Junior Seau

photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Tianina Baul Seau

Date of Birth: January 19, 1969

Place of Birth: Oceanside, San Diego, California, United States

Date of Death: May 2, 2012

Place of Death: Oceanside, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Samoan

Junior Seau was an American professional football player. He was a linebacker, who played with the San Diego Chargers, the Miami Dolphins, and the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6′3″, he weighed about 250 pounds.

He was the son of Luisa Mauga, who worked at Camp Pendleton and a laundromat, and Tiaina Seau, who worked at a rubber factory and was a school custodian. His family was from Aunu’u, American Samoa. His grandfather was a village chief in Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa. His family lived in American Samoa for several years during Junior’s childhood, later moving back to San Diego. He learned English when he was seven.

His nephew was professional football player Ian Seau. His cousin was professional football player and coach Pulu Poumele. He had a son with Melissa Waldrop, and three children with his former wife Gina Deboer.

Junior’s maternal grandfather’s surname was Fatu.