San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. Photo credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
This NFL Hall of Fame spotlight focuses on the legendary linebacker Junior Seau, who spent his better years playing for the San Diego Chargers. He was the true definition of an instinctive and aggressive player. His style of play earned him the nickname, “Tasmanian Devil.” Even in death, Seau’s achievements continue to speak for him.
In this article, we’ll capture everything that made Seau more than deserving of a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Humble Beginnings
On January 19, 1969, Seau was born into a home that wasn’t exactly on the positive side of wealth. Growing up, he and his brothers had to sleep in the family’s one-car garage. But that setback made Seau even more determined to bring honor to his family name.
He played football, basketball, and track and field at Oceanside High School. Getting into the University of Southern California with a not-so-great score, Seau couldn’t play football in his freshman year. But his determination to be the best never wavered.
In his final college year, he was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. And, that was the perfect response to his doubters. In the 1990 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected him in the first round as the fifth overall draft pick.
Professional Football Career
Seau had a bolstering start to life in the NFL. He started 15 of the 16 games he played in his rookie season, registering 85 combined tackles. His exploits helped him finish third in the voting for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
But beyond his exploits on the field, Seau’s flair for success had made him a popular player in the dressing room. Many admired his playing style, and it was simply impossible to keep him out of the roster. Whenever he was on the field of play, he was relentless, ferocious and passionate. It is safe to say that the least lucky person on the gridiron was the one on the receiving end of Seau’s bone-crushing tackles.
The years that followed Seau’s rookie season were laced with even better performances. And of course, better performances meant more honors. One of those honors was making the Pro Bowl 12 consecutive times. In 1992, Seau received the George Halas Trophy as the NFL’s top defensive player. However, he ranked number two in the AP rankings—which still drove home the fact that he was a rock on defense.
Super Bowl Appearance
In 1994, Seau and the Chargers had perhaps one of their greatest years in NFL history. Seau recorded a career-high 124 solo tackles. He also made his third consecutive First-team All-Pro.
His stand-out presence on defense led the Chargers to their first AFC title. In the AFC Championship Game that year, Seau proved that he could play in health and in pain. He played the game with a pinched nerve in his neck. It was unarguably one of the greatest games of his career. His rock-solid performance in defense helped the Chargers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were clear favorites.
The Chargers, however, ran out of luck in Super Bowl XXIX. With a team led by legends like Steve Young and Jerry Rice, the San Francisco 49ers were heavy favorites, and eventually won dominantly. Though the Chargers lost, Seau had a commanding performance in the game. He brought down Young with a thunderous sack for a four-yard loss.
Thriving Against All Odds
The Chargers didn’t have many great years afterward, but Seau continued to shine. He showed excellent leadership and was always ready to take one for the team.
The 2000 season was perhaps the lowest of all lows for the Chargers. They finished with a forgettable 1-15 record. But Seau didn’t lose his bright spark. His efforts got rewarded with yet another AP First-team All-Pro. The NFL Alumni Association also named him as their linebacker of the year.
In 2002, he suffered an alleged injury that made him miss his final Pro Bowl. The Chargers traded him to the Miami Dolphins in 2003 for a conditional draft choice.
Miami Dolphins
Seau showed his stuff in his first season with the Dolphins. He quickly became one of the best defensive players on the roster. He recorded 96 combined tackles and was only behind Zack Thomas and Sammy Knight in that category.
However, his remaining two seasons in Miami were plagued by injuries. The Dolphins were forced to release him in 2006. The New England Patriots signed Seau as a free agent that same year.
New England Patriots
In the Patriots’ shirt, Seau, as is his nature, gave everything to see to the team’s success. His impact was felt right from the first season there.
In 2007, he and the Patriots recorded an undefeated season. Seau’s abilities were also instrumental in the two playoff games in which he featured.
Ferocious, Relentless, Ruthless
Seau’s mere presence on the gridiron was enough to weary any opponent’s offense. He was never shy of launching into tackles.
In an interview after his retirement, he said, “You should never incentivize anyone’s health in the game of football. That is wrong. But to strike your will on another player in hopes that the player quits on you and allows you to do what you need to do at your pace — that’s the name of the game, to have your guy surrender. And once he surrenders, you don’t stomp on him; you go on to the next guy.”
Even when injured, he was ever willing to keep going. He drew the curtains on his amazing career on January 13, 2010. Throughout his 20-season career, he recorded a total of 18 interceptions, 56.5 sacks, and 1,847 combined tackles.
Career Accolades
Seau was a defensive icon with numerous honors to his name. He made 12 Pro Bowl selections. He also made six First-team All-Pro and three Second-team All-Pro selections.
In 1992, Football Digest honored Seau as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. That year, he also won the George Halas Award by the NEA.
Seau emerged as the Chargers’ Most Valuable Player six times. He also earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1990s.
Seau was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame posthumously in 2015.
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