The New York Times reports when former USC linebacker Junior Seau is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month, Seau’s family will not be allowed to speak on his behalf. This raises questions about whether the Hall of Fame (and NFL, it’s largest donor) do not want any discussion of Seau’s suicide, findings he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy or his family’s lawsuit against the NFL.
“Our mission is to honor the heroes of the game and Junior is a hero of the game. We’re going to celebrate his life, not the death and other issues,” David Baker, the executive director of the Hall of Fame, told the New York Times.
David Baker is the father of former USC All-American offensive tackle Sam Baker.
Is it really a question if the Hall of Fame would like to have discussions about CTE, suicide and lawsuits at their induction ceremony? If you’re giving a wedding toast, does it raise the question of the appropriateness in talking about nasty divorces and their effects on the children? If you’re going to cut and paste the NYT, at least offer something thought provoking.
Typical Wolf, scraping in the inner walls of a toilet for any dirt
Just amazing. I’m so surprised the HOF doesn’t want angry, agenda-driven Seau family members wailing on publicly about Junior’s depressed, suicidal state before he ended it. Shocking!
I understand that the HOF doesn’t want his induction to be driven by talk of suicide. But….I think maybe they should sit down and talk it over with Seau’s family first.
IMO.
I think this certainly could have been handled more gracefully by the Hall, but having a grieving family, in the middle of a lawsuit, speaking with that big of a platform is a bit like juggling hand grenades. It is actually tragic for all parties involved and just doing a tribute seems to be making the best out of a pretty impossible situation.
Another great point of view. It’s a tough issue. It would be a tougher pill to swallow for the Seau’s if they were not allowed to speak about Junior’s accomplishments.
Its my hope that an appropriate discussion on behalf of the HOF is made with Junior’s family, in order to properly honor him publicly, and at the same time address the great concerns for all players.
Personally I was honored to have spoken with him on many occasions, along with his extended family concerning Women’s Volleyball.. Besides his kind friendly manner, I could sence a sadness. Such a tragedy..
Well said. That’s awesome that you were able to have known Junior Seau. And I think the HOF and his family could somehow work this out.
A tragedy indeed. A great player and a good human being who died way too young.
Rivalry aside, I really feel that the family should be able to speak and that it’s a slap in the face for them not to have their chance to honor Seau at the ceremony.
Seems to be a reasonable suggestion, SAS. Perhaps there could have been a balance of celebrating his career and touching on what led to his death. One can highlight both without anger if done properly. Perhaps the NFL didn’t think the family could pull that off.
The NFL can at least have a sit down with the family. At least give them a warning that this HOF induction should be about his career. And if the family gives the vibe that they are out to shed light on his death, then I think you pull the plug.
A time and place for all things.
Best to celebrate Junior’s football heroics than to bring up other issues.
If Pat Haden had guts, he would make clear to the NFL the Memorial Coliseum would be unavailable if Seau’s parents weren’t allowed to address the HoF crowd uncensored.
Now isn’t that rich, ‘UCLA CLOWNS LA Football’ is lecturing about doing “what’s right and honorable”
Walnut, Seau’s family appreciates your support.
NFL drops the ball in this one… Should let the family speak!
That run against UCLA was spectacular!
Yup,,,he was quite the SLASHER….
FIT UNG
Let’s see Bucket: O.J. won the Heisman in 1968 and then did his killing in 1994.
26 years passed since his SC days.
That make any sense to you?
It makes perfect sense to him but the angry and frustrated persona he displays here will not allow him to acknowledge it.
He is here soley to provoke.
Are you saying because it was 26 years after he graduated that it doesn’t tarnish his legacy? I doubt it.
I would agree that it doesn’t reflect on USC, if that is your argument…except that he was allowed to speak to the team before the Orange Bowl…and AFTER the killings. I am sure whoever allowed that to happen would like to have a do over.
Wasn’t it Little Petey that OK’d OJ’s win one for the Gipper bit.
Aren’t you supposed to punctuate a question with a question mark?
Yes, unless I forget to.
Feeling punctilious this morning are you JG?
Very eery.
You are correct in your assumptions.
It’s just fun to poke at the trolls.
After 21 years many forget that USC and OJ were synonymous. Wherever he went, he represented the university, both as the greatest NFL running back of the 1970s and as a celebrity, pitch man and actor in his post-NFL career and as an announcer on the top rated ABC Monday Night Football. Most of us didn’t even contemplate that SC’s beloved OJ could have committed such a heinous act until he was on that slow speed chase in the white Bronco with AC that fateful Friday afternoon in June as the crowds swarmed the freeway chanting “Go Juice Go!’.
Funny thing is that I played golf with OJ probably a half dozen times. He was a very friendly guy and loved to give me the needle about UCLA and we had fun going back and forth. Once I played 9 holes with him alone, just Juice and me and I was having flashbacks of the runs in 1967. It was such a shock to see that pleasant guy absolutely lose his mind over a woman and ruin his life. I can’t think of a bigger waste and a bigger downfall than his, let alone 2 people losing their lives.
If Wolf would present the whole story then he would have also noted that the NFL stopped having speakers for deceased inductees a long time ago. They all get a video shown of their accomplishments and family members can be in the video, which Seau’s is.