Junior Seau: Physical Sports Specimen and Endearing Presence
Posted on Thu, May 03, 2012
Like many XOS Digital employees, I previously worked in professional sports as a video assistant for the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins.
Working in the football business means dealing with big people, and sometimes even bigger personalities. Junior Seau was certainly a large and physically gifted athlete, but his persona was that of a gentle giant. On the field he was relentless, passionate and the definition of “high motor.” Off the field, he had a highly contagious smile that came across as nothing short of genuine.
With the Patriots, Seau was in the backend of his career. Looking at him from near or far, it was obvious that even in his late 30s, physical conditioning was absolutely necessary. He worked hard at that, and as it paid off throughout his legendary career, he was able to maintain his ability and prolong his career.
What many did not know is that he took that same work ethic and applied it to learning how to surf and play guitar. Watching and teaching him how to play guitar was a true joy, and a testament to him as a man. His large stature hindered his ability to cover only one string at a time due to his giant fingers, but his light-heartedness allowed him to laugh at any mistakes.
He would refer to everyone he saw as “Buddy Buddy!” as he greeted them with a smile. It became so popular that some even nicknamed Junior himself, “Buddy Buddy.” When I took the job with the Miami Dolphins, I was not surprised to hear their staff members refer to “Buddy Buddy” on occasion during his three years with the team.
My favorite memories of Junior, personally, were lasting ones. The way he’d shout out “Workday! Workday! Workday!” upon the start of practice, reminding everyone to take their preparation serious, echoes through my head every morning. Sometimes without thinking about it, I’ll repeat the same phrase to myself as I walk into the office today.
Seau also loved to wear hats off the field. During the week of Super Bowl XLII in Arizona, he insisted on wearing the same straw fedora. Whether it was on the field for team picture day on Saturday, or at the team’s private party held after the game, in all the pictures I have of him he is donning his famous headwear.
Regardless of all that he did on the field, his personality was truly one-of-a-kind outside of the lines. He was the type of person you’d want on any team, in football or in life.
We’ll certainly miss Buddy Buddy, Junior Seau. XOS would like to extend its condolences to all those affected by the death of Junior Seau, including its NFL partners the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers.
*Written by XOS Digital Jim Callahan, Customer Support Rep