Many remember Seau as kind, giving, funny man

"One of the most ferocious tacklers in the history of football was playing a ukulele in an empty bar at 11:00 p.m. and serenading the few that remained. He then started to play some more and his cousin and uncle joined in the chorus. They were a harmonic family full of melodies ... and they were good — real good. ... I hope this story will aid in an attempt to remember not only a linebacker but a fun, loving person as well."

"When I was a frosh in HS Junior Seau worked the Jay Fiedler Football camp and at the end of one of the days he challenged any1 to a 1 on 1. Being one of the 'big' kids, I was volunteered by my buddies and went up in front of the whole camp to face this monster of a man. Shaking in my cleats, he gave me a wink before a coach gave the cadence. He let me pancake him. And he sold it too. I can't even tell you how good I felt at that moment; it changed me forever.

"The whole camp cheered for me, a chubby kid that didn't know if he even liked football. From then on I was addicted. All thanks 2 this 10 time all-pro that felt like making some snot-nosed kid's day. Doesn't seem like much but it meant a lot to me. Sorry for the essay just had to share. RIP Junior I'll never forget what you did for me."

Seau stopped and turned to face me. He smiled broadly. "One pair, jeans," he said. "One pair, slacks. Some sweats that someone sent me for free."

He paused. That was it?

"That's it," he said, satisfied, and I was pretty much the happiest Californian in sports journalism history. The quote didn't make the magazine, but it made me an unabashed Seau devotee for life.

I volunteered to help with his foundations event where the recognize a local sports hero. That year it was Jimmie Johnson. They auctioned off goods to raise money for the charity with Junior as the auctioneer. ...

At the end, us lowely volunteers were in the kitchen, getting a sandwich meal they had packed for us after cleaning, and in walked Junior with a double armful of live orchids. They had been the centerpieces on the tables at the auction.

I thought everyone had left but us. He goes to every lady in the room and gives her one and thanks her for volunteering. He shakes all the guys hands and smiles and talks for second, calling everyone "Buddy". I was actually the last guy he stopped at, being the closest to the door, and he shook my hand and thanked me. If you never met him, he was a stunningly immense human being, like a mountain of muscle. He saw my wedding ring and gave me the last orchid and said:

"This is for your wife. Tell her it's from Junior Seau and that her husband did a good thing today. She probably wonders what your doing out this late. Thanks, Buddy."