There is no question that Junior Seau was one of the greatest Linebackers of his generation, and his inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton is a no brainer. So on August 8th when the Hall of Fame welcomes its newest class, Seau will get the honor he deserves.
Sadly, he will not be there to enjoy it as he passed away in 2012 at the age of 43 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, thought to be brought on by CTE or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease that has been found in the brains of dozens of deceased NFL players due to repeated head trauma.
That is where the issues start. It was one of Seau’s wishes that his daughter, Sydney Seau be allowed to induct him into the Hall of Fame and speak for her father. Seems like a pretty innocuous thing right? I mean Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Charles Haley and the rest of the inductees will give a speech, so why shouldn’t Sydney be allowed to speak for her father?
Well, the policy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2010 about individuals enshrined posthumously provides for an expanded presenting video followed by the traditional unveiling of the bronzed bust and no additional comments made from the podium.
So that means Sydney will not be able to speak at the ceremony. I think it is totally ridiculous that the younger Seau will not be allowed to give a speech and it is a mistake being made by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But seeing as this is their policy and it is not being arbitrarily enforced, I understand.
Apparently, the Seau’s are not as happy with the decision as they thought they were told they would be allowed to speak. Family attorney Megan Donohue released a statement that reads:
“The Seau family appreciates the overwhelming support for Sydney Seau to be able to accept Junior’s induction into the Hall of Fame live and in her own words, unfortunately, the Hall of Fame is unwilling to reverse its decision despite communicating to the family earlier this year that Sydney would be able to speak at the ceremony. Contrary to the most recent statement by the Hall of Fame, the family does not support the current policy that prevents family members from delivering live remarks on behalf of deceased inductees.
So they are understandably upset, but will not cause a fuss about the entire ordeal as they do not want to become a distraction to Junior Seau’s accomplishments or legacy, or those of the other inductees.
I also find it quite humorous that other so-called reputable media outlets have blasted the NFL for this decision. Saying that now the league could use all the good PR they can get and they should do everything that can to allow Sydney to speak. They are saying things like the NFL really fumbled the ball on this one.
Well let me be the first to say, you are an idiot.
The NFL has nothing; I repeat nothing to do with this decision. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is not affiliated with nor run by the NFL. They are their own separate entity and can make whatever rules about their building that they want to.
So blaming the NFL for not allowing Sydney to speak at her father’s induction ceremony is a little like blaming your spouse when it rains, it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.