Junior Seau

Home > Other > Junior Seau > Page 25
Junior Seau Page 25

by Jim Trotter


  Matthews, Bruce, 29

  Mauga, Benson, 158–59

  McCallum, Napoleon, 45

  McCants, Keith, 38, 39, 41, 42, 50–51

  McCrary, Fred, 109

  McDaniels, Josh, 139

  McDonald, Ricardo, 99

  McGuire, Ed, 116

  McNeil, Ryan, 123

  Metcalf, Eric, 84

  MGM International, 162

  Miami Dolphins, 64–65, 119, 120–31

  championship potential of, 121, 122

  game with Chargers, 124–26

  Seau cut from, 130–31

  Miami Herald, 146–47

  Miller, Chris, 55

  Miller, Marty, 175

  Mims, Chris, 58, 69

  Minnesota Vikings, 26, 139

  Mitchell, Shawn, 185

  Mix, Ron, 29, 132

  Montamble, Don, 14–16, 17

  Moore, Tom, 104

  Moreno, Zeke, 123–24

  Moss, Randy, 138–39, 141

  Mudd, Howard, 104

  Muncie, Chuck, 63, 64

  Munoz, Anthony, 29

  MVP Kickoff Party, 74, 75

  N

  naproxen, 185

  National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), 19

  National Football League (NFL), 66, 118

  crisis support line, 188

  culture of, 149–50

  injuries in, 146–48

  brain damage from, x, 109–10, 151–53, 185–86, 188

  concussions, 150–53

  conflict of interest with doctors and, 148–50

  helmet in preventing, 151–52

  pay-to-injure program, 145–46

  safety rules and, 174

  self-medication for, 148

  warrior mentality toward, 70, 79, 146–47, 150–51

  kids’ program, 72

  lawsuits against, 149, 152, 185–86, 188

  life for players after, ix–x

  Man of the Year, 72

  1990 draft, 36–39

  players’ difficulty transitioning from life in, 187–89

  suicides by former players, 142–43, 182, 188

  underclassmen allowed into the draft by, 29

  NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), 19

  neurological geniuses, 79

  New England Patriots, 37, 134–44

  Superbowl game, 140–42

  undefeated season of, 139

  New Orleans Saints, 78–80, 101, 145–46

  New York Giants, 37, 140, 141–42

  New York Jets, 37

  NFL. See National Football League (NFL)

  NFL Rocks: Extreme Football, 2, 151

  Nike, 72

  19th Hole, The, 82, 106

  Niu, Sai, 1, 7–8, 9

  Nix, Buddy, 116

  Noderer, Megan, 167, 169, 175–80, 181–82

  Nolan, Mary, 154–55

  Norris, Mike, 175

  North County Blade-Citizen, 9, 10

  O

  Oakland Raiders, 138–39, 147

  Oceanside, California, 1, 2–3

  beach boot camp, 194

  Hunter Steakhouse, 178

  Polynesian community in, 20–21

  Restaurant, The, xii, 74–76, 90, 117–18, 142, 153–54, 169, 184

  Seau’s ongoing connection with, 55–56

  Oceanside Boys & Girls Club, 5, 17, 132–33

  O’Donnell, Neil, 71

  Ohio State Buckeyes, 14, 27

  Oliver, Paul, 188

  Olsen, Eric, 194

  O’Neal, Leslie, 51–52, 64, 69, 122–23

  Oregon State, 27

  P

  Pace, Orlando, 197

  Pacific Athletic Club, 188

  Pac-10, 29

  Palmer, Carson, 146

  Pan American Junior Championships, 7–8

  Parade, 12

  Parrella, John, 70, 94

  Pascale, Joe, 80, 92–94

  paternity test, 166–67

  Patterson, Justin, 56

  Paulin, Jamie, 186

  pay-to-injure program, 145–46

  Pees, Dean, 135, 136

  Pennington, Chad, 127

  Perkins, Ray, 38, 39

  Peterson, Carl, 64

  Philadelphia Eagles, 119

  Philcox, Todd, 84

  Phillips, Joe, 43

  Phillips, Shaun, 116

  Pioli, Scott, 134

  Pittsburg Steelers, 57, 70–72

  Placek, Liba, 119, 138

  Plummer, Gary, 40, 72

  Pop Warner Football, 72

  Porter, Rufus, 37

  Poumele, Pulu, 5, 9–10, 23

  Pro Bowl, 55, 100, 104, 106, 122–23, 166

  Professional Bull Riders Tour, 144

  Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2, 197–99

  Proposition 48, 19–22

  PSINet Stadium, 102–3

  Pupunu, Alfred, 64, 66–67, 125

  Q

  Qualcomm Stadium, 86, 165, 192

  Quinn, Dan, 129–30

  R

  Ramirez, Ken, 190

  Reid, Andy, 119

  Restaurant, The, xii, 74–76, 142, 153–54

  fan pilgrimages to, 184

  press conference at, 117–18

  Ring of Honor ceremony and, 169

  Thanksgiving at, 90

  Revak, Bernard, 76

  Rice, Jerry, 73, 118, 139

  Richard, Stanley, 67, 76

  Riley, Mike, x, 96–97, 100, 111, 114–15

  Ring of Honor, 164–66, 169–70

  Rivers, Philip, 139

  Roberts, Dave, 138

  Robinson, John, 25–26

  Rochon, Lela, 75

  Roggeman, Tom, 28

  Rome, Jim, 102

  Rosner, Steve, 72

  Ross, Bobby, 57–59, 68, 69, 77, 96

  Rowe, Patrick, 76

  Ruby Tuesday, 161–62

  Ruff, Orlando, 99, 101, 114, 138, 187–88

  Ryan, Tim, 25, 29, 30

  S

  Saban, Nick, xi, 128–29, 130

  Sacharoff, Mitchell, 178

  SACKS for San Diego, 88

  Salavea, Okland, 7–8, 17

  Salisbury, Sean, 84

  Samoan culture, 3

  financial responsibilities in, 11, 12–13

  humility in, 51

  jealousy in, 21

  warrior mentality in, 6, 70

  San Clemente, California, 178–79

  Sanders, Deion, 42–43, 73

  San Diego Chargers, 36

  1994 season, 66–73

  2000 season, 101–3

  2003 season, 111–14

  acceptance of by team members, 39–40

  AFC Championship Game, 70–72

  coach changes of, 57–59

  contract negotiations with, 41–44, 48–49, 68, 80–81, 84, 115

  DeBoer in, 31–35

  debut with, 45–46

  defense built around Seau, 93–94

  exceptions made for Seau by, 51–52

  game with Miami, 124–26

  Hall of Fame induction, 164–66

  Leaf in, 83–84, 90–94, 97–98

  Patriots games against, 139–41, 142

  personnel changes in, 68–69, 77–78, 94–97, 111–13

  poor performance of, 57–59

  rough start with, 49–52

  Seau as face of, 60–61, 63–65, 74, 84–87, 118–19

  Seau honored by, 131–34

  Seau’s turnaround in, 54–65

  Seau traded by, 111–19

  Super Bowl games, 71, 73

  team minicamp, 84–87

  try-out workout for, 38–39

  without Seau, 123–24

  San Diego Evening Tribune, 5–6, 40, 76

  San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, 36, 39, 64, 72, 92, 100, 169

  San Diego Padres, 138

  “San Diego Super Chargers,” 64

  San Diego Union, 42, 43

  San Diego Union-Tribune, 105, 117, 121–22, 123–24

  San Francisco
49ers, 26, 73, 141

  “Say Ow! Gear,” 72

  “Say Ow!” water, 75

  Scaffidi, Roy, 7–9, 10

  Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), 19–20

  Schottenheimer, Marty, 112–13, 117

  Schroeder, Jay, 63

  scout teams, 97

  Seattle Seahawks, 37, 59

  Seau, Annette (sister), 3

  on education, 20

  on financial problems, 173–74

  on Gina, 81, 108

  on personality change, 158

  on suicide attempt, 157–58

  support from, 21

  Seau, Antonio (brother), 3, 68

  Seau, David (brother), 3

  Seau, Hunter (son), 169, 172, 194–96, 198

  Seau, Jake (son), 82, 107, 160, 165–66, 169, 170–71, 198

  Seau, Luisa (mother), 3, 11, 12, 183

  on aftermath of suicide, 192

  on Colorado University, 18

  home of, 192

  Seau, Mary (sister), 3

  on academic performance, 21

  babysitting by, 4–5

  on charitable work, 132

  competitiveness of, 4–5

  on depression, 173

  on father’s shame over Junior’s behavior, 50

  financial assistance from, 12–13

  on Junior’s temper, 5–6

  on treatment of women, 193

  Seau, Savaii (brother), 3

  Seau, Sydney (daughter), 68, 82, 107, 166, 170–71

  on Hall of Fame induction, 198–99

  relationship of with Seau, 167–69

  on Seau, 192–93

  Seau, Tiaina (father), 3, 10

  ashamed of Junior’s behavior, 50, 51

  in college choice, 19

  on education, 20–21

  employment and finances of, 11

  expectations of, 11–12, 20–21

  home of, 192

  pride of, 72

  suicide and, 182–83

  Seau, Tiaina Junior “Bug.” See also San Diego Chargers

  academic performance of, 19–22

  alcohol abuse by, 106, 108–9, 119–20, 131, 154, 159–60, 172–73, 190–91

  athleticism of, 5, 11, 12, 24–25

  attitude change in, 55–57

  in basketball, 4–6, 7–8, 12

  blitzing by, 104–5, 106, 140

  as brand, 72–73

  charitable work of, 57, 72, 88–90, 132–33, 194

  charm/charisma of, 4, 6–7, 33, 72, 164, 191

  childhood of, 3–7

  children of, 30, 68

  as coach, 175

  college recruitment of, 14–19

  compartmentalization by, x–xi, 108–9

  compassion of, 6, 56–57, 66, 132–33

  competitiveness of, 4–5, 9, 79, 102–3, 105–6

  contract negotiations of, 41–44, 48–49, 68, 80–81, 84, 115, 119, 120, 128, 134, 142, 144

  defense built around, 26–29, 28, 40, 93–94, 122–23, 126–27

  with Dolphins, 111–31

  domestic violence accusation against, 154–55, 179

  drafted, 36–39

  drug use by, 172–73, 185

  ethnicity of, 3

  family expectations on, 11–12, 12–13, 47–48, 120, 169–70, 173–74

  family problems of, 68

  fans’ perceptions of, 42, 48–49, 63–65, 85, 118–19, 184–85

  as a father, 159–61, 165–69, 172

  financial activities of, 54, 72–73, 74–76, 120, 161–63, 173–74

  fist thrust signature move by, 55

  gambling by, 108–9, 161–63, 174, 175

  gravesite of, 194

  greatness of as linebacker, 104–5

  Hall of Fame induction, 164–66, 197–99

  high school career of, 7–11

  on his father, 51

  humility of, 33, 50–51, 59–60, 100, 164, 195

  humor of, 3, 62–63, 125, 128–29, 164, 193–94, 195

  injuries to, 27, 69–71, 78–80, 99, 109–10, 114, 115, 122, 126, 127–28, 130, 137–38, 146–47, 150–53

  insomnia of, 172–73

  instincts/understanding of football by, 61–62, 67–68, 136–37, 140

  intelligence of, 63

  intensity of, 24–25, 47, 62, 129–30, 132–33, 198

  jersey of, 29–30, 124–25, 132

  leadership of, 29, 84–85, 100–101, 110, 113, 115–16, 119, 124, 126, 129, 186

  Leaf and, 84–87, 91–94

  loyalty of, 8, 28–29, 100, 177, 179

  made ceremonial Charger, 131–34

  manipulativeness of, x, 33, 98

  marriage of, 34–35

  media and, 121–22

  mentoring by, 100–101

  moved to inside linebacker, 40–41, 49–51, 54, 60–61

  moved to middle linebacker, 80

  move to La Jolla, 82

  music favored by, 6, 135

  with Patriots, 134–44

  penalties against, 48, 49–50

  people called Buddy by, xi

  personality changes in, 153–59, 168–69, 172–75, 189–91

  physique of, 22–23, 24–25

  on poor performance, 58–60

  pressures on, 186–87, 189–91

  religious life of, 20–21, 32, 88, 175

  restaurants owned by, xii, 74–76, 161–62, 174

  on safety rules, 174

  self-expectations of, 11–13, 46–47, 46–48, 52, 92–94

  suicide attempt by, 155–60, 190

  suicide of, x, 181–83

  surfing by, xi–xii, 42, 161, 178, 189

  teammates’ feelings about, 60–61, 72, 79, 84–87, 101, 126

  team minicamp skipped by, 84–87

  temper of/fighting by, 5–6, 10, 14–16, 22, 28–29, 32, 39–40, 45–47, 153–54

  as tight end, 98–99

  timing of, 104–5, 140

  trip to American Samoa, 3, 7–8

  trust issues of, 40

  TV career of, 143–44, 179

  at USC, 18–30

  women in the life of (See DeBoer, Gina; Noderer, Megan; Nolan, Mary; Waldrop, Melissa)

  work ethic of, 1–2, 47–48, 54, 69–70, 78–80, 91–94, 123, 129–30

  Seau, Tyler Christian (son), 30, 166–67, 169, 198

  Seay, Mark, 67

  Sehorn, Jason, 98

  Shop with a Jock, 90

  Simers, T. J., 59

  Singletary, Mike, 68

  Smith, Billy Ray, 40, 52

  Smith, Bruce, 104, 118

  Smith, Larry, 18, 19, 28–29

  Smith, Neil, 69

  Snyder, Dan, 112, 147

  Spanos, Alex, 57

  Spanos, Dean, 90, 111, 115, 133, 164, 182

  Sports Illustrated, 19, 21, 146

  Sports Jobs with Junior Seau, 143–44

  Stabb, Joey, 179–80

  Steeg, Jim, 131–32

  suicides, 188

  asking for help and, xii, xiii

  brain damage and, 152–53

  by Duerson, 182

  by Easterling, 182

  by Seau, x, 155–60, 181–85

  by Whitmarsh, 142–43

  zolpidem and, 172–73

  Sun Devil Stadium, 125–26

  Super Bowl, 2, 71, 73, 139–42

  surfing, xi–xii, 42, 161, 178, 189

  Surtain, Patrick, 121, 126

  Sweeney, Mike, 138

  T

  Tagliabue, Paul, 39

  Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 37–38, 39, 119

  Taylor, Aaron, 119–20, 131, 159–60, 188–89

  Taylor, Jason, 121, 146–47

  Taylor, Lawrence, 37, 68, 140

  television shows, 143–44, 179

  Thomas, Blair, 37, 126

  Thomas, Zach, 121

  Tinoisamoa, Pina, 90

  tobacco, chewing, 179

  Tollner, Ted, 18, 19

  Tomlinson, LaDainian, 113, 116, 124–25, 139, 186–87

  Townsend, Greg, 6
8

  track and field, 10, 12

  Turner, Michael, 140

  Tyree, David, 141

  U

  United Way Tocqueville Society, 88

  University of California, Los Angeles, 16–17

  University of California, San Diego, 44

 

‹ Prev