In his 20-year N.F.L. career, Junior Seau established himself as one of the game’s greatest linebackers. He committed suicide in 2012 at age 43 and was subsequently found to have had a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated hits to the head. Before his death, Seau told his daughter Sydney that she should speak on his behalf if he made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But the Hall, citing a five-year-old policy of not letting others give full speeches for deceased inductees, did not allow Sydney to deliver her speech. Recorded in her hotel room in Canton, Ohio, this is the speech Sydney had hoped to deliver on Saturday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. • • • First off, I would like to thank the generous people of Canton, Ohio, for opening up their homes for this event, the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee for voting my father into the Hall, and of course the other seven deserving inductees. Continue reading the main story RELATED COVERAGE Junior Seau’s name was announced Saturday night at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.Daughter Honors Seau Onstage at a Celebration Under a CloudAUG. 8, 2015 From left: Jeff George, Junior Seau, N.F.L. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Blair Thomas at the draft in 1990.The Class of ’90: Where Are They Now?APRIL 29, 2015 Junior Seau and his daughter Sydney during his induction into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 2011.In Compromise, Pro Football Hall of Fame Offers to let Junior Seau’s Daughter Speak at CeremonyAUG. 1, 2015 Luisa Seau, right, the mother of the former Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, during a San Diego ceremony to retire Seau's number in 2012. At left is Seau's daughter, Sydney.On Pro Football: Junior Seau’s Family Silenced by a Policy Not Found at Other Halls of FameJULY 29, 2015 Junior Seau's family, including his daughter Sydney, third from left, at a ceremony to retire his jersey before a San Diego Chargers game in 2012.Sports of The Times: Cloud Hangs Over Hall of Fame Farewell to Junior SeauJULY 28, 2015 Junior Seau with his daughter, Sydney, at his induction into the San Diego Chargers' hall of fame in 2011.Junior Seau’s Family Renews Call for Daughter to Speak at Hall of FameJULY 27, 2015 The Pro Football Hall of Fame does not plan to let any of Junior Seau's family members speak on his behalf when he is inducted on Aug. 8.Junior Seau’s Family Will Not Be Allowed to Speak at His Hall of Fame InductionJULY 24, 2015 Before I start thanking communities, teams, family and friends that I do know and many others that I have yet to have the pleasure of getting to know, I would like to say that this is not my speech to give. This speech was meant for a man that worked 20 years within the sport he loved most in this world. I cannot speak for him because I am not him. I have not played in the N.F.L. for one second, let alone 20 years; I do not have past seasons to reminisce about or hilarious locker room stories to joke about. But I do have one thing, and that is unconditional love. Your Junior Seau, your No. 55 and your buddy, was also my father. And although I didn’t know every aspect of his life, I did know one particular part very well. 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. Tonight I would like to honor him and his legendary heart. The two words that exemplify my dad the most are “passion” and “love.” Everything he achieved, accomplished or set his mind to was done with both qualities. In every situation — whether it be practice, a game, a family barbecue, an impromptu ukulele song or just a run on the Oceanside Strand — he always gave you all of himself because to him, there was never any other option.

• published: 09 Aug 2015
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