Choosing Sides: Will Junior Seau's 'unretirement' tarnish his legacy?

By: LOREN NELSON - Staff Writer | Monday, August 21, 2006 10:36 AM PDT ∞

Will Junior Seau's 'unretirement' tarnish his legacy?
By: MICHAEL KLITZING - Staff Writer

YES

Remember that episode of "Seinfeld" where Jerry and the gang buy a big-screen TV as a wedding present for The Drake, only to have the nuptials get called off? If any Chargers officials are surfing for late-night syndicated sitcoms any time soon, they'll no doubt be able to relate.

Hate The Drake!

Hate The Seau!

Junior Seau played the Chargers and their fans for fools last week by returning from "retirement" to sign with the New England Patriots not even a week after allowing the Bolts to give him a feel-good farewell bash. Instead of riding off gracefully into the sunset, the Oceanside High graduate decided to join an AFC foe that may well face the Chargers in the playoffs.

"I think that would be a delight for Rodney (Harrison) and I," Seau told reporters on Friday when asked about that scenario.

"It would make for a great story, anyway."

Yeah. Great.

Makes you wonder how long this story has been in the works. After welcoming Seau onto the grounds at Chargers Park on Monday, it might be wise for the Bolts to make sure all play books are accounted for.

While I'm sure the team's secrets are, in fact, secure, the Chargers did lose a whole lot of face in this fiasco.

Let's go back to that ceremony. The team brought in Dick Enberg and other dignitaries to toast the once-great linebacker, allowing him and his scores of local admirers to reach a point of closure. Here's guessing many of those same admirers now feel deceived.

The Chargers Hall of Fame even waived its waiting period to induct Seau into its ranks this year. That was supposed to happen at halftime of the Nov. 5 game against the Browns. Maybe now they can book Up With People or that Frisbee-catching dog as a replacement.

It's hard to rip a guy for wanting one last chance at securing a Super Bowl ring, so Seau's decision to take the Patriots up on their offer is perfectly acceptable. But it's the fact that he let the Chargers throw him an elaborate retirement bash when he hadn't ruled out playing elsewhere that is bound to ruffle some feathers.

Common courtesy would seem to necessitate a thank you and an apology from Seau to the Chargers and the fans he allowed to fawn all over him last week. Hasn't happened yet.

Word of warning Junior: Football fans have long memories. So do team executives, who don't take kindly to being made to look foolish.

Hope you enjoyed that ceremony. It'll be the last one you get around here for quite some time.

Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mklitzing@nctimes.com. To comment, go to nctimes.com.

No
It's fair to say the sincerity of the hugs and sobs, deep thoughts and heartfelt moments from Junior Seau's retirement party Monday can be questioned when, four days later, he agrees to play for the New England Patriots.

But 10 years from now, 10 weeks from now, 10 days from now, no one will remember or care about Seau's embarrassing end-around.

Seau's legacy will be just fine. All those sacks and tackles and Seau Salutes will stay in the archives.

Seau's plaque at the Pro Football Hall of Fame will not mention his four-day retirement, but it will say something about his intense desire and passion for football. Has anyone loved playing the game more than this guy? Jerry Rice, maybe.

Maybe I'm wrong, but Seau doesn't seem like the kind of kind of guy who spends a lot of time puttering in the garden or building tree forts for the kids. On Monday, he had no plan for life after football, saying only that it was time to move on and, "please pass another piece of that delicious farewell cake."

Before the desperate Patriots came calling, there wasn't a huge demand for the 37-year-old linebacker who has lost a step or two and whose once bulletproof body is starting to break down. New England figures it can coax a few more of those salutes out of Seau, so it made an offer. Of course he was going to say yes.

How many times did Michael Jordan retire? Twice? Three times? Or is he still playing Euro ball somewhere in Croatia? Does it matter? Michael Jordan is still Michael Jordan, no matter if his playing days ended on a gimpy knee with, of all teams, the lowly Washington Wizards.

Athletes retire and unretire all the time. Gordie Howe, Roger Clemens, insert name of any boxer here.

The rare superstar is the one who walks away and resists the tug to come back. Barry Sanders comes to mind. There are dozens of others. The greatest athletes always are remembered for what they accomplished on the field, not for how or when they retired. There is no stat for number of retirements. There's no extra credit for those who can keep it to one.

Through all of this, Seau comes off as a guy about as stable as a wheelbarrow loaded with nitroglycerine.

Unpredictable, volatile, scary to predict.

But really, shouldn't we have seen this coming? When Seau talked about a pursuing a higher calling, we should have guessed he was talking about Bill Belichick's cell phone.

So he's off to New England. To do what he has always done. To do what he loves. To play football.

Seau will retire again someday. Another chance to party with Oceanside's favorite son.

Who's bringing the cake?

Sports editor Loren Nelson can be reached at (760) 740-3551 or lnelson@nctimes.com. To comment, go to nctimes.com.

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12 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Bill wrote on Aug 23, 2006 11:09 AM:Hey, a buck's a buck. That's what its all about. It has very little to do with loyalty to a team, or a geographical region. Junior just happened to be lucky enough to play a large chunk of his career in his home town, he's no greater than any other football player just because of that happenstance. Because he chose the bucks simply tells us what it's all about: the money. Bill

Isaiah wrote on Aug 23, 2006 1:37 PM:Junior's been retired already for the past three years in the mind of most San Diego fans, so why should signing with the Pats change his legacy? He's out of sight, out of mind; who really watches what New England does outside of keeping an eye on the standings or watching some highlights? Who thinks of that ugly teal-green uniform when the think of 55? He was a star on a team full of duds for too many years for this to "tarnish" his legacy. By the way, Oceanside High football stinks...what's this division III nonsense all about anyway?

Frankie wrote on Aug 23, 2006 4:53 PM:Junior retired because no one wanted to sign him at the time. Circumstances changed with Bruschi getting hurt. He is a true professional who loves the game. The man plays with passion,is a team leader as well as a role model for many. I am very proud to say he is a hometown boy who is a great player and will be remembered that way! I wish him the very best with the Patriots. Maybe he will get the Super Bowl ring he deserves. Just wish he was still a Charger.

Pittsburgh wrote on Aug 23, 2006 11:49 PM:I understand that Junior Seau wants an opportunity to retire with a ring. However, it is painful to watch players that are the heart and soul of a team wearing another teams uniform. Being a Steelers fan, I have felt that sting often with Greg Lloyd, Kevin Green, Rod Woodson, and the list goes on. It sucks to see your team lose starts. It sucks worse that the star is a hometown kid. I respect Seau's career. I think he took the city for a ride. When it all comes down to it, I just hope he walks away disappointed this season because I hate the Patriots. Can I get an Amen?

BoltsRDolts wrote on Aug 24, 2006 7:21 AM:Hey, Boltheads will follow anyone who remotely appears to have a clue. So, no, it won't hurt his legacy -- as a self-promoting, egomaniacal boor. Chargers are bush-league, Seau is bush-league, Smith and Sh-tenheader are bush-league. Always were, always will be. This city wouldn't know a good sports team if it came up and tackled them in mid-field. Go Steelers!

BigB wrote on Aug 25, 2006 11:48 AM:Seau...Great Player, wrong team... for years and years... Compare the turmoil over the years than the Bolts have had to ...oh... lets say the Steelers! If Seau would have played on par with such great managment, ownership and coaching... He would be not only a football god, but would also be wearing a ring. San Diego should be greatful they had him for so long.... loyalty works both ways folks!

Sirsanto wrote on Aug 26, 2006 10:46 AM:Over-hyped egomaniac...passionate, yes...great linebacker, nah...way down the long list. Give me Merriman any day. In these days of hype and self-promotion statistics are the only criteria to judge...where does Jr. stand?...and who cares? And what was up with that press conference?

D Bo wrote on Aug 26, 2006 3:46 PM:He'll probably retire after this year anyways. If I was him and I was given the chance to play another year especially with the Pats, I'd do it.

Joe wrote on Aug 31, 2006 10:13 PM:Junior Seau was a good linebacker, was he the best in the NFL, NO!! He was a hometown boy who made good, that is all. There were linebackers with the Chargers during his term that had better stats during different years but you never heard about them. Junior is not on par with Ray Nitschke, Dick Butkus and others of their caliber. Junior knew he was talking to teams when he had his retirement party. So he just played San Diego. I like the Patriots but I hope they do not win a Superbowl with Junior.

Jr Seau wrote on Aug 2, 2007 7:15 AM:He is a great guy! I live in SD and from New England. I love 55. He is a stand up guy on and off the field! Keep up the the great work Jr. Signed the Flatfoot from Oceanside! A real hero he is! Number 55 Jr Seau! One of the greatest!

Seau is a hero! wrote on Aug 2, 2007 7:18 AM:Hometown kid who makes it good! He is now a man, who has done so much for a community, his hometown of Oceanside, the County of San Diego and State of California. He is respected by his peers across the nation as he comes to the fall season of his career! He is also a great person as well. No many can say that! He is part of his community and also a great ball player! A great combination!

errol wrote on Nov 7, 2007 4:40 AM:Jr. Seau has to be one of the greatest linebackers from the college level to the pros. He loves the game so much, he had to take up Coach Belichik's offer. Who in their right mind would not.....especially if you got the talent and desire to continue following your dream! Jr., I'm from Hawaii and I've followed you for a long time. Keep up the good work! Oh, and a big mahalo for allowing my daughter and her crew at the Hyatt Spa in Waikiki to take your picture. We hope all is well with your family in San Diego. Errol

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