Tiaina Baul Seau Jr. professionally known as Junior Seau was a linebacker who played for more than 19 seasons at the NFL. Junior Seau net worth before his death is estimated to be $12 million.
Seau was born on January 19, 1969 in California as the fifth child to Tiaina Seau Sr. and Luisa Mauga Seau. He went to Oceanside High School where he played football, basketball and track and field. As a linebacker, he was named Avocado League offensive MVP and led his team to the San Diego 2A Championship. He then played college football at the University of Southern California where he was a unanimous first-team All-American selection in 1989.
Seau was chosen in first round of 1990 NFL Draft by San Diego Chargers. He became the most popular players on the Chargers with a nickname ‘Tasmanian Devil’. He started 15 of the 16 games during his rookie season and was named an alternate to the 1991 Pro Bowl after recording 85 tackles. Seau played 13 seasons for the Chargers and led them to Super Bowl XXIX.
In 2003, he was then traded to the Miami Dolphins. During his debut season with Dolphins, he started 15 games and was one of their standout defensive players. However, due to injury he could not feature in more games in 2005 and 2006 season. In 2006, he signed with New England Patriots and played three seasons before retiring in 2010.
During his career, he became the face of Chargers franchise and San Diego icon. He was a ten time All-Pro and 12 time Pro Ball Player, 1994 AFC player of the year and 2003 linebacker of the year. He is the member of San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame and his jersey number 55 has been retired by his team members.
On May 2, 2012, Junior Seau was found dead in his California home. He was 43 years old. An autopsy report confirmed that his body contained no illegal drugs or alcohol but did showed traces of zolpidem. Autopsy also revealed that he suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
