HOF Bars Seau Family From Speaking at Induction Ceremony
In what is turning into a public relations black eye, the family of the late Junior Seau reportedly has been told they will not be able to speak in Canton. The late Seau was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, just three years after his tragic death. The league and Hall of Fame site traditional rules, which allow a video tribute in the case of a post-mortem induction.
"“The policy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2010 regarding individuals enshrined posthumously provides for an expanded presenting video (longer than the videos of living inductees) followed by the traditional unveiling of the bronzed bust and no additional comments made from the podium,” the statement said.“This policy is not precedent setting and was implemented for the first time in 2011 when former Los Angeles Rams great Les Richter was inducted posthumously.”"
In May of 2012, soon-to-be Hall of Fame Linebacker Junior Seau committed suicide in his San Diego home at the age of 43. Post-mortem tests showed his brain possessed signs of CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
The following information was reported in a Boston University report on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy:
"“Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head. CTE has been known to affect boxers since the 1920s. However, recent reports have been published of neuropathologically confirmed CTE in retired professional football players and other athletes who have a history of repetitive brain trauma. This trauma triggers progressive degeneration of the brain tissue, including the build-up of an abnormal protein called tau. These changes in the brain can begin months, years, or even decades after the last brain trauma or end of active athletic involvement. The brain degeneration is associated with memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and, eventually, progressive dementia.”"
Many suspect the league wants to deter the Seau family from using his post-mortem induction speech as a platform against the NFL. Critics believe the league is afraid to let the concussion/CTE story back in the spotlight on a stage as big as the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The family currently has a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the NFL, sighting that the league withheld information from players, active and retired.
The former Chargers’ linebackers’ widow and children claims that is not the case. Seau’s daughter, Sidney, was originally announced as the speaker, but has since been told that will not be the case.
"“It’s frustrating because the induction is for my father and for the other players, but then to not be able to speak, it’s painful. I just want to give the speech he would have given. It wasn’t going to be about this mess. My speech was solely about him.”"
Seau played 20 seasons in the NFL, but is seminomas for his time with the Chargers. He was voted to the Pro Bowl 12 times and was named first-team All-Pro eight times. Seau played in 268 games, the second-most in NFL history among linebackers. He finished his career with 56.5 sacks, 1,522 tackles, and 18 interceptions.
Along with the late Seau, running back Jerome Bettis, guard Will Shields, wide receiver Tim Brown, defensive end Charles Haley, center Mick Tingelhoff, and former general managers Bill Polian and Ron Wolf will be inducted into the Hall on Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio.