NAME:
Tiaina Baul Junior Seau
BIRTHPLACE:
Oceanside, California
KNOWN FOR:
NFL player, businessman and philanthropist. He was owner of Seau’s The Restaurant and Say-Ow Gear, a ten-time All-Pro and 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and a Pro Football Hall of Famer Class of 2015.
SHORT BIO / CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Junior studied at the University of Southern California (USC). He 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, playing 15 of the 16 games during his rookie season.
1989 – Voted unanimous first-team All-America at University of Southern California
Named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1990’s
1992 – Junior started an organization developed to help out kids who, like Seau, didn’t always have the best opportunities growing up. The foundation’s purpose is “to educate and empower young people through the support of child abuse prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, recreational opportunities, anti-juvenile delinquency efforts and complimentary educational programs.”
1992 NFL Defensive Player of the Year (UPI, Football Digest)
1993 – Chargers Most Valuable Player
1994 – Walter Payton/NFL Man of the Year
1994 – AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 1)
1996 – AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Weeks 5, 10)
1997 – Chargers Most Valuable Player
1997 – Chargers Most Inspirational Player
1998 – Chargers Most Valuable Player
1998 – Chargers Defensive Player of the Year
1998 – NFL Defensive Player of the Year (Football Digest)
1999 – Chargers Most Valuable Player
1999 – Chargers Defensive Player of the Year
2000 – Chargers Most Valuable Player
2001 – Chargers Most Valuable Player
2002 – Chargers Most Inspirational Player
2002 – AFC Defensive Player of the Month (September)
2003 – Don Shula Leadership Award
2004 – Don Shula Leadership Award
2010 – January 13, Junior announced his retirement for a second time on the television program Inside the NFL
2011- Inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame.
2015 – Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015.