Here is the show. The backstory is below.
Say “Sports Legend” in San Diego, and Junior Seau is high on that list. His name, image and iconic stature reach well beyond San Diego and now into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. Sadly, this man with a bigger-than-life personality on and off the football field, with a huge heart for philanthropy and making people feel special, was gone sooner than anyone expected. Junior Seau took his own life in 2012. Later, a study showed he suffered brain injuries which could help explain why things happened.
Even in light of the tragedy, and the important conversation it ignited surrounding sports injuries and adjustments after the game, it is Junior Seau’s life that is still so vibrant and rich with stories and lessons. It’s important we remember and share — with younger people who’ve heard of this “Legend” — what he learned and what he taught along the way of his remarkable journey.
Thankfully, we had featured Junior a few times during the 15 years of the original One on One series on Channel 4: in 1999, the first Charger featured, and the most in-depth interview with him to date; and in 2003, as San Diego was about to host the Super Bowl and we presented stories of local icons. In this special Legends edition, editor Dan Roper and I meld the interviews and add in new information about his passing, charity work, and the public memorial service at the stadium he called home.
Personally, I’m honored to call Junior a friend albeit mostly in the context of interviews, story telling, and teaming up for charitable endeavors. He didn’t call me Buddy, but rather “Jane Mitchell” or “Jane Mitchell One on One” always greeting me with joy and respect. He graciously made comments for my book which features a chapter on him. Our last conversation was at his final golf gala in 2012 where we chatted about getting together later that spring about some new and creative business ideas. With a hug and smile, like he would do for so many others too, I just expected to see him again. How sad we all were when that was not to be.
So this One on One Legends edition is an opportunity to remember the qualities he had and shared, among them his unique way of talking and putting things in perspective. My favorite part of the whole sit-down interview is at the end, when he talks about the rings of life.
Junior wasn’t perfect, and he shared publicly what he wanted to share, but even so that was usually humility, faith, motivating stories, and his big and generous heart. His rhythm of life — even if he sang off key a bit, or had fears or flaws we may never truly understand — set a great example for all ages. What his family and friends say about him echoes how he tried to honor his parents and “make happy.” You don’t have to be an athlete or even a big sports fan to appreciate what he did with his platform to help and inspire others.
Enjoy… and please share.