Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve Its History, Promote Its Values & Celebrate Excellence Everywhere
LB
(Southern California)...6'3'', 250...First round pick in 1990 NFL Draft … All-Pro eight times … Named to 12 Pro Bowls … Recorded 56.5 career sacks, 18 interceptions … Recorded 10 or more tackles in a game 64 times … NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1992 … In 1994 helped lead Chargers to first Super Bowl … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1990s … Born January 19, 1969 in San Diego, California … Died May 2, 2012, at the age of 43.
Championship Games
1994 AFC – San Diego Chargers 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 13 Seau started at inside linebacker. He had 12 tackles, four assists and one pass defensed. 2006 AFC – Indianapolis Colts 38, New England Patriots 34 Seau was not active for this game. 2007 AFC – New England Patriots 21, San Diego Chargers 12 Seau started at inside linebacker. He had three tackles, three assists one sack and two quarterback hurries.
Super Bowls
Super Bowl XXIX – San Francisco 49ers 49, San Diego Chargers 26 Seau started at inside linebacker. He had nine tackles, two assists and one sack. Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 Seau played at inside linebacker. He had two tackles in the game.
All-League Teams
All-Pro: 1991 (NEA) • 1992 (AP, PFWA, SN, NEA) • 1993 (AP, PFWA, SN) • 1994 (AP, PFWA, SN) • 1995 (PFWA, SN) • 1996 (AP, SN) • 1998 (AP, PFWA) • 2000 (AP, PFWA, SN)
All-Pro Second Team: 1995 (AP) • 1997 (AP) • 1999 (AP)
All-AFC: 1992 (UPI, PW) • 1993 (UPI, PW) • 1994 (UPI, PW) • 1995 (UPI, PW) • 1996 (UPI) • 1997 (PW) • 2000 (PW)
Pro Bowls
(12) – 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003*
* Did not play
In the NFL Record Book
Pro Bowl Records
• [Tied for 1st] Most Interceptions Returned for Touchdown, Game – 1 (1993) • [Tied for 2nd] Most Games Played, Career – 11
Team Records
Chargers records held by Seau (Records through the 2002 season, Seau's final season with San Diego)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Games, Career – 200 • [3rd] Most Seasons, Career – 13
Postseason Records
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Interceptions, Game – 1 (vs. Indianapolis, Dec. 31, 1995) • [Tied for 3rd] Most Interceptions, Career – 1
League/Team Statistical Titles
Team Statistical Championships Sack Titles: 1996, 1997 Tackle Titles: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999
Awards and Honors
• NFL All-Decade Team of 1990s • 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
Full Name: Tiaina Seau, Jr.
Birthdate: January 19, 1969
Birthplace: San Diego, California Died: May 2, 2012
High School: Oceanside (CA) Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: January 31, 2015 Other Members of the Class of 2015: Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Charles Haley, Bill Polian, Will Shields, Mick Tingelhoff, Ron Wolf
Pro Career: 20 seasons, 268 games
Drafted: 1st round (5th player overall) of 1990 draft by the San Diego Chargers
Uniform Number: 55
Sydney Seau’s comments following the Enshrinement of her father THE MODERATOR: Sydney, players play to get to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. What would your father say at a time like this? SYDNEY SEAU: I think my father would be completely overwhelmed and honored to be inducted into a class with the most elite athletes and professionals. First and foremost, he would thank the seven buddies out on stage with him tonight. I know this isn't my speech to give. This is his. He spent 20 years with them in the league, and he deserves this moment. All I can do is humbly attempt the people within his life and career that made this induction possible. First and foremost, that's my Nana and Papa, my grandparents. His parents. They were everything to him [Applause]. They taught him the true meaning of love, family, how to present one's self, how to respect one's culture and selflessness. And I know for a fact that he would say that this honor is also yours along with the rest of our Seau family. I'm sorry. I'm just emotional. I know he would thank every team, teammate, fan, the community of San Diego and the Chargers for the career of a lifetime. You guys are everything to him. Without you, he wouldn't have become the player that he was, and I thank you as well. He is the first Polynesian and Samoan to make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and that is an accomplishment in itself. He is proof that even a young boy from Oceanside can make his dreams a reality. Although he is the first to make it into the Hall, I know for a fact that he won't be the last. And that says something. One of his biggest accomplishments in my mind was being able to give back to the community through the Junior Seau Foundation, that is where his true legacy lies is in that foundation, giving back to the community that gave him everything. Dad, you gave us your time, your presence, your love, but most of all you gave us your heart, and I know at times it seemed as if everything you accomplished in life wasn't enough, but today and every day since you've held me in your arms for the first time, you were more than just enough. You were everything. And I hope this induction can exemplify the fact that you are more than just Junior Seau, number 55 and a buddy. You are a light, and I want nothing more than to see you come on stage, give the speech you were meant to give, give me a hug and tell me you love me one last time; but that isn't our reality. And I know that his athleticism and talent made him extraordinary enough to make it into the Hall, but it is his passion and heart that make him truly legendary and deserving of this tremendous honor, and I would just like to thank my family and everyone else for all their support through this process. Dad, I love you, and I miss you, congratulations. You made it. THE MODERATOR: Sydney Seau, thank you very much.