Sidney Seau’s speech was a powerful heart rendering of Junior Seau’s love for life and family. She told us about Junior Seau as her father and the powerful bond he established with his family. This young woman made Junior Seau come alive as a tremendously successful family man who embraced life, gave family and friends unconditional love and happy memories. Not to take away from his football accomplishments – Junior Seau’s is a “Super-Hero.” We know this because his beautiful daughter was able to articulate her memories in her speech to commemorate his induction into the Football Hall of Fame. She left us with a remarkable memory of her father. Thank you.
5
Beautiful speech, wish she had been able to give it as written
3
Sydney, what a beautiful speech. You have poise and grace beyond your years. There is no doubt that your Dad is looking down with pride.
2
There was a time when I dreaded seeing Mr. Seau on the football field. That time was whenever he was on the opposite side of the ball from my Pittsburgh Steelers. He almost single handedly cost us an AFC championship game a few years ago.
I'd write a little more, but after reading Sydney's beautiful speech, I seem to have something blurring my vision.
I'd write a little more, but after reading Sydney's beautiful speech, I seem to have something blurring my vision.
1
Oh my. Your Dad is quite a remarkable human being, Sydney, and from your grace and description of the love you and he shared, so are you. You honored your Dad even more, I think, than the HOF. Thank you for letting us know more about a remarkable father, and his remarkable daughter. And thank you, NYT, for providing the means to learn this.
1
NFL executives exhibit in their actions a total lack of emotion. They are empty and hollow inside. Policies, procedures, and the bottom line fill their suits, money falls out of their pockets.
What makes us human are people with true emotion like the brave, intelligent Sydney Seau. With all the negativity in this world, and the NFL acting without any sense of grace or humanity, Sydney Seau is a beacon for all of us to follow. What a missed opportunity Roger Goodell !! What a missed opportunity!!!
What makes us human are people with true emotion like the brave, intelligent Sydney Seau. With all the negativity in this world, and the NFL acting without any sense of grace or humanity, Sydney Seau is a beacon for all of us to follow. What a missed opportunity Roger Goodell !! What a missed opportunity!!!
1
Heartbreaking -- this lovely young woman should have been able to give this speech in person in Canton. Shame one you, Roger Goodell...
Sydney, your dad has to be very proud of you right now. I feel that the rule that you couldn't make the speech for your is a very stupid rule. Why can't a family member or even better a daughter or son be able to speak behalf of those inductees whom are no longer with us. I believe it to be kind of a slap in the face. Why not let her make that speech. What harm would it have done. Besides it was his wish for her to make it on his behalf. Now, even though i am a Giants fan all my life. But i am also a fan of great players and your dad was a great talent and one of the best of all time at his position. Even though i believe he could've played just about any position he wanted to. I'm a very big fan of his. God bless you, may he rest in peace!
Wonderful speech. They should have let her give it. It is a great testament to her father and the NFL would feel better about it now.
2
Congrats to The NYT for giving Sydney the forum to honor her father..She was articulate, honorific, and a tremendous legacy to her father's memory.
3
Thank you, Ms. Seau. Your words are thoughtful, insightful and moving. I learned more from you about your father in just a few minutes than I could have ever learned in hours from anyone else. The NFL's desire to control the narrative solely in order to manage its brand is truly shameful.
1
Considering all we have heard about Junior Seau saying before he died "if" he makes the Hall of Fame, this simple-but-brilliant ending to his Daughter's HoF nonspeech just cannot be beat:
"Congratulations, Dad; you made it."
RIP
"Congratulations, Dad; you made it."
RIP
3
This is what I posted to Facebook as I forwarded this article to Facebook:
The NFL really doesn't have any class anymore. It's just a profit machine obsessed with ratings and dollars. Last year, I essentially boycotted the NFL because of Michael Vick and the New York Jets, but also because of their consistent naysaying and obstruction regarding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and witch-hunting on non-issues. I hope the mothers of North America realize that, more than any other sport, contact football will most endanger your kids. Regardless of what your kids' father(s) say, don't let you kids play football and just become another CTE stat and cog in the football profit machine.
The NFL really doesn't have any class anymore. It's just a profit machine obsessed with ratings and dollars. Last year, I essentially boycotted the NFL because of Michael Vick and the New York Jets, but also because of their consistent naysaying and obstruction regarding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and witch-hunting on non-issues. I hope the mothers of North America realize that, more than any other sport, contact football will most endanger your kids. Regardless of what your kids' father(s) say, don't let you kids play football and just become another CTE stat and cog in the football profit machine.
3
That is an amazingly graceful speech for so young a woman. I'm sure your father he would be SO PROUD of you and that you brought him joy that he was never able to express. You should have been allowed to give this speech. For the many who suffer from a range of serious and debilitating diseases as the result of the game they loved so well, it would have meant so much to many of them. Blessings on you. Have a wonderful life.
3
God bless you Dear Sydney,
My God, what a beautiful thing you have done blessing your father. What a great honor you have bestowed on him forever. Much, Much love for you and your family. You are 1 in a Million.
Sincerely,
Mark
My God, what a beautiful thing you have done blessing your father. What a great honor you have bestowed on him forever. Much, Much love for you and your family. You are 1 in a Million.
Sincerely,
Mark
2
I'm in tears Sydney. Your father would be just so proud.
2
Such a beautiful, touching tribute, presented with such grace, poise, and love. His daughter is as much a tribute to the man as his hall of fame career. So many men succeed on the football field but fail as fathers and husbands. We salute you, Junior, as a player--and, perhaps even more important, as an exemplary human being!
3
Sydney, I know your dad would be so proud of you. I am also so proud of the New York Times for making sure Sydney's tribute was heard in full.
2
For all that Junior Seau gave to the game of football, he deserved better than to have his daughter denied the opportunity to give the speech he hoped she would make.
5
A warm, genuine and unfortunately heart-wrenching, yet apolitical tribute from Junior Seau's loving daughter. Shame on the NFL for not having let her deliver the speech to the audience at Canton upon her late father's post-humous induction into the Hall of Fame. Without meaning to play Monday morning quarterback here, couldn't the NFL have read the text of the speech ahead of time, realized that it was harmless and plain heartfelt, and only then have made the (proper) decision??
1
Sydney, Your courage, your remarkable insite and your love for your father shines bright in our land. Your dad's light could not have been brighter at the induction ceremony. God bless you and your family.
12
Beautiful. Junior Seau would have been proud. Is proud. Many here in Hawaii, of course, always thought of him as one of us. I would have liked to have heard him strumming the ukulele and singing off-key. You can’t get more local than that.
Thank you to The Times for presenting this.
Thank you to The Times for presenting this.
8
I saw a lot of your fathers career every weekend on highlights . And from a city with great linebackers he was sooooo good. But from this speech you wanted to give it shows that he was even a better father and friend which is so hard to believe. Thank You and your FATHER for all that
1
Over the years, I have gone from playing and watching football to wishing it would disappear from American culture.
Hope they change his Wiki page, seems like a lot of lies were written on it when it came to the autopsy of his death.
C'mon, NYTimes. From reading your previous article on the subject, it became clear to me that the NFL was not singling out Junior Seau's family by not allowing the speech. Their policy, held for years, of showing a longer video for deceased players inducted into the Hall of Fame, instead of allowing someone to speak on their behalf, makes sense to me. Regardless of how good his daughter's speech would have been, or their treatment of players with brain injuries, your coverage on this particular event has been needlessly inflammatory.
2
Thank you NY Times, I cannot believe the NL did not allow this beautiful moving tribute to be read. What a bunch of cowards, ninnies and pinheads. What a fabulous tribute to a man, a father and player. Shame on you NFL and bless the Seau family.
2
Is NFL becoming a disgusting organization like NRA? What a stupid mistake?
2
This was such a great speech given by a kind and generous daughter. I'm sure Junior would be very proud of the way his daughter loved him and showed how much she did in this speech. This is a very touching story and it breaks my heart to know that she couldn't actually deliver the speech due to the policy. Although she wasn't able to, she still wanted to make sure that her dad heard this even if he wasn't with her. Her dad truly loved the sport and she knew he deserved to be in the Hall of Fame. She acknowledged her father not only for his hard work in the NFL but also for being a great father.
6
I hope every single person connected to the Hall of Fame is ashamed for preventing her from giving this speech. The NFL needs to seriously rethink their rules ... not a lot of people will forget them for this slight, this cruelty to this girl.. the daughter of a Hall of Fame player.Shame on the NFL .
9
So the NFL HoF is so worried about the issue of player safety, especially the debilitating head injuries that Junior Seau has come to represent, that they will mute a tribute such as this for fear of negative publicity? That indeed speaks volumes about the magnitude of the issue of player safety.
17
Wow, the Hall of Fame really blew it. That could have been one of the most beautiful and important moments in the history of the Hall of Fame.
9
What an extraordinary and courageous young woman. With a beautiful disposition that shows no trace of anger or bitterness, though we would understand if she felt these, given the damage and health effects her father suffered during and after his NFL career. I hope that time brings many joys to Sydney.
9
Having the speech here, in the New York Times, both in print and video, means a *whole* lot more people will be aware of it, and it's loving message, than if Sydney had presented this in Canton, OH. The NFLs loss, and our gain. But then again, the NFL seems to be losing a lot these days. This is just another example of poor decision making by the guys in the suits.
15
Outrageous.
Junior Seau died with and because of CTE. Seau was and still is the face of this disease that the NFL worked so hard to keep in the dark, despite the swell of evidence that had come to their attention. And then for the NFL to essentially dismiss CTE as pseudoscience right until public opinion aligned with that of the scientific community. As if this hadn't been insult enough to Seau and his family.
Provided the repulsive underhanded action of the NFL in regards to the autopsy of Seau's brain in 2012 (which ultimately diagnosed him with CTE), the lack of any consideration for Seau's family and his very own wishes on this final occasion leaves me utterly dumbstruck.
A heatfelt thanks to those at the NYTimes for publishing this.
Junior Seau died with and because of CTE. Seau was and still is the face of this disease that the NFL worked so hard to keep in the dark, despite the swell of evidence that had come to their attention. And then for the NFL to essentially dismiss CTE as pseudoscience right until public opinion aligned with that of the scientific community. As if this hadn't been insult enough to Seau and his family.
Provided the repulsive underhanded action of the NFL in regards to the autopsy of Seau's brain in 2012 (which ultimately diagnosed him with CTE), the lack of any consideration for Seau's family and his very own wishes on this final occasion leaves me utterly dumbstruck.
A heatfelt thanks to those at the NYTimes for publishing this.
3
Thank you, Sydney. You are lovely and so was your father.
2
Beautiful and moving speech by a daughter about her father. Thank you, Sydney.
7
Wow, Sydney. If Junior contributed to the beautiful, brilliant, and heartful person you have become, I'm sure he was a Hall of Fame Dad. But some of the credit is surely yours as well. You are incredible in your own right! Thanks for an awesome speech.
17
I'm glad the New York Times honors our first amendment rights and am sorry that the NFL is too frightened of a brave young woman sharing her grief, loss and love with us to allow her that same privilege. It was their Hall of Shame moment, but I and others have gained from listening to the grace of her eulogy demonstrating that the greatest gift a father can ever give his daughter is love. May that reservoir of love he left Sydney help heal her wounds.
6
She should have been allowed to speak. I wouldn't have minded. Hearing her junior seau. And tony gwynn are San Diego to me
6
Why is it that the NFL highlights the wrong issues lately? The Junior Seau story is more important and meaningful than any Tom Brady headline.
Thank you NYT for publishing this story. Fantastic job Sydney - your dad would have been proud!
15
In the moments to present this beautiful heartfelt speech of congratulations to her father’s accomplishments on the football field and field of life, Sydney Seau has demonstrated both her love and more courage than Roger Goodell has or will ever in his entire lifetime. As such Junior Seau lives on and Commissioner Goodell shrinks further from existence.
12
Greater than any accomplishment, on any sports field is the legacy of a child that exudes class, intelect and grace. Well done Mr. Seau, well done.
21
The NFL brand is once again tainted by the disgrace of it's inept Commissioner.
3
How Wonderful, and yet how sickening that the NFL MANAGEMENT & Pro Football HOF management would deny this to be presented at this Man's induction. His daughter did not mention ANYTHING about his illness, caused by playing this violent game that we all love to watch. She should have been given this opportunity, and the people who denied her are tasteless & uncaring greedy people"
3
The NFL should be ashamed of themselves for not allowing this perfect speech.
7
If this is the real Jim Jensen I hope you are in good health. My father and I cheered for you during every one of the years you played... you always played with all of your heart. I only hope that you have not suffered too many physical consequences from this modern-day gladiator sport...one that I am increasingly questioning whether I should continue to support!
1
I've lost interest in professional football for several reasons. The most obvious are the physical and health risks players are put through. Players suffer bone crushing losses, severe concussions, decreasing life expectancies all for what, pleasing their fans and coaches? Mick Tingelhoff finally gets inducted to the hall of fame but cannot make a speech due to his state of dementia.
Now, the rules of the game have changed to discredit its integrity. I was astonished to find out the balls are not inflated to the same pressure as in other sports. Thus, players like Tom Brady rewrite these rules just to take advantage of them. A lack of integrity and cheating and player mistreatment has done it for me. Life is more important than a flawed sporting event.
Now, the rules of the game have changed to discredit its integrity. I was astonished to find out the balls are not inflated to the same pressure as in other sports. Thus, players like Tom Brady rewrite these rules just to take advantage of them. A lack of integrity and cheating and player mistreatment has done it for me. Life is more important than a flawed sporting event.
3
The mentality and culture embedded in the NFL and, by extension, the HOF, has now become painfully apparent and public to us football loving fans. The insensitivity and downright aggressively stupid choice of not letting Junior's daughter speak at his induction is a cowardly act. An act that proves it's time to think twice about supporting a league that is showing time and again it would be down the list if it was listed as a country with human rights abuses.
3
The Football Hall of Fame has disgraced itself. The NFL machine can say what it wants, but the truth is known and football as we know it will be gone in 20 years. This woman's courage is greater than all those who own the league and or run it. Shame on them!
15
THIS is the speech the HOF/NFL was afraid of? Shame on them. If anything, it is an ode to the man AND the sport. Shame.
18
The NFL is disgusting. Just one more reason I will continue to never watch another game.
3
The Hall of Fame may have prevented this beautiful memorial to be read at their induction ceremony, but by publishing it in the NY Times it has and will reach thousands more than would have ever heard it. Thank you NY Times for delivering justice when it was denied.
12
What is wrong with having her read this?
Another egregious error by our so-called leaders, executives and people-in-charge.
We really have become hard-hearted in this country. Coupled with having no sense, that is a dangerous combination.
Fight On!, Junior and Sydney!
Another egregious error by our so-called leaders, executives and people-in-charge.
We really have become hard-hearted in this country. Coupled with having no sense, that is a dangerous combination.
Fight On!, Junior and Sydney!
14
As a former resident of North County San Diego, I view this a tribute to the Seau's impact on the community. My friends always said growing up, "Oh, everyone knows a Seau." Not to simply point out that his family was present throughout the area, but rather to emphasize that he, and his family, had a large impact on the community-at-large. Many kids were inspired, and the community rallied together around his name. (Oceanside, and many areas of the County (to an extent) are impacted by the drastic social and economic stratification seen in the greater San Diego County and the military and naval presence.)
I may be held by this perspective, but I personally do not care for football. So, it is no surprise to see many upset.
I may be held by this perspective, but I personally do not care for football. So, it is no surprise to see many upset.
1
Furthermore, I would like to add that San Diego doesn't deserve the treatment and political meandering of late by the NFL (and related industries). Bypassing public and expert opinion, holding hostage local politics for stadium, streamlining the environmental regulations so needed for the sake of efficiency, et. al.
However, I'm just one voice among many.
However, I'm just one voice among many.
2
A gloriously loving speech.
The NFL owners & administrators should be cringing in shame & embarrassment. But, they aren't, of course...
The NFL owners & administrators should be cringing in shame & embarrassment. But, they aren't, of course...
10
Absolutely beautiful. Shame on the NFL, YOU HEARTLESS COWARDS. It is not your day, it is that of the Athletes, their families and friends. How dare you strip them of their dignity, and the true celebration and honoring of their achievements.
13
The NFL does not want to draw any spotlight on the fact that head injuries are a way of life if you play football. These injuries have debilitating effects on players usually more severe in later years at the end of careers. These brain traumas begin in early years of football play, junior high, pop warner and progress through high school, college and professional leagues. They are not reversible and professional football as well as other football does not want them acknowledged because of the money the team owners, media, etc. make from the game. Again it is all about money a sad commentary on our population.
19
You are a class act, Sydney!
9
Wow. What a tribute. Beautifully done. Junior would be proud.
11
Typical behavior for just another capitalist, For Profit, money generator disguised as an all American pastime. Big Sports Inc. or the Industrial-Sports Complex is much akin to the days of the Roman gladiators.....injury & death simply for Joe Sixpack's entertainment & the enrichment of Oligarchs.
The uncreative mind always drifts to things of little importance in life. Dancing with the Stars, the Super Bowl, World Series, monster trucks, dog fighting, planting the Confederate flag on the back of your truck while what little thinking that's done is about how to make more money in a country ruled by Oligarchs. Trust me, they aren't your friend.
You might know who scored such & such touchdown back in 1978 but do you know your kid's favorite color or what they did last week? Do you ever wonder what Congress is doing? Do you know the difference between a good candidate or a bad one?
Do you remember the US has been at war for over 14 years? Who is your Senator? How will you afford cable TV or the price of a ticket to your favorite sporting event/(Profit generator) when all the good jobs are gone & you make 33 cents per hour?
Go ahead & be offended & all huffy over a grieving girl who wanted to speak about her dead Daddy. Just remember when you die the N.F.L, that you've wasted your lifetime supporting won't even send your family a sympathy card. You've made them filthy rich & this is the thanks you get!
The uncreative mind always drifts to things of little importance in life. Dancing with the Stars, the Super Bowl, World Series, monster trucks, dog fighting, planting the Confederate flag on the back of your truck while what little thinking that's done is about how to make more money in a country ruled by Oligarchs. Trust me, they aren't your friend.
You might know who scored such & such touchdown back in 1978 but do you know your kid's favorite color or what they did last week? Do you ever wonder what Congress is doing? Do you know the difference between a good candidate or a bad one?
Do you remember the US has been at war for over 14 years? Who is your Senator? How will you afford cable TV or the price of a ticket to your favorite sporting event/(Profit generator) when all the good jobs are gone & you make 33 cents per hour?
Go ahead & be offended & all huffy over a grieving girl who wanted to speak about her dead Daddy. Just remember when you die the N.F.L, that you've wasted your lifetime supporting won't even send your family a sympathy card. You've made them filthy rich & this is the thanks you get!
12
This is a beautiful speech and would have honored the sport and the occasion had she given it at the podium.
As a confirmed hater of the NFL as currently administered, I am glad to see that the sport has once again caused a public backlash beyond their control by showing their true colors and being clueless. In my opinion, the sooner that the angry hordes rise up and march on the palace, the better.
But I am also concerned by the sense of manipulative enterprise that lies beneath the publishing of a story such as this in the way it was published. I am gratified that Sydney Seau's true voice was ultimately heard, but there's a sense that this whole thing was timed and scripted to adroitly tap into the wave of negative sentiment that is cresting over the sport at the moment.
A headline like "The Hall of Fame Speech Junior Seau's Daughter Couldn't Give" does not do appropriate justice to the heartfelt content of her message. The headline is not that far removed from something like "The Dashcam Video That The Police Don't Want You To See". Seau's family and NYT readers who follow the sport with great concern deserve a higher editorial standard than that.
Pro football is currently so adept at creating and expanding its own misery and misfortune that it doesn't need anyone else's help in that area. There's no need for the NYT to be overly opportunistic as I sense it was in this case. The sport will provide all the opportunities an eager editor could hope for.
As a confirmed hater of the NFL as currently administered, I am glad to see that the sport has once again caused a public backlash beyond their control by showing their true colors and being clueless. In my opinion, the sooner that the angry hordes rise up and march on the palace, the better.
But I am also concerned by the sense of manipulative enterprise that lies beneath the publishing of a story such as this in the way it was published. I am gratified that Sydney Seau's true voice was ultimately heard, but there's a sense that this whole thing was timed and scripted to adroitly tap into the wave of negative sentiment that is cresting over the sport at the moment.
A headline like "The Hall of Fame Speech Junior Seau's Daughter Couldn't Give" does not do appropriate justice to the heartfelt content of her message. The headline is not that far removed from something like "The Dashcam Video That The Police Don't Want You To See". Seau's family and NYT readers who follow the sport with great concern deserve a higher editorial standard than that.
Pro football is currently so adept at creating and expanding its own misery and misfortune that it doesn't need anyone else's help in that area. There's no need for the NYT to be overly opportunistic as I sense it was in this case. The sport will provide all the opportunities an eager editor could hope for.
8
I hope the men who decided Sydney couldn't give this speech are feeling ashamed of themselves.
12
Sydney, what a poignant tribute to your father. If Junior never had touched a football he would still be in the Dad HoF. He's surely strumming his uke and looking down lovingly on you and your family.
24
I'm not sure how many years it will take, or how many deaths and disabilities... but I feel confident the NFL and professional football will one day be added to the heap of activities which only in hindsight are recognized as barbaric and harmful.
What a disgusting organization and grotesque leadership.
What a disgusting organization and grotesque leadership.
9
You believe that the NFL is all bad and that this was such a nice speech, so why was the NFL so difficult? Be aware that Sydney Seau went on 60 Minutes with her brother and attacked the NFL for the $4 million settlement offered to the family. That, of course is her perfect right, but having used the national media once to attack the NFL, it was reasonable for the NFL to put conditions on her speech. We don't know if this speech is the same as her Hall speech. It may have been toned down for effect. But it is certain she was coached through all of this by the family lawyer -- that's his job. There are tens of millions of dollars at stake here, for the Seaus and the NFL. Those who have nothing but sympathy for the Seaus and nothing but scorn for the NFL have been manipulated by a highly skilled personal injury lawyer. Shame on you for being so naive,
2
The N.F.L. should not have censored Ms. Seau's speech, but the N.F.L. has its right to adopt and enforce its policies to protect its reputation or even to enforce its bigotries, just as the New York Times (NYT) has. I know that the NYT censors comments that are decent, civil, and reasonable, yet which offend the prejudices of its editors, because it, through its representatives, has censored some of my comments, which were well within the ambit of what is decent, civil, and reasonable but which offended the NYT.
Censorship aside, let's focus on Junior Seau, one of the N.F.L.'s great players. I, unlike a great many of the New York Time's readers, editors, and reporters, am an avid fan of football, so I know of Junior Seau. Ms. Seau captures her father's passionate and ferocious approach to the game here: “In every situation — whether it be practice, a game, . . . — he always gave you all of himself because to him, there was never any other option.” For Junior Seau that mean hitting ferociously and with his head, spearing opposing players, and inflicting punishment with that tactic, which was then within the rules.
But recognizing the harm that players can suffer, the N.F.L. no longer permits the spearing that Junior Seau did and punishes in ways that make it counterproductive for players to do. It remains to be seen whether that change in the rules will be enough to protect players from neurological injuries, but it is believed that it will be.
Censorship aside, let's focus on Junior Seau, one of the N.F.L.'s great players. I, unlike a great many of the New York Time's readers, editors, and reporters, am an avid fan of football, so I know of Junior Seau. Ms. Seau captures her father's passionate and ferocious approach to the game here: “In every situation — whether it be practice, a game, . . . — he always gave you all of himself because to him, there was never any other option.” For Junior Seau that mean hitting ferociously and with his head, spearing opposing players, and inflicting punishment with that tactic, which was then within the rules.
But recognizing the harm that players can suffer, the N.F.L. no longer permits the spearing that Junior Seau did and punishes in ways that make it counterproductive for players to do. It remains to be seen whether that change in the rules will be enough to protect players from neurological injuries, but it is believed that it will be.
1
You are a wonderful advocate of corporate "droit du seigneur." Perhaps they should be permitted to buy elections, too.
Go into the supermarket, and pick up some, say crab salad, or any processed food with an identifiable theme. Look on the label. In the case of crab salad, the first ingredient is crab. No matter that 77% of the stuff inside is not crab -- crab is the plurality ingredient, and that's how the lobbyists wrote the law. Evidently, the manufacturer "has its right to adopt and enforce its policies to protect its reputation or even to enforce its bigotries" because it is a person and enjoys freedom of speech.
A major risk to freedom in this country is the ability of rich corporations and individuals to control the dialog, to manufacture truth of their choosing, and to drown out dissent, reason, and science, when the message is not to their liking.
Go into the supermarket, and pick up some, say crab salad, or any processed food with an identifiable theme. Look on the label. In the case of crab salad, the first ingredient is crab. No matter that 77% of the stuff inside is not crab -- crab is the plurality ingredient, and that's how the lobbyists wrote the law. Evidently, the manufacturer "has its right to adopt and enforce its policies to protect its reputation or even to enforce its bigotries" because it is a person and enjoys freedom of speech.
A major risk to freedom in this country is the ability of rich corporations and individuals to control the dialog, to manufacture truth of their choosing, and to drown out dissent, reason, and science, when the message is not to their liking.
As a USC graduate, and former collegiate Track and Field Athlete, I feel a brotherhood and admiration for Junior Seau. A professional career is a pinnacle achievement for a minority in America, and gives us a leadership role in our family, community, and acceptability in our country. Junior Seau gave his life for his family, community, and equality in his country. Much love brother, Fight on!, Valhalla baby!
6
'Junior Seau gave his life for his family, community, equality in this country'? What nonsense. Get your priorities straight. If Seau had had the choice, are we to believe he would have 'given his life'? For a game?
This is the NFL today, afraid of a 15 year old girl who loved her father. Perhaps they learned something from her dignity, courage and in the beautiful way she honored her father.
But I doubt it.
But I doubt it.
27
These are the kinds of stories that are making me completley lose interest in the NFL.They made a huge mistake not letting this young lady speak at the HOF ceremony. NFL self destructing before our very eyes.
5
Thank you for having the courage and sensitivity to publish this beautiful tribute.
3
She is an honor to her father and her family. A beautiful speech.
5
We need to get over the fantasy that the N.F.L. and M.L.B. (or Apple, Facebook, and Google for that matter) are different from other cartels and corporations. Just because we may like their products, it does not mean they are better, nicer, more honest, more fair, more open than CitiBank, Blackwater, and Goldman Sachs. They are there to make money, and anything else is just pretty wrapping paper and public relations to sell their products.
No more than the banks take responsibility for actions leading to the economic collapse, no more than oil drillers take responsibility for pollution, no more than cigarette companies take responsibility for addicting people will the N.F.L. take responsibility for concussions or M.L.B. take responsibility for steroid use. The thing they all share in common -- in addition to not taking responsibility -- is that in each case they were aware of and consciously promoted these things before they became public scandals.
No more than the banks take responsibility for actions leading to the economic collapse, no more than oil drillers take responsibility for pollution, no more than cigarette companies take responsibility for addicting people will the N.F.L. take responsibility for concussions or M.L.B. take responsibility for steroid use. The thing they all share in common -- in addition to not taking responsibility -- is that in each case they were aware of and consciously promoted these things before they became public scandals.
8
See NFL there was nothing to be afraid of. Not only were your worst fears not realized, Sydney delivered a wonderful speech, one worthy of the honor paid to her father, one worthy of The Hall, and one, in honoring her father, was worthy of him.
14
Since Seau was likely aware he had brain damage and aware he was going to kill himself when he asked his daughter to speak for him, wouldn't we think he had expected her to speak about the ironies of touting a man who became good at a sport which took his life half way through?
Junior Seau's greatest legacy seem to his tremendous skills as a parent to these children. He would be so proud of his remarkable daughter and we should be too. She is a little miracle of survival. Her courage and resolve humble all us all. I hope wherever Junior Seau is right now his soul is at peace and that he didn't suffer in vain.
31
Good call, NFL and your minions. Could've had a beautiful, poignant moment delivered by a man who was beloved inside the sport and out, and who literally gave his life to glorify your game.
But hey, at least you bravely protected a 5-year-old policy.
But hey, at least you bravely protected a 5-year-old policy.
56
*delivered by the daughter of a man...
Sydney, Junior was so fortunate to have a daughter like you. You have touched many hearts today, and I have to admit I shed a few tears. Thank you. And thank you NY Times.
11
I agree. Very moving and brave, Sydney. I loved watching your dad play. I loved the speech you delivered. I loved seeing the love flow from the audience members in attendance at the ceremony. Kudos to all!
2
Just as Sydney Seau chose not to include the awful last years of her father's life in her courageous and soulful tribute to him, we should choose not to make a political issue out of the NFL Hall of Fame's induction of this great player. Sydney was heard after all, and she did him a great service by focusing on the positive things that are to become his legacy, most importantly the foundation in his name, and the fact that his most valuable asset was not so much his mind (tragically damaged by the very sport that gave him so much joy and opportunity) - but his heart. You made a great life for yourself, your family and your community as well as for your fans, Junior, exemplified by your daughter's poise and grace in honoring that life. May you rest in our knowledge that your suffering was not in vain.
17
What an incredibly eloquent tribute. Well said, Sydney.
Thanks for sharing insights into your Hall of Fame Dad.
Thanks for sharing insights into your Hall of Fame Dad.
7
A phenomenal tribute from daughter to father. That the NFL would not allow her to give this speech, is simply unforgiveable.
Speaking as a life long football fan, I'm left cold, and disturbed.
As a father, and fellow human being, I will do some deep soul searching before I watch another NFL game.
Speaking as a life long football fan, I'm left cold, and disturbed.
As a father, and fellow human being, I will do some deep soul searching before I watch another NFL game.
23
If the NFL was a bowl game it would be The Toilet Bowl. Their incessant deceptions, cover-ups, misdirection, lies, cheating scandals, drug abuses, and outright "fan fraud" by harboring rapists, violent women beaters, vehicular killers, and other types of bonafide criminals is not only despicable but a sad commentary on what Americans let them get away with. They didn't want Jr.'s daughter to speak because they "can't handle the truth" - most of the deceased hall of famers" deaths were totally preventable and the NFL knew it a long time ago. Football used to be a sport. Now its just a cash cow, a deflated legend, a money-mongering charade, a ruthless pursuit of profits by any and all means necessary and a theater for overpaid, prancing and preening prima donas masquerading as "professional" athletes. At least the NCAA is still a vestige of the game - albeit a fleeting one - while the entire executive NFL belongs in The Hall of Shame (sorry Knute).
19
How many more ways can the National Football League spit upon its players, spit upon its fans...
17
Don't get them started by thinking about it!
1
I grew up watching Junior Seau. He was one of my favorite players and I enjoyed watching him play. The moment I learned that he put a bullet through his own heart was when I stopped enjoying watching football. I cried imagining the suffering that must have brought him to that moment.
19
My daughter and I were in Canton last night. Sydney was "interviewed" in lieu of allowing her to speak, and the rumor had been circulating around the venue all day that she had been prohibited from speaking openly about his condition by the NFL. And whether that was exactly true or not, she didn't address it. It didn't matter. Her interview resonated more than a direct speech about concussions among football players ever could. With grace and dignity, but clearly with overwhelming emotion, she spoke about her dad with such love and such grief that we all understood the underlying meaning of her words. The world lost a good man. A family lost their dad. There's no trade off for that. There was not a dry eye in the house.
31
Sad story! The daughter has maintained on different occasions that her father was the first Samoan inducted into the Hall. He was born & raised in the San Diego area. This makes him American foremost which is never mentioned. If he was a true Samoan who never made it to these shores we would have never heard of him! America gave him his opportunity! RIP Junior!
2
???? He played 20 years with a talent that was loaned by someone else (America?). You sound like Donald Trump.
3
I'm glad the Hall (NFL) kept her from speaking. It's likely I wouldn't have heard her speech otherwise. I loved her father when played with Patriots. He was impassioned and seemingly genuinely humble. His suicide grieves me. In the negative space of every word spoken of Seau's football life and passing is the unspoken cause of his death: CTE.
10
She did speak at the Hall of Fame. I do not understand why this is pitched as a story of a speech that did not happen. Listen to the version at the Hall of Fame. It is quite similar. Share the differences, if anything. What is not discussed in either speech (in an overt way) is how and why he died and the role of the NFL in NOT protecting their players during their playing days and thereafter. Listen to the Hall of Fame speech. Love is present. One missing piece I believe is that Seau went back to school. Write about that. Santana did too. So did others. Education....education....education.
3
A commenter above said that a version appeared on a private network but not at the ceremony itself.
My Goddaughter received the Junior Seau scholarship award that helped her go to college. She was the first in her family to do so and graduated from Boston University three years ago because of his generosity. She now is a professional actress living in New York and was just mentioned in the New York Times theater section for her performance in "Comedy of Errors." Junior Seau saw the promise in this African American girl and helped her achieve her dream. Just like he helped so many others, and, even after his passing, continues to do so. Thank you to the Seau family.
29
People are surprised as to the content of the speech and its lack of mentioning CTE, but Sydney chose to honor her father and his accomplishments and the man he was. The NFL in its zealotry to avoid, hide, crush all mention of CTE, the elephant on the field, did nothing more than continue to crush its players and families. The reason? Fear. Fear that at long last the American public might better come to understand that its heroes on Sundays are killing themselves and causing brain damage each and every week. For this, they would do anything to cover up the truth even crush a daughter's tribute.
9
To the New York Times - thank you for publishing this moving memory by Junior Seau's daughter.
To the Hall Of Fame - shame on you for not allowing her to deliver this speech and for demeaning his induction by doing so. Because of that I shall always think of you as the Hall Of Shame
To the Hall Of Fame - shame on you for not allowing her to deliver this speech and for demeaning his induction by doing so. Because of that I shall always think of you as the Hall Of Shame
7
The NFL erred in not reversing their five year old policy of only allowing the inductee to speak - as the jury will see this as another example of the NFL being callous and not having the best interest of their players- and award the family higher damages for his brain injuries. Junior Seau gave his life to the game of football - and the NFL should have allowed his daughter to speak on his behalf. They could have reviewed her speech in advance - but chose to be jerks- and for that they will pay. These brain injuries have to be dealt with - as it isn't normal for a 43 yr old man to commit suicide. He should have been honored - instead they dishonored him. Disgusting
14
What a great legacy to have a daughter's love and respect. Godspeed Junior.
8
Wow. What a remarkable young woman. Much for Junior to be proud of in his magnificent on-field achievements over 20 (!) years...but they pale next to the fact he left us this amazing person to continue his legacy. Bravo.
....& (again) shame on the NFL
....& (again) shame on the NFL
12
Gee..a 5 year history by the NFL. How about starting with a year of truth, honesty and fair play?
3
I last played football in August 1970, when my right knee was injured in a tackling drill. It happened during twice-a-day "summer session" practice just before my sophomore year in high school began. The atmosphere at that practice was like Parris Island in the Marine Corps. Looking back, I was lucky to have only a knee injury. American football has become increasingly violent over the years and its continued popularity is another negative commentary on US culture.
14
As a parent, to have your child say these things about you - what more can you ever accomplish in your life that matches this?
12
aw, come on NFL, let a family member speak on behalf of the winner for heavens sake. I mean, what's the deal, man?
8
I was at the ceremony in the press box. You had a writer there. You guys should know, especially if you covered the event that Sydney did give her speech. The Hall of Fame did allow her to speak. I can't believe this archive wasn't deleted, because this is flat out wrong.
1
Under pressure, the Hall of Fame last week said it would give Sydney Seau a chance to speak at the ceremony, but only in a television interview controlled by the NFL Network. She was not allowed to give a speech on behalf of her father. What The New York Times published was the speech, in its entirety, that she had hoped to give at the lectern on Saturday night.
41
Why is protecting a silly, greedy, corrupt institution like the NFL more important to you than human decency?
The NFL didn't allow her to take the podium and deliver the speech. Period. Who cares what else it did? The game literally took the woman's father from her. It gave Junior Seau and his family a lot, too, but this was an obvious occasion to allow an exception to whatever all-important policy was in place.
And the NFL refused. There is no defense for that.
The NFL didn't allow her to take the podium and deliver the speech. Period. Who cares what else it did? The game literally took the woman's father from her. It gave Junior Seau and his family a lot, too, but this was an obvious occasion to allow an exception to whatever all-important policy was in place.
And the NFL refused. There is no defense for that.
5
If you were there, how could you think that this written speech is the same one that she delivered at the ceremony?
1
She did give an emotional speech in Canton. Here is link to it.
http://www.chargers.com/video/2015/08/09/sydney-seaus-emotional-speech-c...
http://www.chargers.com/video/2015/08/09/sydney-seaus-emotional-speech-c...
2
Although on the Sports Pages, this article was very illuminating to me. Firstly, I was in Canton yesterday at the ceremony. Sydney did speak after a moving video. Wild standing ovation, and further mention of her Father by other speakers. This is an example of the yellow journalism of the NY Times, for agenda driven promotion. Anyone who pays for or believes the pages of this fish wrap is really a sucker. Lest you think the Times is offering anything unusual here, dream on to your delusional political correct robotic sheep mentality.
10
It's very simple, could she give the speech her father requested or not? The answer is that she could not.
I'm not sure what's more disgusting, the NFL or people who feel compelled to defend its disgusting behavior.
I'm not sure what's more disgusting, the NFL or people who feel compelled to defend its disgusting behavior.
2
Did she give this same speech? If so, I would like to see an explanation by the NYTimes
1
Just to be clear, are you saying she gave this speech or just said something? If it's the former, the NY Times obviously made a mistake. If it's the latter, this sounds like typical political lying by omission.
1
It's a beautiful speech Sydney, you brought tears to my eyes. Although you were able to provide portions of this speech during your 'interview', we all wish you had been given the opportunity to present that emotional message in it's entirety. Your father was a special football player and a special man, so deserving of this honor. Clearly he was a special father, and that legacy would make him most proud. He will always hold a special place in the heart of New Englanders.
Thank you NYT for allowing us the opportunity to watch and read Sydney deliver Junior Seau's HOF induction speech -- as was his wish. It's sad to me that the executive leadership of the NFL decided not to honor Junior Seau's wish, compromising with an 'interview'. This type of ceremony is for the player, their families, their friends, and the fans -- yet again, another poor decision by executive leadership of the NFL NOT to allow Sydney Seau the opportunity to deliver the full speech at the podium. Always trying to cover up the truth -- when will the current leadership of the NFL learn there is much more to be gained in transparency and facing reality?
Thank you NYT for allowing us the opportunity to watch and read Sydney deliver Junior Seau's HOF induction speech -- as was his wish. It's sad to me that the executive leadership of the NFL decided not to honor Junior Seau's wish, compromising with an 'interview'. This type of ceremony is for the player, their families, their friends, and the fans -- yet again, another poor decision by executive leadership of the NFL NOT to allow Sydney Seau the opportunity to deliver the full speech at the podium. Always trying to cover up the truth -- when will the current leadership of the NFL learn there is much more to be gained in transparency and facing reality?
19
As usual the NFL proves that they don't deserve the trust has been placed in them by the fans, the players, and the country. The NFL like any corporation lacks a soul (even if they are people my friends). If they had a soul they would have let his daughter give her speech. It was a moving speech. It would have highlighted through its grace and beauty the NFL's dirtiest least best kept secret, that it is killing its players.
21
What a terrific, moving speech! Truly from and of the "heart." Shame on the NFL. Junior Seau gave them his heart and they stole his mind. They could at least have the human decency to hear the passionate and loving words of a daughter he left behind. Thank you Sydney for sharing your love. It is the greatest gift anyone can give and receive.
17
Bravo NYTimes! More people will hear her heart-felt speech here than at the ceremony.
15
Just want you to know that we are listening to you, hear the love you have for you Dad and the honor he brought to your family.
20
The danger in letting her speak is that she could have gone off script and said "C.T.E" -- which would be like allowing the word "cancer" to be spoken at a convention of cigarette execs, or giving the podium to Galileo back in 16th Century Rome.
91
I wouldn't have minded her saying "CTE" as long as she and others had also talked about the widespread drug use that has allowed players to grow to massive size while still being strong and fast. We know that many of these drugs can have toxic effects on the brain. If the family members of deceased players want to pretend that drug use didn't and doesn't exist, fine, but stop pretending then that you are telling the full truth.
I stopped following football as I saw the toll of injuries mount. Shoving a stadium down Minneapolis' throat confirmed my decision, one I share in the Minneapolis taxi I drive to any one who will listen. The refusal to allow Ms. Seau to speak makes me more passionate.
66
Both my parents are dead, and so I understand and appreciate grief. I empathize completely with Ms. Seau.
What is remarkable is that she comes across as completely unaware of why her father died, and the manner in which he chose to commit suicide.
Her father was a gladiator in a sport that cherishes the concussion, something that is now euphemistically referred to as a "really big hit."
His life proved in explicit terms that he wasn't in fact "superhuman." Mr. Seau was all too human, and suffered from and was consumed by the brain injuries he incurred during his playing days.
I regret that Ms. Seau didn't use this platform to educate others who do not know or understand CTE and its effects. She would have known them all too well.
This was an opportunity missed.
Mr. Seau was inducted into the Hall of Fame by a sport that systematically killed him. Play by violent play.
Are you not entertained?
What is remarkable is that she comes across as completely unaware of why her father died, and the manner in which he chose to commit suicide.
Her father was a gladiator in a sport that cherishes the concussion, something that is now euphemistically referred to as a "really big hit."
His life proved in explicit terms that he wasn't in fact "superhuman." Mr. Seau was all too human, and suffered from and was consumed by the brain injuries he incurred during his playing days.
I regret that Ms. Seau didn't use this platform to educate others who do not know or understand CTE and its effects. She would have known them all too well.
This was an opportunity missed.
Mr. Seau was inducted into the Hall of Fame by a sport that systematically killed him. Play by violent play.
Are you not entertained?
30
Miss Seau was too classy to bring that subject up in her speech. She wished to honor her father, not incite a polemic. I have a feeling she made the right decision. As a result of her speech, there will arise an awareness of the cause of his demise.
Beautiful speech. Very touching. Goodell and the NFL empire he molded are so out of touch with reality these days it's scary.
67
Since my first comment was buried almost immediately, I want to repeat that ABC is reporting that an exception was made for Ms. Seau and she was allowed to speak before the crowd.
14
Baseball is a pastoral game of the pre Industrial Age, football with its time limits and precise gridiron is a creature of Taylor's efficient mass production. Sadly, the lords of football thought they could control the production line of information simply by hitting the off switch. This hubris will be their undoing.
18
Hmm. Would never call "make a play, go to ten commercials, make a play, go to five commercials, make a play, got to ten commercials" precise. Wait. Maybe it is.
7
It is precise diagnosis. The Scourge of Television. Unfortunately an incurable disease in America.
The Seau lawsuit against the NFL doesn't specify the amount of damages owing. Rather, it asks for everything they can get. The family attorney, John Gomez, is a high profile personal injury lawyer recently charged in two separate sexual harassment cases. He refers to himself as a super lawyer. I'm sure he consulted Seau's daughter regarding her speech. There is no way of knowing whether the speech released by the NYT is the same as the one Ms. Seau originally planned to give. I think it's a sure thing, though, that Mr. Gomez reviewed both speeches and advised Ms. Seau how to write each in a manner that would serve her financials interests. But maybe you think the bottom line decisions were left to an 18 year old.
2
Touching sentiment, but completely mishegas.
4
So what? Fact: her father is DEAD.
Fact: he had brain injury
Fact: the injury was in keeping w substantial repeat blows to the head that he got as a player.
STOP nitpicking like lawyers do.
Fact: he had brain injury
Fact: the injury was in keeping w substantial repeat blows to the head that he got as a player.
STOP nitpicking like lawyers do.
12
What dollar value do you suggest they put on his life? What do you place on your family?
4
This might be one of the most beautiful and moving things I've ever had the privilege of witnessing. I'm glad that the NY Times offered such a forum to a voice that clearly needed to be heard. Sad that big business motives kept it from being spoken directly to those who needed to hear it most.
39
I think I'm a pretty cynical person but wow that was a good speech. Very impressed, especially coming from such a young person. See! Don't discount us millennials, we're not just brain-dead, naive drones on social media. We're very human as well. Thanks for representing Sydney, great speech and fitting tribute.
16
I had assumed that the NFL had refused allowing Seau's daughter to give her speech because of its mentioning traumatic brain injuries. But I was amazed to watch the video and witness only a lovely young woman credit her father as a father, a man, and a football player.
I am now puzzled about the NFL's stance. Did the NFL execs think she would depart from the written speech, which surely they saw, and get into brain injuries? After listening to her for 9 minutes, I think that very unlikely. Did the NFL execs enforce a policy against speeches for deceased inductees? I doubt that such a policy exists. I'm left with the thought that the policy is against speeches for inductees who died from a series of brain injuries received while playing football.
By comparison, the NFL is making Donald Trump look good.
I am now puzzled about the NFL's stance. Did the NFL execs think she would depart from the written speech, which surely they saw, and get into brain injuries? After listening to her for 9 minutes, I think that very unlikely. Did the NFL execs enforce a policy against speeches for deceased inductees? I doubt that such a policy exists. I'm left with the thought that the policy is against speeches for inductees who died from a series of brain injuries received while playing football.
By comparison, the NFL is making Donald Trump look good.
68
Seriously, that's the speech the NFL blocked? Are they kidding? This is exactly the image they should be putting forward, in a time with rampant domestic abuse and chronic brain injury. A family man who played with passion and acted responsibly in his community should be celebrated. Isn;t that the entire point?
This is another bad job by the league. As a father of 4 myself, I can only hope (but not expect) that one of my children would speak so highly of me after my passing.
To the NFL - try to get your priorities straight. There might come a time when ratings don't let you act unilaterally and without consequence. Then where will you be?
This is another bad job by the league. As a father of 4 myself, I can only hope (but not expect) that one of my children would speak so highly of me after my passing.
To the NFL - try to get your priorities straight. There might come a time when ratings don't let you act unilaterally and without consequence. Then where will you be?
45
Thank you to The New York Times for printing Sydney Seau's speech.
I have long followed two teams in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots. With Jovan Belcher at Kansas City and Junior Seau at New England, each team has lost a player to suicide. We cannot really determine the extent to which football-related damage may have led to those suicides.
But we can determine that the boors who run professional football have handled Seau's inauguration into the Hall of Fame, along with player violence and all other scandals, very badly. When a 21-year-old daughter of a great player tries to speak, they run for cover. They seem as afraid of women as is Donald Trump.
It won't be easy, but this fall when Brady and the Patriots take the field, I won't be watching. I'm done with the callousness of the NFL, toward its players and toward its fans. Enough was enough.
I have long followed two teams in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots. With Jovan Belcher at Kansas City and Junior Seau at New England, each team has lost a player to suicide. We cannot really determine the extent to which football-related damage may have led to those suicides.
But we can determine that the boors who run professional football have handled Seau's inauguration into the Hall of Fame, along with player violence and all other scandals, very badly. When a 21-year-old daughter of a great player tries to speak, they run for cover. They seem as afraid of women as is Donald Trump.
It won't be easy, but this fall when Brady and the Patriots take the field, I won't be watching. I'm done with the callousness of the NFL, toward its players and toward its fans. Enough was enough.
63
I think chronic traumatic encephalopathy has deeply affected US history since its inception.
7
Oh my, what a beautiful, heart-rending speech. Thank you Ms. Seau for opening your heart and sharing such a personal, poignant remembrance of your father. He was more than just a football player as you so aptly shared with us. I loved it when he signed with my New England Patriots because he brought such passion and joy to the team. I smiled at the image of him playing the ukulele and singing off-key and nearly wept when you said you'd love to have one more hug from him. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful glimpse into your and your father's heart.
Shame on the NFL and the Hall of Fame for not allowing this speech. What were you thinking when you told her she couldn't speak? You have shown yourselves to lack the heart, soul and compassion that Ms. Seau has and her Dad had in abundance.
Shame on the NFL and the Hall of Fame for not allowing this speech. What were you thinking when you told her she couldn't speak? You have shown yourselves to lack the heart, soul and compassion that Ms. Seau has and her Dad had in abundance.
29
Deeply, deeply touching. I am no football fan and know nothing about Junior Seau, but that was a gorgeous tribute from a loving daughter that surely would have enriched the Hall of Fame proceedings. Thank you, New York Times, for giving her the chance to speak.
25
She is a real reflection of her father and it's a shame the NFL wants to hide that from us.
25
What a beautiful, absolutely perfect speech for her father. It's a shame those in attendance at the ceremony weren't able to hear it then.
6
This is the final straw for me and the NFL. Not allowing Sydney Seau"s speech at the HOF is just a slap in the face to the family and to all the fans. Sean was a class act all the way, too bad the NFL is run by a bunch of louts.
19
A beautifully articulated tribute from start to finish; I was moved to tears. Thank you NYT for giving Sydney the podium those at the HOF (cowardly) wouldn't.
The misguided front office of the NFL - yet again! - made the wrong call, and instead chose to protect its own interests rather than allowing the Seau family, and the fans, to celebrate the life and achievements of one of the most beloved individuals to ever play the game.
Thankfully, this has now been made into a larger story, and Sydney's words about her father are sure to be read and shared by millions.
The misguided front office of the NFL - yet again! - made the wrong call, and instead chose to protect its own interests rather than allowing the Seau family, and the fans, to celebrate the life and achievements of one of the most beloved individuals to ever play the game.
Thankfully, this has now been made into a larger story, and Sydney's words about her father are sure to be read and shared by millions.
16
Wow. Wow.
And the football powers-that-be wouldn't allow this classy young lady to deliver this absolutely beautiful, straight-from-the-heart speech?
Shame on them. Shame on all of them.
And the football powers-that-be wouldn't allow this classy young lady to deliver this absolutely beautiful, straight-from-the-heart speech?
Shame on them. Shame on all of them.
47
NFL and HOF is about money, anything that tarnish their self image is not acceptable. Reality and truth has no bearing.
1
Nothing surprising.
If you have very big men running into and tackling other very big men it is
not at all surprising that you may have problems later in life with brain damage.
The NFL wants to paint themselves as "America's sport" but for me they are just a bunch of grown men who haven't really grown up and are making outrageous amounts of money for acting like they are still in high school.
But this is an attitude the NFL fosters to make more money.
The players are well aware of the risks but still play because of the chance to make millions. Head injuries, drugs, domestic abuse? Just accepted job hazards. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. Just another "victim group" trying to get an edge.
If you have very big men running into and tackling other very big men it is
not at all surprising that you may have problems later in life with brain damage.
The NFL wants to paint themselves as "America's sport" but for me they are just a bunch of grown men who haven't really grown up and are making outrageous amounts of money for acting like they are still in high school.
But this is an attitude the NFL fosters to make more money.
The players are well aware of the risks but still play because of the chance to make millions. Head injuries, drugs, domestic abuse? Just accepted job hazards. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. Just another "victim group" trying to get an edge.
2
I think Ms. Seau should have been allowed to speak but I also think that a family member of any posthumously inducted player s/b allowed to speak. Selective outrage.
2
A beautiful speech. Why on earth was this unacceptable to the NFL is beside me.
13
Eloquent and moving, Sydney. Driven to tears.
5
Everything has turned into television programing, so the HOF could not risk the potential for Sydney to speak the truth about playing in the NFL.
1
Definitely one of the more misleading headlines I've seen for a NY Times article, considering Sydney was allowed to speak at the induction (they pretended it was an "interview" rather than a speech but it was clearly a speech. Every other news outlet I've seen has linked to that speech (which was a somewhat shortened version of this one), but the Times for some reason wanted to pretend that they had an "exclusive" even after the NFL HOF relented last week and so pretends the other speech didn't exist.
6
If that were true, why isn't the HOF defending itself in the column, or in a letter to the Editors. Well...let's wait and see....
Just visit any other new outlet. You can WATCH the video. I did. There's no sort of content in this speech (the "exclusive" one) that isn't in the one she gave at the HOF ceremony - really only the length is different. I had already watched the HOF speech before I saw the NYT story, which made the headline very perplexing. It was NFL.com's most prominently displayed video Saturday night, so they certainly weren't trying to silence Sydney.
"Your Junior Seau, your No. 55 and your buddy, was also my father. And although I didn’t know every aspect of his life, I did know one particular part very well. His athleticism and talent made him extraordinary enough to make it into the Hall, but it is his passion and heart that make him truly legendary and deserving of this tremendous honor."
Amen, Sydney. Amen.
Amen, Sydney. Amen.
2
Another thank you to NY Times, I would not have known otherwise. She changed my view of sport and family first ~
Moving, powerful and truly beautiful. What an extraordinary daughter who reflects an extraordinary father. I know nothing of his career and that's the point; his legacy lives through his children. Thank you NYT and shame on you Hall of Fame. It seems they are always three steps behind...
1
Thank you NYT and Beau. How long will we continue to support this barbarism to support greed?
2
Corporate was afraid a strong and beautiful young Seau would say, "You killed my father. Prepare to die."
But she said it better and, thanks to the NYT, even louder.
But she said it better and, thanks to the NYT, even louder.
10
The small minded executives currently mismanaging their cash cow, the NFL, should bow their collective heads in shame for deliberately trying to sweep any negative stories, especially this one, under the rug.
1
Wow. What a speech. A true shame the Hall would not make an exception for a deserving reason. There is nothing here to reflect badly on them or the NFL, which we cynical people might find hard to believe, but obviously Sydney Seau only wanted to reflect on all the good things and I don't think there was anything lacking. She very deftly dealt with the fact of his death without any hint of bitterness. ESPN should air this.
2
Shame, shame on the Foot Ball Hall of Fame, and the National Football League.
What a beautiful speech from a young woman that is soundly the reflection of the dad she lost. It is a shame an organization finds the courage to deny with a total lack of sensitivity, to honor the request of a player's last wishes. Under these special circumstances, it is not acceptable to forget we understand and to bow with honor to grant the wishes of a deceased human being. At what cost would the NFL lose for so little to give?
2
Sydney... Thanks so much for sharing your heart. Hearing your words about your dad has inspired me to be an even more inspired and loving dad to my own daughter. I would imagine that your speech has touched many other dads in that same way. So just know that you and your dad are leaving behind a tremendous legacy of love. Thanks so much for your courage and sharing your deeply personal story.
3
Yes, thank you New York Times and thank you Sydney Seau. You inspired me to at least try(!) to be as great a father to my own daughter as Junior Seau was to Sydney. May the NFL realize that we don't actually love this game because of the action, the 'hits,' the plays. We love it because of the irrepressible spirit of the many great people who play and support it. May Roger Goodell learn the meaning of compassion from Sydney's words
3
Such a beautiful, eloquent, celebration of a person's life. He should be so proud of his family and his daughter for the class and kindness of this speech.
What is wrong with the NFL that this is offensive to them?
What is wrong with the NFL that this is offensive to them?
1
Thank you NY Times for shedding light on this story. I owned a Seau jersey growing up and that is saying a tremendous amount being a die hard falcons fan. He played the game with such passion. He was impossible to ignore. The NFL should be ashamed of themselves. More and more I question why I dedicate my sundays to football. Maybe cause there are still players like Seau in the league. However, at this pace, that may not be true for much longer. Great minded athletes are more likely to pursue baseball, basketball, or even soccer to preserve their bodies, preserve their contracts (nothing guaranteed in the nfl), and still compete in professional sports.
4
He's proud of you, my dear, wherever he is. And as long as you can be such a fine and thoughtful representative for the power of love, we shall all be better for it.
5
Junior Seau gave his life to the NFL, his daughter wrote a beautiful remembrance of him, and the NFL would not let her read it, out of pure greed.
I think we all should ask ourselves, is the cheating and arbitrary use of power in the NFL an aberration, or the normal operation of a too large and out of control corporation.
I think we all should ask ourselves, is the cheating and arbitrary use of power in the NFL an aberration, or the normal operation of a too large and out of control corporation.
1
This sounds very similar to the speech she actually gave during her interview live on stage during Seau's induction into the HOF.
2
This article highlights the fact that a professional football player's daughter was passionate enough about her father's life to share his story even though she could not formally do so at the ceremony. The obvious obstacle or issue that arose in this particular story was the Hall of Fame not allowing Junior Seau's daughter to speak on his part at the ceremony; in this sense, the argument being made or perhaps the message being delivered by the girl is that her father's incredible accomplishments and personality needed to be shared with the world regardless of the rules which prevented her from doing so at the induction. The overall significance or impact of this event is that possibly in the future people under similar circumstances who perhaps feel uncomfortable with sharing their story may be motivated to do so even if they are pressured publicly not to do so or informed not to.
1
Thank you Sydney for your words and your thoughts. The Hall of Fame has shown itself to be a small minded institution that has little truth. Canton, OH, should be ashamed.
1
Sydney Seau has more bravery and decency and humanity than all of the greedy NFL's executives put together.
3
A truly beautiful tribute. What on earth is wrong with the Football Hall of Fame?
3
If the daughter is a reflection of her faather, he must indeed have been a kind and loving man.
3
Sydney,
I was emotional throughout your speech, and then cried once I read the last line. This was a beautifully written speech about a wonderful man. I'm sure your father heard you, because words that powerful have no limit to how far they can travel.
Bravo!
I was emotional throughout your speech, and then cried once I read the last line. This was a beautifully written speech about a wonderful man. I'm sure your father heard you, because words that powerful have no limit to how far they can travel.
Bravo!
4
Thanks New York Times and Ms. Seau, for leveling the playing field.
4
The fans are just as responsible as the NFL for the brain damage suffered by the players. It's their money that keeps the sport going. Time to stop watching.
Great speech, btw. I wish she had been able to personally deliver it at the Hall.
Great speech, btw. I wish she had been able to personally deliver it at the Hall.
7
Surely there must be some completely remarkable reason that the HOF denied this speech from making it to the airwaves. It was magnificent and, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the NFL seeks to see itself as magnificent. I'm afraid they woefully stubbed their toe on this one. Where is the emotion in the NFL? Where is the empathy and, more importantly, the sympathy? Where is the justice to a family that lost it's patriarch to something the NFL can never deny having some guilt in causing? Where...?
1
This was beautiful, Sydney. I learned a lot about love and family from your speech. Thank you. This was beautiful.
4
This is a lovely and touching speech. She really gives us a picture of the man and the player. Yet the reality is he must've been in incredible pain and distress to take himself away from his loving family.
For this the NFL must be held accountable. Unfortunately, he wasn't the first player to take his life because his brain no longer functioned and he won't be the last.
Thank you NYT for sharing this. Sydney is a lovely and articulate young woman, following in her father's footsteps. May he rest in peace.
For this the NFL must be held accountable. Unfortunately, he wasn't the first player to take his life because his brain no longer functioned and he won't be the last.
Thank you NYT for sharing this. Sydney is a lovely and articulate young woman, following in her father's footsteps. May he rest in peace.
4
With everything the NFL has shot themselves over recently, we may be seeing the unraveling of the empire at the top so to speak....this is one of them given it's a 5-year old rule. Which means it's under Goodell as I'm sure he had a say in it...
4
Dear Sydney, as someone else who lost their father as hardly a teenager, I am glad to read your words here and I think that suppressing your speech will likely make it more widely read than any similar speech in history. I have tweeted it on facebook. It is the first Hall of Fame speech that I have ever read. Thank you!
5
Sydney, as a father myself, I cannot stop crying right now. Your beautiful words transcend the NFL, the sport of football, and all the noise of everyday life and touch the one of the most true meanings of life, the love between human beings, and especially the love between a parent and child. I will stop what I am doing, call all my kids, and tell them how much I love them and how much they mean to me. It is clear to anyone watching you that your dad loved you so.
As a San Diegan, and not particularly as a football fan, I have seen the magnificent influence of your father and family's work, through the Seau Foundation and countless other acts of kindness. Your father's legacy lives on in so many ways.
And thank you NYT, for allowing us the privilege of hearing this wonderful young woman's words and seeing her father's face in hers. NFL, let this be the moment that you see this man, and all the men under your influence, as humans first, athletes second.
As a San Diegan, and not particularly as a football fan, I have seen the magnificent influence of your father and family's work, through the Seau Foundation and countless other acts of kindness. Your father's legacy lives on in so many ways.
And thank you NYT, for allowing us the privilege of hearing this wonderful young woman's words and seeing her father's face in hers. NFL, let this be the moment that you see this man, and all the men under your influence, as humans first, athletes second.
13
The NFL and the Hall of Fame seem small and petty for not allowing Junior Seau's daughter, Sydney, to speak for him as he requested. Especially since it was such a heartfelt tribute to the father she loved and the sport he dedicated his life to. Thanks to the NYT for presenting it here. Another PR black eye for the NFL brass.
3
I thought Ms Seau was going to speak a bit about the dangers to the brain from football, the reason her father felt he couldn't go on living, but she didn't.
I met a man in the doctor's office recently who was speaking with pride about his 12 - year old boy who played football. I saw him as a diamond miner who was hoping to find a big, expensive diamond -- to take care of him the rest of his life.
There are a high percentage of football players who end up dying at an early age, like Mr Seau, and whose lives, due to brain damage, are not worth living. And tragically they leave children behind. Many of these brain-damaged men leave their brains to the scientists who now make examining their hurt brains a specialty in their research. I don't know what the scientists think they will do with the information they find except to call for shutting down such a rough and risky game entirely.
I suggested to the proud father I met that he reconsider and have his son play basketball or baseball instead, rather than break his brain on football.
I met a man in the doctor's office recently who was speaking with pride about his 12 - year old boy who played football. I saw him as a diamond miner who was hoping to find a big, expensive diamond -- to take care of him the rest of his life.
There are a high percentage of football players who end up dying at an early age, like Mr Seau, and whose lives, due to brain damage, are not worth living. And tragically they leave children behind. Many of these brain-damaged men leave their brains to the scientists who now make examining their hurt brains a specialty in their research. I don't know what the scientists think they will do with the information they find except to call for shutting down such a rough and risky game entirely.
I suggested to the proud father I met that he reconsider and have his son play basketball or baseball instead, rather than break his brain on football.
7
Great speech, Sydney. You dad would be extremely proud. He clearly raised an amazing daughter.
7
If you want to know the real facts behind this story try reading Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback. As he reported, the NFL actually doesn't decide who speaks and who doesn't; it's the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Moreover, it was already determined that deceased Hall of Fame candidates would be honored in videos, because in prior years family members had tended to drone on.
Concussions are a valid issue and the nfl has been abysmal at acknowledging it. But the spin on this story is biased to say the least.
Concussions are a valid issue and the nfl has been abysmal at acknowledging it. But the spin on this story is biased to say the least.
2
Wow, I'm really torn after reading her comments. Clearly, this is a daughter who very much loves and misses her father. Her grieving continues and I can understand why her wanted to make a statement scared the HOF to death. On the one hand, I'm glad, in a way, that she kept it about Junior and his love for his family and the game. On the other hand, given how his life ended prematurely at 43 as a direct result of the brutality of the game, it's rather shocking to me that she didn't mention it. Did her so-called high road shame the HOF and was she playing a smart tactic? Was she honoring her father's love of the game? Or was she letting him down by ignoring the elephant in the room? Honestly, I don't know. HOWEVER -- I have no ambivalence about how I feel about the HOF, or their policy.
I'm not a big football fan but do watch occasionally. I think that when I think about watching a game this season, Thanksgiving, a playoff game, or even the super bowl, I'm going to remember this speech and the fact that this league did not allow it to be given, think twice about whether I want to watch, and hopefully turn to a different channel. And I hope that millions of would-be football watchers will do exactly the same thing.
1
Way to go Ms Seau!!!
It is a disgrace that the Hall of Fame is hiding behind a FIVE year old policy. Really???? This man gave so many fans so much pleasure. Yet, his daughter is denied?
Thank you, thank you Hall of Fame because by denying her the opportunity to speak at the ceremony, people everywhere can hear her and know his story. People like myself who are not football fans.
Thank you Ms. Seau. may your father's soul rest in peace.
It is a disgrace that the Hall of Fame is hiding behind a FIVE year old policy. Really???? This man gave so many fans so much pleasure. Yet, his daughter is denied?
Thank you, thank you Hall of Fame because by denying her the opportunity to speak at the ceremony, people everywhere can hear her and know his story. People like myself who are not football fans.
Thank you Ms. Seau. may your father's soul rest in peace.
3
What a beautiful and heartbreaking speech. As a father to a 12 year old girl, I have no doubt that Sydney's father would be far prouder of the girl he raised than anything he did on the field. Thanks to the NY Times, far more people will see and hear her words than if she had delivered them in Canton.
4
What a beautiful speech, what a lovely and thoughtful young woman, what a remarkable thing to be able to hear. Thank you, NYT, for bringing it to us. And thank you for not putting an advertisement in front of it.
4
A Hall of Fame father.
4
I'm watching Good Morning America right now, which reported an exception was made to allow Ms. Seau to speak. The program showed footage of her delivering her speech before a crowd. What's up?
6
The NYTimes cannot fix all the world's problems, but sometimes it can deliver a level of justice that makes me proud to subscribe to the paper. This is one of those situations. The small-minded people who fear that the story of Junior Seau might interfere with their cash cow have just been disgraced in a way only the NYTimes could manage. As a long-time fan of the game who has become increasingly ambivalent about the morality of football, the treatment of the Seau family by the HOF is yet another good reason to find a better way to spend my Sundays.
469
So well put. Thank you Junior. You would be SO PROUD of your daughter,
And thank you NYT for sharing this moment. NFL? You should be embarrassed.
And thank you NYT for sharing this moment. NFL? You should be embarrassed.
2
Great comment. I agree 100%. I now, too, have my Sunday's free to do other enjoyable things.
2
Surely the speech would have included his football brain injuries and the suicide that they caused. The NFL would never allow such a thing to be uttered in their holiest venue.
41
Didn't read the speech or watched the video, but you commented anyway. It mentions neither suicide nor brain injury.
1
Chalk up another shameful PR disaster for the NFL, the "big tobacco" of sports.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sports/league-of-denial/the-nfls...
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sports/league-of-denial/the-nfls...
139
The hypocrisy and self-dealing of the NFL, and now the Hall of Fame, is repugnant, reeking of greed and squirming around the truth, much like the tobacco companies of just a few years ago. To fear the daughter of a much beloved player because she might speak a little truth about the reason for his suicide is an attempt to smother the truth. Let's hope they fail again and again
165
The NFL is forever shamed that its powers-that-be prevented such a beautiful, honest and real celebration of one of its greatest champions, athletes and losses. Bravo, Sydney -- thanks for sharing these words about your dad.
275
Not NFL, HOF made the decision. They made another decision to let her speak at the ceremony, but it is not reflected in this article. Just do a search for it, it is nice to hear her speak infront of her family and the crowd.
1
This was a tremendous speech. Well written, from the heart and well delivered. Shame on the Football Hall of Fame for not allowing it to be heard. What did they have to fear? And, would it have been inappropriate to speak of the challenges that led to Seau's death? Not at all! It is an issue deserving to be heard and debated and the Hall presentations would have been a most appropriate place to continue that.
224
A beautiful speech delivered most eloquently. He would be very proud of her.
159
Your speech was beautiful and from the heart. I only had the privledge of seeing your father play the game on television, but I distinctly remember him being my favorite player to watch because he played the game with the passion you mentioned and an intensity that I've rarely witnessed to this day. You father was truly great. I am so sorry the NFL did not allow you to deliver your beautiful and heartfelt speech on your fathers behalf. Your words will stay with me forever as well as my memories of your father. God Bless.
104
Thank you, New York Times, for publishing this incredible speech. My hat is off to Ms. Seau, and to her father.
I know many people love football. Many more make their living from it. We have to find a way to play the game and still protect the players... Not just their souls and hearts, but their brains as well.
People are people, not objects. Bodies - even the big strong ones - are not indestructible. We honor people like Junior Seau and his wonderful family only when we honor their - and our own - humanity.
I know many people love football. Many more make their living from it. We have to find a way to play the game and still protect the players... Not just their souls and hearts, but their brains as well.
People are people, not objects. Bodies - even the big strong ones - are not indestructible. We honor people like Junior Seau and his wonderful family only when we honor their - and our own - humanity.
136
Gorgeous
53
Dear Sidney,
Your speech on behalf of your father was one of the most moving I have ever heard. A beautiful tribute to a man I now know a little and appreciate a lot. Yours will be the only Hall of Fame speech I hear; the first and probably the last. I am not a football fan, but I am now a fan of your father. You yourself are a tribute and a monument to his success. Congratulations to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your love.
Your speech on behalf of your father was one of the most moving I have ever heard. A beautiful tribute to a man I now know a little and appreciate a lot. Yours will be the only Hall of Fame speech I hear; the first and probably the last. I am not a football fan, but I am now a fan of your father. You yourself are a tribute and a monument to his success. Congratulations to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your love.
233
Why this would not have been acceptable in any venue is beyond me.
264
How does the HOF ever possibly apologize for not affording this beautiful young woman the opportunity to deliver this speech? I can't say the word shame enough times.
328
Turns out they did. Just do a search for it.
1
Turns out, they did let her give the speech. Just do a search for it. Was only about three minutes, don't know if that was a HOF decision or Sydney's.
Your father would have been proud of you-- I'm sure he always was. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
134
Wow ! What a bright young lady ! She does us all honor by remembering her Dad with such a speech!
119
Thank you NYTimes.
200