Junior Seau Memorial: Peyton Manning, Dan Fouts, John Elway Join Fans To Pay Respects (PHOTOS)

SAN DIEGO. — Hours after Junior Seau was buried in his hometown, thousands of fans attended a public memorial service at Qualcomm Stadium, where the hard-hitting, fist-pumping linebacker starred for 13 seasons.

Many wore Seau's No. 55 jersey – in Chargers blue, Southern California cardinal and gold and Miami Dolphins aqua and orange.

Among those attending were Seau's parents, his ex-wife and their children, several current and former Chargers, and former rival John Elway. Elway, who now runs Denver's front office, was accompanied by new Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and coach John Fox, a former assistant with San Diego.

Seau's No. 55 was painted at midfield.

Seau committed suicide on May 2 at his Oceanside home. He played parts of 20 seasons in the NFL, with the Chargers, Dolphins and New England Patriots.

After a private funeral earlier Friday, Seau was buried at Eternal Hills cemetery.

Those scheduled to speak Friday night at Qualcomm were Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson and Bobby Ross, the only coach to get the Chargers to the Super Bowl.

Chargers chaplain Shawn Mitchell opened the service with a prayer.

"Junior, we don't know if you can see this down here, but tonight's your night."

Said Fouts: "Our paths never crossed on the field, but boy could we have used him with the offense of Air Coryell. I'm also glad I never had to play against him. I could just imagine the thought of him sacking me, then standing over me and dancing all over me."

Someone yelled, "Ask Elway!"

Fouts called it a "classy move" for Elway, Manning and Fox to attend, and the crowd cheered.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Loading Slideshow

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Seau family members come on stage during a tribute to former NFL star Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning waves during a public memorial service for late NFL football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  John Elway attends a public memorial service for late NFL football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  A fan whistles as an image of late NFL football player Junior Seau is displayed on a screen during a public memorial service for Seau at Qualcomm Stadium Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial: Chargers Host Buried In Hometown

  Tyler Seau, center, the son of Junior Seau, reacts to fans during a public memorial service for the late NFL football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego. At rear are pastor Miles McPherson, left, San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos, second from right, his wife Susie Spanos, second from left, and Seau's daughter, Sydney Seau.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning gestures during a public memorial service for late football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium, Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Former San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson points upward during a public memorial service for the late NFL football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Luisa Seau, center, mother of the late Junior Seau, waves to fans as Junior's father Tiaina Seau, left, walks after a public memorial service for football player Junior at Qualcomm Stadium, Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Former San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts speaks during a public memorial service for late football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium, Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  The mother of the late Junior Seau, Luisa Seau, looks back during a public memorial service for the football player at Qualcomm Stadium, Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Sean Dockery writes "Junior R.I.P" on a board during a public memorial service for the late NFL football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Messages are written on a board emblazoned with a No. 55 during a public memorial service for late football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium, Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Two people arrive for a public memorial service for late football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium, Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  A supporter looks up at a video board at a tribute to former NFL star Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  SAN DIEGO, CA MAY 11: Junior Seau's kids stand on stage during a tribute to the former NFL star during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  NFL quarterback Peyton Manning waits in line to greet the Seau family during tribute to former NFL star Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Junior Seau's kids stand on stage during a tribute to the former NFL star during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Friends, family members and supporters pay tribute to former NFL star Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Friends, family members and supporters pay tribute to former NFL star Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  NFL running back LaDanian Tomlinson pays tribute Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  L-R) LaDainian Tomlinson Bobby Ross and Dan Fouts look on during a memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  San Diego Chargers president Dean Spanos speaks as family and friends look on during a memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau held at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Former San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts speaks as LaDainian Tomlinson (L) looks on during a memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Fans attend a memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau held at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 11: LaDainian Tomlinson (R) hugs John Lynch during a memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Fans hold up signs during a memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau held at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Fans holds up a banner during a memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau held at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  LaDainian Tomlinson speaks as Bobby Ross (L) and Dan Fouts (2nd L) look on during a memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Balloons with San Diego Chargers Junior Seau's #55 float away during a memorial for the former Charger star football player held at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Fans reach out during a public memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Fans look on during a public memorial for former San Diego Chargers star football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  A San Diego Chargers fan holds up signs for Junior Seau before a public memorial for the former NFL star at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

• Junior Seau Memorial

  Friends, family members and supporters pay tribute to NFL star Junior Seau during a public memorial at Qualcomm Stadium May 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

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Comments

[farmilyman]

05:35 PM on 05/13/2012

Most likely due to anti-depressant use.

[Steelerfanman]

08:32 PM on 05/14/2012

Most likely lack thereof .

[repugnicansfearme]

10:06 AM on 05/13/2012

RIP Junior. You were a pleasure to watch play.

[Mike Smither]

05:12 AM on 05/13/2012

lot of people with nothing else to do.

[CeeMac]

09:58 PM on 05/13/2012

Mike, as a life-long Chargers fan who attended the public celebration, I politely beg to differ with your characterization.

Junior was a homegrown talent who made a huge name for himself on and off the field. His exploits with the Chargers are well known. But he did as much for the children of San Diego county as he did for the Chargers. Over twenty years, the Junior Seau Foundation raised nearly $5 million to help underprivileged, at-risk, and underserved youth in our community. He was once such a youth, so when he began to make a name for himself in the NFL, he knew who he wanted to help. Junior was one of those very rare athletes who is deeds on the field were probably surpassed by his deeds off of the field.

That is why people like me, who had nothing better to do, went to the Q to remember the man as a whole, not just the football player.

[Steelerfanman]

08:33 PM on 05/14/2012

As if reading and posting about it here shows your life is so much more meaningful.

[GeorgeGee]

01:57 AM on 05/13/2012

None of this surprises me unfortunately. Dan LeBatard wrote in his Miami column today, "none of us would want our self-worth, our identity, stripped in our 30s and be left to limp through the next three decades mangled and longing". Perfectly said.

These men have been playing this game since they were nearly in diapers. All the love, accolades, friendships, comradery that come with the game are intoxicating. Add to that the fact that you are playing a game for a living and the passion it inspires in you. Take all that away from a man OVERNIGHT, and there's no way he doesn't feel lost for a while. Some players have the good fortune to find work where they can find purpose again. But how about those that don't. What do you do when you are strppped of your identity and forced to give up your passion?

Combine that with what we now know is a propensity for depression due to the constant head trauma, and you have a ticking timebomb. It's very similar to the huge suicide rates for our returning war veterans. Battered with constant concussions in battle, and lost while trying, sometimes unsuccessfully to incorporate themselves back into society.

Sadly, this was no surprise. ESPECIALLY with a personality like Seau's. He was all in, all the time. Passion to the core. Testosterone oozing. Where could he put it all after he could no longer throw it into the game? Apparently, he just couldn't find a way.

[Trishann]

05:31 PM on 05/13/2012

Your words made my heart ache a little. People often forget that fame, attention and adoration can be addictive. I've never been famous, but I can't imagine the first time someone said to me, "didn't you used to be somebody famous?"

[Kenny Letizia]

10:44 PM on 05/12/2012

I liked Junior, but lets not turn a suicide into a glorified act. I have to say I am sorry for his family, this is the worst possible selfish act anyone could do to their family and friends. Now the NFL plans to celebrate? Wow, how far we have fallen.

[Trishann]

05:27 PM on 05/13/2012

His suicide was a moment in his life...not his whole life. People should be able to show respect for the person because his final act is not all of who he was. I'm glad we've no fallen so far that we can't appreciate the whole man.

[Steelerfanman]

08:36 PM on 05/14/2012

You obviously can't fathom severe depression. Perhaps he was estranged from his family and that contributed. You don't know anything about it. And honoring someones memory isn't a celebration.

[alreadyBOT]

01:38 PM on 05/12/2012

We dont like you Mr. Seau

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[mad badger]

01:19 PM on 05/12/2012

RIP Junior...

[Ty LaRue]

12:52 PM on 05/12/2012

RIP to Mr. Seau

[triplettam]

12:41 PM on 05/12/2012

They televised it down here in San Diego. It was a great tribute. RIP Big Man.