Rockne's Roundtable

I used to wake up at 5am to workout in the offseason while playing in the nfl. Our workouts started at 530am. Still pitch black upon arriving to the place where myself and a few other pros were getting prepared to go through some of the hardest and most excruciating conditioning I've ever been through I heard the clashing and banging of weights. I approached the building and Junior was already dripping with sweat from the weight workout we were supposed to be doing later that morning. Smiling, laughing, joking, and jawing as usual. This was the offseason before his 11th season. It was then that I learned that as hard as I worked I was being out worked by a player whom had been to multiple pro bowls. He helped me set the standard to which I needed to set for myself to attain excellence. Doing it in the most jovial enjoyable way that only Junior could. I'll never forget that about him pushing people to better themselves. Very vivid memory for me.

Sad news indeed. I don't know if any of you follow Troy Polamalu's facebook page, but he had a wonderful message about Seau as well:
"I am deeply saddened by the events that have transpired today. My heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to his family. Junior Seau meant so much to me and many other Samoan youth both as a player and person. Junior epitomized hard work and dedication to football and philanthropy. He was a childhood hero of mine and honored to say, a good friend. Junior Seau will always be someone I look up to and will walk the path he paved for me and many other Trojans, Samoans, and athletes alike."

Athletes play because they love the game. From all these stories that are coming out, it sounds like Seau loved it as much as, if not even more than, most out there. As fans, we want them to play their hardest - after all we're paying for that entertainment. But I agree with psdo - I also hope they'll find a new balance between playing with heart and playing at unnecessary risk, as these sad stories are becoming all too common and most unsettling. To me, football is a game. But to so many, it's so much more than that, and Junior Seau proved that it goes so far beyond the field. He played this game at a level that most can never hope to attain, and he leaves an inspiring legacy behind him, both among athletes and fans. My prayers are with his family and friends.

Sad day indeed.. Prayers go out to his family, friends, and family. Quite a few ND players had some nice stories regarding Seau. Thanks Olsen, Shane, and Timmy Brown. RIP. Felt horrible watching his mother on tv today, parents worst nightmare..

Thanks for sharing, Shane.

That story says a lot considering you're a guy I remember staying after practice.