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Crowning glory: Patriots' Seau must beat his old team to grab elusive Super Bowl ring
By: SCOTT BAIR - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- Junior Seau has always been a Chargers fan.
He idolized the team as an adolescent in North County and became a diehard follower as the years went on.
Seau got a rare chance to play in the arena of his idols after leading Oceanside High to the CIF San Diego Section championship in 1986. That trip to what is now Qualcomm Stadium, as we all know, would not be his last.
Seau gave 13 years of service to the Chargers after they made him a first-round pick out of USC in 1990. He was the face of his hometown franchise during that time, a fantasy that many kids dream about but few realize.
It wasn't all roses. Seau trudged through several seasons as the only marketable player on a terrible team, but still managed to earn 12 consecutive Pro Bowl selections and lead the Chargers to three playoff berths and an AFC championship.
There is one thing missing from his Hall of Fame career: a Super Bowl ring. That's what brought him to the New England Patriots just days after an emotional "retirement" ceremony at Chargers Park in 2006.
His dream is nearly realized. Ironically, Seau must step over his hometown team in Sunday's AFC title game in order to do so.
"It would be great to follow through and win a ring, but I'm not even there yet," Seau said. "We have an AFC championship to worry about right now."
Seau will be facing a team he knows all too well.
"The ironic thing is he's playing against the organization that he created a lot of what we are today," Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. "The attitude that we are on this team and the way we play this game is because of Junior. The passion that a lot of us play with is because of Junior. In return, he's going to be looking at himself (on) the other side of the ball, to be honest with you.
"It's going to be great either way it goes. I really believe that he's happy for us because he taught myself, Jamal (Williams), (Quentin) Jammer, a lot of guys, he taught us a lot. I'm pretty sure, either way it goes, he'll be happy with it."
Seau has followed his proteges all season long, tracking the Chargers throughout their roller-coaster season.
"I've been watching them all year," Seau said. "I'm a San Diegan and always will be one. (The Chargers) are my hometown team, and I have a lot of interest when they're playing."
This weekend is a rare time when Seau has great interest in seeing them lose. A win over the Chargers and a Super Bowl victory would eliminate the stigma of being among the greatest linebackers never to have won a ring -- and would help erase memories of the 1995 Super Bowl, when the Chargers got blown out by San Francisco.
"I just know from experiencing the Super Bowl that I was part of, and it was one of the most embarrassing showings in my career," Seau said. "Going out there and performing like we did, we were very disappointed in how it went."
Seau seems hell-bent on rectifying that history in what could be his last shot at a Super Bowl. He had tunnel vision during a conference call Wednesday, refusing to look beyond Sunday's game or place much of anything in a larger context.
Though he's focused on beating his old team, there is one local football program he can always root for. Seau was most animated when discussing Oceanside High's state championship. The Pirates lost in the section finals when he played there, but he was proud of their accomplishments this season.
"That's a beautiful thing," Seau said. "That was a highlight of my year. It really was. To see my hometown school represent San Diego in such a positive light was pretty awesome."
Even his high school has a championship ring. With two more wins, Seau will reach his final goal and get that elusive Super Bowl ring.
-- Contact staff writer Scott Bair at (760) 739-6642 or sbair@nctimes.com
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CA Expatriat wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:26 AM:A lot of us know how you feel, Junior! Spent a lot of years watching you and the Chargers play; in fact, you're the primary reason I'm a fan. I remember Air Coryell and the Fouts era, but I don't remember the Chargers having the same passion for the game in those days. I'd love more than anything to see "my" Chargers win the Super Bowl, but I'd be just as happy to see you finally get your ring, and your due. Thanks for all the great years, dude!
Jaque wrote on Jan 17, 2008 6:13 AM:Seau is just another money grubbing,... jock. He "graduated" accepted this city's accolades and then took the money at NE a month later. Loser
Pirate for life. wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:33 AM:Jaque are you from San Diego? have you ever played football? Do you know what it is like to put your body through hell day in and day out?. Do you know Jr. Well I do I have played with him In Pop Warner and High School and can tell you it is not about the money. Jr. has a passion for the game that you can't even imagine. I talk to his brother from time to time and I have asked him why? It is about the championship and ring. When the Patriots called that was his opprotunity to get his ring. Opprotunity knocked and he answered.
Long Board Spikeman wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:39 AM:Jaque...!! just focus on being
a fan for once, and if you are talking
smack about JR maybe you should just
pack it in and move to france or someting, you done nothing but whine
about this that and any other chicken
s#@% thing about the chargers this season, Jr is a Sandiegan GET IT! you
will not Trash him period without Someone correcting you...What have you
Done besides hide in front of your TV
to ever support the Bolts???
TXBoltFAN wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:49 AM:THANK YOU JUNIOR,
And now Im sorry.....It was a fun ride and how I would love to see you with a ring at the end of your Hall of Fame Carrier...But all you are getting this week is a thank you for what you ment to this team in years passed.
This week you are the enemy and I hope that you have lost 3 steps and that you dont hit as hard.
GO BOLTS
Go Packers!!! wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:43 AM:The Packers are going to win the Super Bowl, so none of you will get what you want. I can't wait to see the tears in Junior Seau's eyes at the end of that one.
Oh, and Long Board Spikeman, you might want to take a couple of english classes. You write like my five-year-old.
you ... wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:51 AM:Jaque
You always write something negative. ...I wish Junior the best of luck, he should have retired a Charger.
J wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:04 AM:How ironic that the team that could destroy his chance to get a ring is the one he built and then left. Life is cruel sometimes. Always wished he would have been a Raider. Hell of a football player and a hell of a guy.
BoltDan wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:12 AM:Jr was and is a Charger at heart... I loved watching him and enjoyed every game he played in. It goes back to what I have said before. Spanos could have kept a leader like JR and had him teaching and playing part time here... but no he was to old and washed up... Oh what a mistake that might be. I hope he and Rodney don't take it out on us this week. I stil believe we can beat this Patsy team for the simple matter that they haven't played anyone in there division that is better than our division. SO GO BOLTS AND BEAT THE PATSIES!!!!!
BMat wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:33 AM:Dude just picked the wrong team that's all. The Pilgrims will lose on Sunday.
Mad love and nuff respect to Seau, dude just picked the wrong team!
SHOW ME YOUR LIGHTNING BOLTS CHARGER FAN !!!
Mars wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:38 AM:Whether it be the Chargers, Giants or Packers that stop the Pats, I hope Seau never gets a ring simply for the childish "screw you" he gave the Chargers by having them hook up his "graduation" ceremony, and all the while he was talking to the Patriots.
lets rock Jr wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:43 AM:I have always been a fan of Jr, however he left us and now it is time for him to see that he could have had his ring if he would have stayed with his hometown...GO CHARGERS...KILL the Pats!!! even jr!!!
RamonCharger wrote on Jan 17, 2008 11:53 AM:I have all due respect for Junior Seau but i say he should of stayed with Aeicas finest San Diego Chargers!
dunderbolts wrote on Jan 17, 2008 12:15 PM:give jr a break he is on the best team OF ALL TIME.....go PATS
BiG K wrote on Jan 17, 2008 12:23 PM: I think I seen a lot of negative things toward him on these comments....I have a lot of respect for Seau....I loved to see him play when i was growing up...He is still my hero EVEN when he is with the Patriots. Just like jerry Rice. We gotta give him a lot of credit for his passion and leadership...HE IS A TRUE CHARGER DEFENDER and will always be that way. So Seau just do what u gotta do and no matter win or lose, you still have fans in San Diego. This week is going to be tough.... We will root for u and the Chargers!
Go Chargers and Seau!
PatsFan in SD wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:57 PM:Just a few corrections:
Junior did not leave the Chargers, they (management) decided he had lost a step and wasn't good enough to play for them.
At his retirement/grad ceremony, he said
"I don't look at it as a retirement. I look at it as a graduation. I'm graduating to wherever I'm going to go to next. I'm the one that got the true gift, the true gift of understanding what actually transpires between the lines."
"I'm healthy, I can play and there are teams out there that had interest, but they just didn't need," Seau said. "They wanted me, but they didn't need me. I'm not a player that can play by just wanting to play the game. I'm a guy that needs to win, and they go hand in hand."
Guess he found a team that wanted AND needed him. I might understand the animosity some Bolt fans have if the team had cleared a roster spot for him to sign a one-day contract, allowing him to retire as a Charger, and then he decided to join the Pats anyway. But, that's not how it went down. He gave SD 13 dedicated years and their only SB appearance (to date) and he didn't earn a one-day contract to retire with his hometown team? Unbelievable.
PatsFanInSD wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:58 PM:Just a few corrections:
Junior did not leave the Chargers, they (management) decided he had lost a step and wasn't good enough to play for them.
At his retirement/grad ceremony, he said
"I don't look at it as a retirement. I look at it as a graduation. I'm graduating to wherever I'm going to go to next. I'm the one that got the true gift, the true gift of understanding what actually transpires between the lines."
"I'm healthy, I can play and there are teams out there that had interest, but they just didn't need," Seau said. "They wanted me, but they didn't need me. I'm not a player that can play by just wanting to play the game. I'm a guy that needs to win, and they go hand in hand."
Guess he found a team that wanted AND needed him. I might understand the animosity some Bolt fans have if the team had cleared a roster spot for him to sign a one-day contract, allowing him to retire as a Charger, and then he decided to join the Pats anyway. But, that's not how it went down. He gave SD 13 dedicated years and their only SB appearance (to date) and he didn't earn a one-day contract to retire with his hometown team? Unbelievable.
Long Board Spikeman wrote on Jan 17, 2008 5:32 PM:To "GO PACKERS" Get off it!
I'll Stand for JR any day,
So "EDIT THIS" MR spelling
Bee Cheese Brain......
"GO CHARGERS"
This clown wrote on Jan 17, 2008 5:33 PM:will never, ever get a ring. Dream on Charger fans. I can't wait until all the stores that are jumping on the bandwagon with all the merch are forced to mark it down for next to nothing to get rid of it Sunday night. They might beat New England if they are allowed to carry baseball bats and a plane crashes into the Patriots bench.
Oak Park Bark wrote on Jan 17, 2008 5:45 PM:I'm happy for JR, and I'll
Stand for him any time, but
we are charger fans and all
that we need right now is a
win on sunday...I'll still be
at the BFOF in balboa park when
its JR's turn...No Matter what!
maybe its time for the rest of
you poster's to jump on or
move to oakland, because L.A
might have air pollution but
you cry baby bandwagon fans are
all about a lot of noise pollution
RAMPANT CHARGER FEVER IS IN MY
HOUSE!!
Russ wrote on Jan 17, 2008 6:00 PM:I'll never forget the first time I saw you play as a Charger. You got ejected from the game. The Raiders took notice of your abilities and we as Charger fans thought it was a long time coming. Thank you for your many years of service. You inspired a team.
Melyoristic wrote on Jan 17, 2008 6:06 PM:Much love and props to Junior Seau...he is a beloved Chargers icon and what he represents to the city of San Diego...but as of 12 noon, this Sunday, we hope that Mike Goff or Marcus McNeil comes around their corner and knocks Seau off his feet...and that V-Jack or Chris Chambers burns Rodney Harrison for a touchdown. Junior and Rodney, we love you, any other day...except Sunday.
mr o wrote on Jan 17, 2008 6:45 PM:Seau's has horrible service and food. What are you guys talking about?
asianorchid wrote on Jan 18, 2008 6:16 AM:Get your popcorn ready and enjoy the show!!!!The Chargers are one win away from Superbowl. 76% of the nation has voted for the Pats and once again the Chargers are underdogs. I will LMAO if they beat a team that has 17-0 record and celebrate the whole year with the Asian San Diegans.
GO CHARGERS!!!! GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT!!!
Not a big fan of JR. wrote on Jan 18, 2008 1:00 PM:#55 is NOT a role model for your kids folks. He's sending out multiple child support checks to multiple addresses, and that's the reason he's still going to work. It's a shame because so many look up to him. A real shame.
HAWAII BOLTS FAN wrote on Jan 19, 2008 12:12 AM:I was born the same year the Chargers came to San Diego and watched as they built San Diego stadium. I have been a fan all my life and saw many greats play the game with bolts on their shoulders.
Junior will always be a Charger, no matter what uniform he wears. Period.
Mahalo for all those memories and I apologize for the fact that the team was not able to deliver a championship...... yet.
Happy Birthday on Saturday, for on Sunday I will be rooting for the Chargers - Seau included.
GO BOLTS! Everyone is counting you out. It is time to take that next step.
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