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Helene ElliottContact Reporter
The resemblance between Ian Seau and his late uncle, pro football Hall of Famer Junior Seau, is in determination more than DNA, more striking in their love of family, football and the ukulele than in their facial features.
Ian Seau, one of 19 undrafted rookie free agents who participated in theRams' rookie mini-camp last week in Oxnard, isn't as tall or muscular as his uncle, who played 13 of his 20 NFL seasons in San Diego. Ian Seau, slightly shorter at 6 feet 2 and a bit lighter at 250 pounds, doesn't have his famous relative's athleticism. His strengths are less visible.
"I'm a really hard worker. It's not easy to make me quit. I rarely quit," Ian said. "I go out there and I'm going to compete. I'm going to claw and try and stay a part of this organization, so whatever I have to do, I'm going to find a way to stay on this team."
He had a solid career as a defensive end and outside linebacker at Nevada, where he racked up 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss last season, but he didn't hear his name called on draft day. By contrast, Junior Seau was chosen fifth overall by the Chargers in 1990 out of USC, launching a stellar career as one of the game's premier linebackers.
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Three years into retirement he shot himself in the chest and died on May 2, 2012. Doctors concluded he had suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease found in the brains of people with a history of severe or repeated brain injuries. Approximately 90 former NFL players have tested positive for the disease.
While uncle and nephew were close, Ian said Junior rarely spoke of football or its pitfalls.
"He tried to keep his professional life different from his social life and his family life. He never really talked to me about playing in the NFL," Ian said. "He just told me, 'Hey man, when you're in the league make sure you have a ukulele next to you.' I got my uke out here. Whenever I'm stressed out I can just play that. Just small things he gave me of that nature."
To avoid causing a fuss, Junior Seau would arrive unannounced the few times he attended Ian's games at La Jolla Country Day School and La Costa Canyon High in Carlsbad. "Watching Ian play football, even basketball, he pulled me aside and said that he reminds me how I used to play, when I played basketball and football," said Mary Seau, Junior's sister and a single mother to Ian and daughter Shannalei. "Junior could not believe that he was a clone of him."
That bond is why Ian misses him keenly now. "I went to his grave sometimes throughout this whole entire process and said, 'Uncle, man, I wish you were here to tell me what to do,'" Ian said. "I'd sit there hoping he gives me an answer. He never does. But it was cool. I wish he was here to talk me through this and sort of ease all this pain."
It's too early to evaluate the chances Ian will stick with the Rams and follow his uncle by playing at the Coliseum as the team returns to Los Angeles following an absence of two decades. The rookies spent the first few days easing into their surroundings and preparing to work with the veterans. He likes the Rams' 4-3 defense and "great defensive line, a great defensive culture in general." He believes he can also play middle linebacker if asked. "He really would like to do this not only for himself but to let Junior know that he didn't give up, that he's the only one that didn't give up," Mary Seau said.
Follow Helene Elliott on Twitter: @helenenothelen
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-rams-seau-elliott-20160509-column.html
The resemblance between Ian Seau and his late uncle, pro football Hall of Famer Junior Seau, is in determination more than DNA, more striking in their love of family, football and the ukulele than in their facial features.
Ian Seau, one of 19 undrafted rookie free agents who participated in theRams' rookie mini-camp last week in Oxnard, isn't as tall or muscular as his uncle, who played 13 of his 20 NFL seasons in San Diego. Ian Seau, slightly shorter at 6 feet 2 and a bit lighter at 250 pounds, doesn't have his famous relative's athleticism. His strengths are less visible.
"I'm a really hard worker. It's not easy to make me quit. I rarely quit," Ian said. "I go out there and I'm going to compete. I'm going to claw and try and stay a part of this organization, so whatever I have to do, I'm going to find a way to stay on this team."
He had a solid career as a defensive end and outside linebacker at Nevada, where he racked up 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss last season, but he didn't hear his name called on draft day. By contrast, Junior Seau was chosen fifth overall by the Chargers in 1990 out of USC, launching a stellar career as one of the game's premier linebackers.
See the most-read stories in Sports this hour >>
Three years into retirement he shot himself in the chest and died on May 2, 2012. Doctors concluded he had suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease found in the brains of people with a history of severe or repeated brain injuries. Approximately 90 former NFL players have tested positive for the disease.
While uncle and nephew were close, Ian said Junior rarely spoke of football or its pitfalls.
"He tried to keep his professional life different from his social life and his family life. He never really talked to me about playing in the NFL," Ian said. "He just told me, 'Hey man, when you're in the league make sure you have a ukulele next to you.' I got my uke out here. Whenever I'm stressed out I can just play that. Just small things he gave me of that nature."
To avoid causing a fuss, Junior Seau would arrive unannounced the few times he attended Ian's games at La Jolla Country Day School and La Costa Canyon High in Carlsbad. "Watching Ian play football, even basketball, he pulled me aside and said that he reminds me how I used to play, when I played basketball and football," said Mary Seau, Junior's sister and a single mother to Ian and daughter Shannalei. "Junior could not believe that he was a clone of him."
That bond is why Ian misses him keenly now. "I went to his grave sometimes throughout this whole entire process and said, 'Uncle, man, I wish you were here to tell me what to do,'" Ian said. "I'd sit there hoping he gives me an answer. He never does. But it was cool. I wish he was here to talk me through this and sort of ease all this pain."
It's too early to evaluate the chances Ian will stick with the Rams and follow his uncle by playing at the Coliseum as the team returns to Los Angeles following an absence of two decades. The rookies spent the first few days easing into their surroundings and preparing to work with the veterans. He likes the Rams' 4-3 defense and "great defensive line, a great defensive culture in general." He believes he can also play middle linebacker if asked. "He really would like to do this not only for himself but to let Junior know that he didn't give up, that he's the only one that didn't give up," Mary Seau said.
Follow Helene Elliott on Twitter: @helenenothelen
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-rams-seau-elliott-20160509-column.html
