Junior Seau retires

[eSDee]

My favorite football player of all time retired on Monday, after 16 years in the NFL. He was the greatest defensive football player to ever wear the Chargers jersey, making the Pro Bowl 12 times during his tenure. I had the great pleasure to meet Mr. Junior Seau when I was in the Army at a Hard Rock Cafe in Berlin. I had driven 13 hours from my base to watch the Chargers play at the preseason game against the Giants. Although the Chargers lost, my sadness was wiped away when I got to shake hands and speak to Junior after the game at the Hard Rock. That day I realized he was and still is an incredible person, never forgetting the little person and truly caring for the community from which he came from. He came from the same tough barrio as my dad, the barrio "posole" in Oceanside California. He has always loved this city and gave back everything he could. Even though his career as a player is over, I am sure that his work is not done. He continues to be a role model in San Diego. For me, it is one time that I can say that I actually look up to a professional athlete. He is a dying breed of player, one who cares about his teammates and family much much more than himself. I wish him all the best in his future, and I hope that he makes it into the Hall of Fame really soon.

To Junior Seau :cheers:

http://sdlocals.com/images/seau1.jpg

http://sdlocals.com/images/seau2.jpg

http://sdlocals.com/images/seau3.jpg

[DarkFury]

Enjoy your retirement Junior "Make'em" Seau :D

[TofuNinja]

Did he retire a Charger in one of those one day contracts?

[Sirrich3]

I know he did by heart! He was a great player for them

[eSDee]

Did he retire a Charger in one of those one day contracts?

Yep.

[TofuNinja]

that's sweet man.... I am not a charger fan, but as a football fan He was by far ALWAYS a Charger... just like Ronnie Lott and Joe Montana were always Niners even if they did wear a different jersey

[GraingerGuy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2553051

Or not...


Junior Seau may not be retiring after all. According to a report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, two league sources confirmed that Seau will meet with the New England Patriots this week and could sign a deal with the team.


Seau

The Patriots have suffered losses at the linebacker position because of injuries and free agency. Middle linebacker is particularly thin, as starter Tedy Bruschi and backups Monty Beisel and Freddie Roach are all fighting injuries.

Seau announced his retirement Monday, saying that he didn't feel there were any teams that needed his services.

"It's pretty easy. When a team doesn't want you or need you, retire, buddy," the 12-time Pro Bowl selection told The Associated Press.

Before that news conference, though, Seau said he was physically capable to continue playing in the NFL, despite the injuries that hampered him during the last two seasons in Miami.

"I'm healthy, I can play and there are teams out there that had interest, but they just didn't need [me]," Seau told the AP. "They wanted me, but they didn't need me. I'm not a player than can play by just wanting to play the game. I'm a guy that needs to win, and they go hand in hand."

The Patriots certainly offer the prospect of winning with three Super Bowl championships in the last five years to their credit.

Seau declined to comment to the Union-Tribune on Thursday but the Chargers released a statement confirming that Seau left a message for team President Dean Spanos regarding his plans to meet with the Patriots.

The 12-time Pro Bowler played the first 13 years of his career with San Diego. He spent the last three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, who released him last March to save $2.1 million under the salary cap.

Last year, Seau, 37, played in just seven games before suffering an Achilles tendon injury in a 22-0 loss at Cleveland on Nov. 24. He finished with 43 tackles, one sack and two passes defensed.

In 2004, Seau started eight games for Miami before suffering a torn pectoral muscle.

Seau was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 1990s and was named to the Pro Bowl 12 straight years from 1992-2003.

In helping the Chargers upset the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1994 AFC Championship Game, Seau spread his 16 tackles from the first play to the next-to-last one despite a pinched nerve in his neck. His interceptions and fumble recoveries sometimes led to reckless returns, and one of his wildest was a pickoff of John Elway that saved a 37-34 win in the 1994 opener at Denver.

After an All-American career at Southern California, Seau was selected by San Diego fifth overall in the 1990 draft.

[RIVERWIDOW]

According to the mighty 1090 radio he is on his way to New England tonight. Looking to finalize a 1 year million $ contract. :cheers:

[Sirrich3]

Oh brother another player getting attention..retiring...and then coming back??????!!!!!!!

[guiseppewv]

NO, not the Patty Cakes. I like Junior and he will always be a Charger as far as I am concerned but I am going to like him less if he plays for New England.

[MikeD]

Ehh, $1 million for a year isn't a bad shot on NE's part...not much of a risk. But how much gas is left in the tank? Probably not much, and he probably won't make a difference.

[sizemic1]

So much for the framed card from his son asking him to retire......

[TofuNinja]

heh would be nice to see him get a Super Bowl Ring though......

[guiseppewv]

He isn't going to get a SB ring in NE.

Oh well, I guess it could be worse.....he could be going to play for Dallas. :P

[guiseppewv]

Edit: Somehow I double posted. Sorry bout that.

[TofuNinja]

ummm where did he get the Super Bowl Ring? I thought his only visit to the Bowl was when the Niners creamed the Chargers.....

[guiseppewv]

Sorry didn't mean to imply that he had a SB ring just wanted to say that he won't be getting one in NE. :) I believe 95 is the only time he made it to the SB.

Edit: I checked NFL.com and 1995 is the only time he went to the SB.

[TofuNinja]

no worries. It would be good to see him with a ring though... but I do not like the Patriots...