Belichick Reflects On Junior Seau's Passion For Football
FOXBORO (CBS) – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reflected fondly on his time with the late Junior Seau, who will be posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
Related: Remembering Junior Seau
Prior to Saturday's training camp session, Belichick was asked how he would sum up coaching Seau from 2006-09.
"You know, the one word I've always used with Junior is passion," Belichick told reporters. "Of all the players I've coached, his passion for the game in every sense of it was exceptional. In the building, in the classroom, on the practice field, around his teammates, in the games, on the sideline – wherever it was – that was I'd say the one thing about Junior that was always exceptional relative to other players – I mean, forget about ability and all that, but just his playing style, his true passion for the game, for the game of football.
Seau announced his retirement in August 2006, but just four days later Belichick convinced him to suit up for the Patriots.
Belichick said he and Seau had a "great relationship" during the linebacker's four years with the team.
In May 2012, Seau committed suicide. He will be posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
"I think all of us that interacted with him while he was here feel privileged to have had the opportunity to play with or coach Junior. He was pretty special," Seau said. "Aside from all the accolades that he rightly deserves for his playing ability and production, I'm talking about really all the other things. So, well deserved and we're very proud of his recognition, and I've expressed that to his family on behalf of our organization. We were fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him."