him the ability to quickly release backwards to the perimeter on plays pass, or shoot close to the line to rush the passer, or shut down the run moving forwards. He was a player that could slip and break down offensive linemen’s blocks quickly and efficiently, before making his play on the ball. Junior was one of the most talented pass rushers in the NFL in his prime. He was also a sure tackler, and heavy hitter of ball carriers. But Junior was also a gentleman on the field, an athlete with a sense of fair play and sportspersonship, a point NFL great Steve Young has made in recent days. Junior had great respect for his opponents, and tremendous humility.
Junior had tremendous athleticism, speed, and power. But he also possessed the other key attribute all great linebackers must possess- a nose for the ball, the same instincts a great open side flanker like Richie McCaw possesses in rugby. Junior’s football instincts, extreme physical toughness ( he had serious ankle and chest injuries during his career) coupled with his sheer physical gifts, made him the complete linebacker. In spite of his great talent, popularity and All Pro ( six times) and Pro Bowl ( 13 straight seasons) selections- Junior remained a humble, and generous servant of his family and community. PI folks should take great pride in Junior’s service, and humility.
Junior was a player so dominant in his prime he was frequently double, and triple teamed by opposing offenses. The 49rs had to triple team Junior at times, when the Chargers met the 49rs in the Superbowl, and, especially on goal line situations. Junior was known for his leadership on and off the field, his loyalty to team mates, and his humility as a soul in the world.
In many respects, Junior brought a Pacific sense of honour, humour, humility, alofa, and loyalty into the NFL, and we as Pacific wide people should honour Junior for his service in this respect. A number of former NFL players and coaches have spoken of Junior’s warmth, humility, and generosity as a football player in the NFL in recent days in cluding coaches such as Bill Belicheck and Norv Turner. Junior took some of our best attributes into a highly physical, demanding sport, and this should be remembered. Pacific people are a minority in the United States, so Junior served PI people through his football service.
NFL greats like Steve Young, and Derrick Brooks have already spoken about Junior and his qualities since his passing. Junior ranks with all time greats like Lawrence Taylor, Mike Singletary at the LB position, and he could play inside and outside LB. The linebacker is the quarterback of the defence in football, especially the middle linebacker. It is important for Maaori, and Pasifika people, as Pacific people- to know that one of our Pacific people ranks with the greatest players to ever play the linebacker position in the more than 75 year history of the NFL in the United States. NFL careers last an average of 3 and one half years. Many players suffer horrendous injuries, and play football in constant physical pain- players such as Brett Favre, Thomas Henderson, and Peyton Manning have all played with serious injuries, and serious pain. Junior played through the physical pain, and injuries, for an outstanding 20 seasons. That committment and tenacity is something all Pacific people possess, in all fields of endeavour.
It is important to recognise Junior’s many accomplishments. But most importantly, he was a father, husband, son, uncle, and brother to his extended ai’ga. Junior was beloved by his family. He was also honoured and highly respected by other Pacific people. Junior was also a role model, and friend to Samoan players such as Troy Polamalu, a present day NFL star.
Junior had some problems late in his life and that must be acknowledged. People need to speak honestly about all parts of Junior’s life. We need to be able to look at all parts of a person’s life, especially a young leader like Junior Seau. But Junior did much good in the world, and that will never be forgotten. I hope Pacific people can look at all of Junior’s life honestly, and recognise him for the humble, and generous servant to PI communities he was in all his labours. Junior had to navigate his way through great wealth, privilege, and fame- but he did that, serving those in the community with the least. May Junior rest in peace. Condolences to his ai’ga, his villages, and his community. Junior died in tragic circumstances. But he will continue to live in the lives of his family, children, and community. He will continue to live on in the lives of all the children he supported through his Seau Foundation. Rest easy uso.
Tony Fala.