by Jim Trotter
Other Sources
Chris Dufresne, “Junior Seau’s Brief, Ferocious Career at USC Is Recalled,” Los Angeles Times, May 3, 2012.
4. FERDINAND THE LINEBACKER
Author’s Interviews
Steve Feldman, Gina Seau, Melissa Waldrop, Annette Seau, and Mary Seau.
5. DREAM TURNED NIGHTMARE
Author’s Interviews
Sid Brooks, Burt Grossman, Billy Devaney, Bobby Beathard, Steve Feldman, Dave Pearson, John Clayton, Dan Henning, Tiaina Seau, Mary Seau, and Gina Seau.
6. “I’VE GOT TO GET BETTER”
Author’s Interviews
Steve Wisniewski, Gill Byrd, Leslie O’Neal, Vencie Glenn, Keoki Kamau, Dan Henning, Steve Feldman, Gina Seau, Burt Grossman, Mary Seau, and Martin Mayhew.
Other Sources
Clark Judge, “Seau Takes More Shots at McCants,” Evening Tribune, October 25, 1990.
Letters to the editor, San Diego Union, September 9, 1990, and September 16, 1990.
T. J. Simers, “He Fights On: Junior Seau Uses Memories of Being Treated as Outsider at USC as Inspiration in NFL,” Los Angeles Times, September 1, 1991.
7. THE TURNAROUND
Author’s Interviews
Dan Henning, Chris Fore, Gina Seau, Burt Grossman, John Fox, Billy Devaney, and Orlando Ruff.
Other Sources
Tom Krasovic, “Seau Is Still a Fan, Keeps Returning to Football Roots,” San Diego Union, November 2, 1991.
Junior Seau journals.
T. J. Simers, “He Fights On: Junior Seau Uses Memories of Being Treated as Outsider at USC as Inspiration in NFL,” Los Angeles Times, September 1, 1991.
T. J. Simers, “Analysis: A Hard Start to Ross’ Reign,” Los Angeles Times, October 2, 1992.
8. SUPER FOLD
Author’s Interviews
Gina Seau, Keoki Kamau, Tiaina Seau, and Luisa Seau.
Other Sources
Kevin Kernan, “Local Boy Seau Makes Good on His NFL Goal,” San Diego Union-Tribune, January 16, 1995.
Kevin Kernan, “To Win, Seau Will Have to Work 2 Jobs,” San Diego Union-Tribune, January 28, 1995.
9. CHEATING . . . IN BUSINESS AND MATRIMONY
Author’s Interviews
Junior Seau, Billy Devaney, Gina Seau, Dale Yahnke, Keoki Kamau, Annette Seau, and Mary Seau.
Other Sources
Junior Seau journals.
Kevin Kernan, “To Win, Seau Will Have to Work 2 Jobs,” San Diego Union-Tribune, January 28, 1995.
Jim Trotter, “Seau Has to Adjust to Forced Inactivity,” San Diego Union-Tribune, August 7, 1997.
Jim Trotter, “Not Pretty, but a Win,” San Diego Union-Tribune, September 8, 1997.
Jim Trotter, “Bottled Inside, Seau Frustrated by Lack of Rush,” San Diego Union-Tribune, September 25, 1997.
10. THE ANTI-LEAF
Author’s Interviews
Junior Seau, Bobby Beathard, Billy Devaney, Rodney Harrison, Mike Riley, Paul Chryst, Terrell Fletcher, June Jones, Gina Seau, Bette Hoffman, Pisa Tinoisamoa, and Joe Pascale.
Other Sources
Jim Trotter, “A Miffed Seau Is Workout No-Show,” San Diego Union-Tribune, June 10, 1998.
11. “MY HEAD IS ON FIRE!”
Author’s Interviews
Junior Seau, Mike Riley, Joe Pascale, Paul Chryst, Orlando Ruff, Derrick Brooks, Billy Devaney, Peyton Manning, Bill Belichick, Gina Seau, and Fred McCrary.
Other Sources
Junior Seau journals.
Jim Trotter, “Chargers Preseason, Chiefs Burst Hopes for a First Win,” San Diego Union-Tribune, September 4, 1999.
12. THE TRADE
Author’s Interviews
Junior Seau, Marty Schottenheimer, Dean Spanos, Drew Brees, Orlando Ruff, Rodney Harrison, Buddy Nix, Bette Hoffman, Randall Godinet, June Jones, Marvin Demoff, Liba Placek, and Aaron Taylor.
Other Sources
“Speaking of Seau” (compiled by staff writers), San Diego Union-Tribune, March 15, 2003.
13. HELLO, SOUTH BEACH
Author’s Interviews
Junior Seau, LaDainian Tomlinson, Peyton Manning, Antonio Gates, Nick Saban, and Dan Quinn.
Other Sources
Jay Posner, “Some Not Pleased by LT’s Tribute to Seau,” San Diego Union-Tribune, October 23, 2003.
Ethan Skolnick, “Seau’s Presence Sticks Out,” Sun Sentinel, May 3, 2003.
Jim Trotter, “Scrutiny to Come with Seau Visit,” San Diego Union-Tribune, October 24, 2003.
14. THE GRADUATION
Author’s Interviews
Junior Seau, Marvin Demoff, Bette Hoffman, Jim Steeg, Dean Spanos, Aaron Taylor, Bill Belichick, Mary Seau, Ronnie Lott, Tedy Bruschi, Dean Pees, Liba Placek, John Lynch, and James Velasco.
Other Sources
WEEI Radio, Boston.
Greg Garber, “Seau Hoping 18th Season Yields the Promised Ring,” ESPN.com, January 29, 2008.
15. “THIS IS NOT WHO I WANT TO BE”
Author’s Interviews
Junior Seau, Dean Pees, Steve Wisniewski, Ronnie Lott, Gina Seau, Bette Hoffman, Luisa Seau, Annette Seau, Rev. Benson Mauga, Aaron Taylor, Terrell Fletcher, Melissa Waldrop, and Dale Yahnke.
Other Sources
Sam Farmer, “Marcellus Wiley Joins Painkiller Lawsuit Against NFL,” Los Angeles Times, June 5, 2014.
Nate Jackson, “League of Denial, on Concussions in the NFL, by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru,” Washington Post, November 22, 2013.
Dan Le Betard, “Jason Taylor’s Pain Shows NFL’s World of Hurt,” January 13, 2013.
Marcellus Wiley, ESPN.com and Associated Press, June 5, 2014.
Jill Lieber-Steeg, “Junior Seau: Bitter End Game,” San Diego Union-Tribune, October 21, 2012.
Nathaniel Penn, “The Violent Life and Sudden Death of Junior Seau,” GQ, September 2013.
16. HIGH POINT, LOW MOMENT
Author’s Interviews
Gina Seau, Sydney Seau, Jake Seau, Bette Hoffman, Chargers staff, Megan Noderer, Melissa Waldrop, and James Velasco.
Other Sources
Jill Lieber-Steeg, “Junior Seau: Song of Sorrow,” San Diego Union-Tribune, October 14, 2012.
Matt Potter, “Say It Ain’t Seau,” San Diego Reader, March 6, 1997.
17. “I KNEW HE WAS GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME WITH LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL”
Author’s Interviews
June Jones, Gina Seau, Mary Seau, Annette Seau, Rodney Harrison, Megan Noderer, Mike Norris, and Joey Stabb.
Other Sources
Sam Farmer, “The Junior Seau No One Knew,” Los Angeles Times, May 5, 2012.
David Leon Moore and Erik Brady, “Junior Seau’s Final Days Plagued by Sleepless Nights,” USA Today, June 2, 2012.
18. “9-1-1 EMERGENCY”
Author’s Interviews
Megan Noderer, Gina Seau, Bette Hoffman, Annette Seau, Mary Seau, Leonard Mata, LaDainian Tomlinson, Orlando Ruff, Rodney Harrison, Aaron Taylor, and Fred McCrary.
Other Sources
San Diego police report, May 15, 2012.
9-1-1 call from Megan Norderer to Oceanside Police Department, May 2, 2012.
“Junior Seau: Complete Coverage,” San Diego Union-Tribune, May 3, 2012, available at: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/sports/chargers-nfl/junior-seau/.
19. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Author’s Interviews
Tiaina Seau, Luisa Seau, Annette Seau, Sydney Seau, Jake Seau, Gina Seau, Bette Hoffman, Hunter Seau, Mary Seau, Liba Placek.
Other Sources
Hunter Seau, “Life Is Valuable,” Fall 2014.
EPILOGUE
Author’s Interviews
Gina Seau, Sydney Seau, Jake Seau, Bette Hoffman, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and Paul Chryst.
Index
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
addictions, x
alcohol, 106, 108–9, 119–20, 131, 159–60, 172�
�73, 185, 186, 190–91
gambling, 108–9, 161–63, 174, 175
AFC Championship Game, 70–72, 142
Alan Parsons Project, 75
alcohol abuse, 106, 108–9, 119–20, 131, 154, 159–60, 172–73, 185, 186, 190–91
All-America team, 29
Allen, Marcus, 9, 29, 76, 77
All-Pro, 104
Alworth, Lance, 63
Alzheimer’s disease, 151, 153
Ambien, 172–73
American College Test (ACT), 19
American Samoa, 3, 7–8
Andersen, Morten, 197
Andrews, James, 147
April, Bobby, 25–26, 28
Arizona State University, 16, 17, 27–28
Atlanta Falcons, 36–37, 42–43, 55, 135, 152
Aukuso, Rocky, 9
Aunese, Sal, 7, 8, 17, 193
Auwae, Jay Michael, 162–63
B
Baltimore Ravens, 102–3, 144
Barone, Jim, 190
Bayless, Martin, 52
Beathard, Bobby, 38, 57, 64
contract negotiations with, 41–44
Jones and, 94–95
Leaf and, 83–84
Riley and, 96–97
Ross and, 77
on skipped team minicamp, 85
Belcher, Jovan, 188
Belichick, Bill, xi, 134, 135, 140, 141, 142, 144
Bellagio casino, 162, 175
Benson, Cedric, 137
Bernardi, Gary, 18, 19
Bettis, Jerome, 197
Bieniemy, Eric, 63
Blake, Jeff, 101
Boston University School of Medicine, 152
Brady, Tom, 139, 140, 141, 142
brain damage, x, 109–10, 151–53, 185–86, 188
Branch, Deion, 134–45
Breakfast Club, 91–92, 100
Brees, Drew, xii, 112–13, 116, 126
Brooks, Derrick, 100–101, 106
Brooks, Sid, 36, 70
Broussard, Steve, 55
Brown, Tim, 197
Browner, Joey, 26
Bruschi, Tedy, 135, 136–37, 141
Buffalo Bills, 111
Burros, Plaxico, 141
Bush, George W., 2
Butler, John, 109, 111–12, 114–15
Butts, Marion, 64
Byrd, Dennis, 37
Byrd, Gill, 43, 47, 123
C
Caesars Palace, 162
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), 36
California State Track and Field Meet, 10
Campbell, Earl, 105
Camp Pendleton, 2, 11
Cancun, 42, 43
Carney, John, 55, 185
Carrier, Mark, 18–19, 22, 26–27, 28–29
Cassel, Matt, 142
Chao, David, 149, 194
Chrebet, Wayne, 127
Christopher, Bill, 6
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), 152–53, 185–86
Chryst, Paul, 106, 198
Cincinnati Bengals, 48, 71
Cocozzo, Joe, 69
Conklin, Cary, 26
Connect Four, 5
Cooper, John, 14
Coryell, Don, 64, 197
Crowder, Channing, 127
D
Dallas Cowboys, 37
Davis, Al, xii, 139
Davis, Mark, xii
Davis, Reuben, 69
Davis, Terrell, 9, 197
Davis, Willie, 59
Dean, Fred, 132
DeBoer, Gina (wife), 31–35, 71–72, 86, 198
after Seau’s suicide attempt, 156–57, 159
cheating on/breakup with, 82, 87–88, 106–8
children born to, 68, 106–7
communication with Seau, 160–61
family conflict with, 34–35, 81–82
fired from Chargers, 43
hamstring injury of, 165
on injuries, 150
marriage of to Seau, 34–35
Ring of Honor ceremony and, 169
Seau’s respect for, 182
on Seau’s work ethic, 47–48
trip to Cancun, 42, 43
dementia, 151–53
Demoff, Marvin, 116, 134, 144
DeNormandie Award, 56
Denver Broncos, 59, 66–67, 164
depression, 120, 151–53, 158, 168, 169, 186, 190
Ambien and, 172–73
Devaney, Billy, ix, xiii, 38, 86–87, 103
Ditka, Mike, 78
Doleman, Chris, 26
Donahue, Joshua, 184
Donahue, Terry, 16–17
Duerson, Dave, 152, 182, 185–86, 188
Dungy, Tony, 197
E
Easterling, Ray, 152, 182, 185–86, 188
Edwards, Donnie, 113, 123, 124
Elder, Donnie, 52
Elway, John, 67
Encarnacion, Glenn, 185
ESPN.com, 151
Evans, Vince, 63
Everett, Jim, 84
F
Faulk, Marshall, 105–6
Feldman, Steve, 31, 32, 38, 42, 43, 47
55 Club, 29–30
Figaro, Cedric, 48
First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Oceanside, 20–21, 34–35
Fletcher, Simon, 69
Fletcher, Terrell, 148
Florence, Drayton, 140
Flutie, Doug, 112
Football News, 27
Fore, Chris, 56–57
Foster, Barry, 71
Fouts, Dan, 36, 63, 64
Fox, John, 61
Freezer Bowl, The, 71
Friesz, John, 58
Frito-Lay, 72
Frontline, 153
Fuller, William, 79
G
gambling, 108–9, 161–63, 174, 175
Gang Busters program, 90
Garcia, Jimmy, 184
George, Jeff, 37
Gibbs, Joe, 96
Gibson, Dennis, 68–69, 71
Gifford, Frank, 29–30
Gilbert, Gale, 84
Gilbride, Kevin, 77–78, 84–85, 91
Gillette, John W., Jr., 74–76, 161
Godinet, Randall, 116–17
Golding, Susan, 75
golf tournaments, 89, 100, 107, 116–17, 172, 174, 178–79
Goodell, Roger, 145, 150, 152–53, 174, 188
Gordon, Steve, 28
Gouveia, Kurt, 78, 84
Green, Darrell, 40
Green, Jacob, 37
Greene, Kevin, 197
Griggs, David, 68–69
Grossman, Burt, 39–40, 52, 58, 59–60, 62–63
Gruden, Jon, 119
Gwynn, Tony, 118–19
Gym, The, 175
H
Haley, Charles, 197
Hall, Courtney, 69
Hall of Fame, 164–66, 197–99
Haluchak, Mike, 39, 53–54
Harbaugh, Jim, 84, 98, 99
Harris, Greg, 76
Harris, Napoleon, 138–39
Harrison, Marvin, 197
Harrison, Rodney, 91, 92, 115, 118, 132, 141
on failure to help Seau, 189–91
in Pro Bowl, 123
on surfing, xi, 178
Hartsuyker, Craig, 22, 25, 27
Henning, Dan, 38–39, 46, 57
Hoffman, Bette, 88–90, 117, 154–55, 183, 198
Hoffman, Trevor, 138
Holt, Leroy, 24
Horn, Joe, 101
Hostetler, Jeff, 147–48
Humphries, Stan, 58, 66–67, 69, 84
Hunter Steakhouse, 178
I
Indianapolis Colts, 36–37, 84
Integrated Sports International, 72
J
Jackson, John, 27
Jackson, Nate, 151–52
Jackson, Rickey, 73
Jackson, Tom, 198
Jacksonville Jaguars, 78, 139
Jammer, Quentin, 113
Jaroncyk, Ryan, 75
Jefferson, John, 63, 132
Jefferson, Shawn
, 67
Johnson, Jimmy, 197
Joiner, Charlie, 64
Jones, June, 91, 94–95, 118, 174–75
Jordan, Michael, 74
Junior Seau Foundation, 57, 72, 88–90
K
Kamau, Keoki, 46–47, 70, 79
Kansas City Chiefs, 55, 57, 59, 64, 77, 98–99, 102, 112
Kemp, Jack, 132
Kennedy, Cortez, 37
Klein, Gene, 132
Kraft, Robert, 142, 182
Kramer, Erik, 84, 98
L
Leaf, Ryan, 83–84, 86–87, 90–94, 97–98
Leber, Ben, 123, 124
Le Betard, Dan, 146–47
Lee, Shawn, 69
Leno, Jay, 102
Letterman, David, 102
Lewis, Ray, 103
“Life Is Valuable” (Seau), 194–96
Lloyd, Greg, 75
Los Angeles Coliseum, 45
Los Angeles Raiders, 45, 63, 71
Los Angeles Times, 27, 51, 54, 59, 149–50
Lott, Ronnie, 29, 118, 132–33
Love, Duval, 75
Lowe, Paul, 63
Lowery, Nick, 59
Lynch, John, 197
Lynn, Ron, 38–39, 61
M
Manning, Archie, 83
Manning, Eli, 141
Manning, Peyton, 83, 84, 104–5
Marino, Dan, 64
Mata, Leonard, 186