(2012)
My heart is breaking for Junior Seau’s family and our community. I met Junior in 1999. He was the first NFL player featured for my show One on One. Naturally, the first had to be Junior: a player who not only electrified the team, but embraced his hometown and his platform to DO good… and not just at a small event here and there, or showing up for autographs. He set the bar so high for what one person can do to change the world, one person at a time.

I am  honored Junior opened up to me for the two shows featuring him, my book, and any time I asked for an interview. Honored, partly as a colleague and friend, but more so because my work about his story and thoughts would be shared with fans: Chargers fans, football fans, and people of all ages who could learn and be moved by hearing about his journey. I spoke with Junior this spring  about my efforts for continuing One on One’s mission to tell the Good Sports Story.  He seemed eager to discuss those ideas.  He thrived on such things, always had great ideas, and was a master at seeing them through. While not perfect, we can all learn so much from him and how he made the most of his gifts and talents.

That it would end this way, on May 2, 2012, is tragic. Why it happened may never be known. There was still so much ahead that will never be. But I will remember him for his life, for his love and for his passion.

I wrote this paragraph in January around the Super Bowl… and quote him from an interview back in 2003 that’s included in my book (page 256.)

After having been to one Super Bowl with the Chargers, and the Super Bowl was in San Diego in 2003, Junior sat down with me for a One on One and offered some perspective. He couldn’t know he would return another time with the 2007 Patriots, or that he would face another tough loss, that time to the New York Giants. But as the Championship game was coming to his hometown, and as we sat in his living room, with lights and cameras, I asked a sentimental Seau: “Is that Super Bowl ring still pulling you? Is that the ultimate for you?” He told me: “I have rings in life.” He listed accomplishments including family, friends, and his foundation’s community work. “I’m proud of those rings. So for me to say that I’m going to give all that up for a Super Bowl? You know what? I’ll take my rings of life. So, am I after one? Yes. But I already won.”

RIP #55. RIP.

For more on Junior’s story and Jane’s experience with him, get her book on KINDLE or at the One on One STORE  on this site.

With the obvious baseball connection, and my involvement with the local ALS Association Greater San Diego Chapter, it was a natural and very beneficial fit to feature people dealing with this fatal disease, and show the courage and hope surrounding them and their stories. It allowed us to enlighten viewers about ALS and fundraising efforts as well.

Here are just 4 of the many stories that aired on Channel 4. Some of the PALS (persons with ALS) have passed on, but their stories are a testament to how they lived their lives in the face of ALS, much like Lou Gehrig did in his time.

For more on the ALS Association visit www.ALSASD.org

Scott Linebrink supports the PALS and Chapter

For a decade, the Chapter has had a positive relationship with the San Diego Padres. It began as  an annual outing with several PALS (person with ALS) and family and friends tailgating at Qualcomm Stadium or picnicking atop the Western Metal Supply building at PETCO Park and then attending a game.

It evolved into ALS Night at PETCO Park in the summer of 2006 with the Padres recognizing our Chapter during the pre-game ceremony, and later as part of a larger effort  begun in 2009 by Major League Baseball to heighten ALS awareness. What glorious moments those were for PALS standing along the first base line to hear the crowd cheer for them: courageous men and women battling the dreadful disease that claimed the life of baseball great Lou Gehrig.

Gratefully, because of my relationship with the team as a reporter at the former Padres’ TV partner, Channel 4 San Diego, for 15 years, the Padres Community Relations staff and several players took a special interest in our Chapter’s cause. Some players had a direct connection by knowing someone with ALS. Others just knew of Gehrig’s powerful story. Either way, the connection and compassion provided opportunities to go down on the field during batting practice so PALS and a caregiver could experience that ritual and routine. Former Padres on that list include Mark Loretta, Scott Linebrink, Randy Wolf, Scott Hairston, Nick Hundley and Chief Grounds-crewman Luke Yoder. To watch them genuinely interact with our PALS, and allow me to tell the ALS story for television through that newfound friendship, was heartwarming and encouraging.

PAL Mike Ramirez works the pre-game field with Luke Yoder, Greg Sacks and Jane 2009.

My father, a 30-year Navy man and survivor of three wars, died of ALS in 1994. It is in his honor and for his legacy that I have been a volunteer board member of the Chapter from its inception in 2002.  On behalf of our Chapter, I offer my thanks and gratitude to the game, the Padres organization and players who embraced our national mission to not only Strike Out ALS and increase awareness of the disease, but to also make a special memory for those PALS, their families and volunteers who, every day – even in their struggles – are inspired by hope and faith, and in turn, inspire and give us hope.

Mark Loretta a long time supporter of our Chapter

Scott Linebrink reaches out to Bobby Carter and other PALS at the ballpark.

More Texas fun!

Tuesday was all about Tulsa Time! My friend and former colleague at KOTV, Terry Hood, interviewed me to get the word about my return and book signing at Steve’s Sundry that afternoon. I so enjoyed seeing several of my co-workers from my three years in Tulsa. Again, the archives tell quite the story — and certainly remind me of all the hard news stories I covered and the challenges of working in heat and cold, along with the serious nature of my beats including Education, City Hall and crime. What a contrast to my eventual world of Major League Baseball and the National Football League, but I am so grateful for those years.  Big Al Jerkens and Coach Pat Jones hosted me on The Sports Animal Tulsa talking about One on One, Ted Williams, Tony Gwynn and more. As for the TV evolution? Here is a little montage of my work in Tulsa 1988-1991.

Please  tune in and tell your friends.  To listen to it simply go to TheAuthorsShow.com , click on the non-fiction link under the “player.”

Thank you!

Jane

HOLIDAY SPECIALS! This book’s great for baseball and football fans, history buffs, future journalists, mothers, sisters, friends, kids… anyone!

Website direct price was $22, now $18 (retails @$27+)

Mugs now $8 (perfect grip for men and women!) Filled with yummy treats!

T-Shirts Special now $10!  (only women’s are left!)

The lower priced Media rate shipping will not guarantee arrival by Dec. 24th. IF you want it for Christmas, Priority Shipping rates apply. Email for questions/help. Hello@JaneMitchellOneOnOne.com

For more ideas and a broader scope of Fabulous One on One Holiday Packages… Download  One on One Holiday Gift Info

With your purchase…
Free – Signed and Personalized book dedication (put names and suggested comments in message at checkout or email hello@janemitchelloneonone.com)
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The hard cover is a MUST, but the book is now available on Kindle for your digital convenience – reduced to $5.99! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006M4IKY6

Go digital with a new reduced KINDLE price… of just $5.99! 

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Would love to know if you bought it… send me an email/comment!

Jane 

My father died of this in 1994. It’s an awful disease. But, a silver lining? My family and I had two and a half years with him, and I had a conversation with him the night before he died. He cared, he loved, he contributed, he taught, he left a legacy of compassion and honor both as a 3-time war veteran and as a father.

October 21st — what would have been my dad’s 93rd birthday — the Greater San Diego Chapter of the ALS Association gathers for the 12th year for the Walk to Defeat ALS. It’s a day of hope, enlightenment and encouragement. UCSD, where there’s an ALS clinic and the hub of research, will be there along with some 100 teams of families and friends of those afflicted with ALS.

Join me as part of my team Wally’s Walkers, or form your own team. Either way, visit our site and spread the word, please. We need you.