Junior Seau buried in hometown

 

Junior Seau buried in hometown

"He was a good and loyal friend," said former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson, who drew some of the biggest cheers of the night as he spoke of Seau. "Notice the words I said: good and loyal."

Chargers president Dean Spanos made official what many had known since Seau left after the 2002 season, that No. 55 will never be worn by another Chargers player.

Among those attending were Seau's parents, his ex-wife and their children, several current and former Chargers, and former rival John Elway. Elway, who now runs Denver's front office, was accompanied by new Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and coach John Fox, a former assistant with San Diego.

Seau's No. 55 was painted at midfield.
"No doubt this is a tragedy," Fouts said. "A tragedy for the community of San Diego, for Chargers fans and football fans everywhere. And with all tragedies, there are lessons to be learned, lessons that must be learned by all of us. The lesson here is, if you need help, get help. It's out there. All you have to do is swallow your pride and ask for it. We all need help at times. We can all do a better job of helping each other."

Former teammate Billy Ray Smith, a fellow linebacker, told the crowd: "I want to make sure you know, Junior Seau loved you guys; loved you all. I'm real sure that you loved No. 55 as well. Is that correct? He was a great friend a great teammate and I will miss him forever. Rest in peace."

Bobby Ross, the only coach to get the Chargers to the Super Bowl, told a Seau "bounty" story from the 1990s, when Stan Humphries was throwing long passes during pregame warmups near the stands. One of the Raiders fans was dressed up in a garish football outfit that included shoulder pads and a helmet.

"I said, `Stan, what the hell's going on?"' Ross said. "And he said, `I've got to tell you, coach, Junior told me if I hit that guy in the stands, he'd give me $1,000."'

Ross recalled Seau's many charitable contributions to the community.

"I don't believe there's a player who played in the National Football League who has done for a city what Junior Seau has done for San Diego," Ross said.

Sources:
sportsillustrated.cnn