In the wake of the recent tragedy involving the suicide of former NFL linebacker Junior Seau, the San Diego Chargers announced that they will be retiring his once famous No. 55 jersey.

U-T San Diego columnist Kevin Acee reported via Twitter that the club officially retired Seau's jersey Friday evening.

 

Chargers owner Dean Spanos announced that the team has officially retired Seau's number at Qualcomm Stadium during a memorial ceremony for Seau Friday night.

It was a classy move by Spanos to forever honor Seau, as thousands attended the public memorial service to honor the one-time NFL great.

Seau played 13 of his 20 NFL seasons in San Diego, leading the 1994 Chargers to the Super Bowl.

144215091_crop_exact Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

Many fans wore Seau’s No. 55 Chargers jersey and it served as a tribute to a man who inspired many during his 20-year NFL career, and whose suicide last week shocked the nation.

Among those who addressed the fans to honor Seau were Chargers Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts, former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Bobby Ross, the former Chargers coach who in 1994 guided the team to its only Super Bowl, with Seau as the team’s locker room leader.

During that spectacular 20-year NFL career, Seau also played for the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins after playing collegiately at USC.

Seau finished his playing career with 1,524 tackles, 56.5 sacks, 18 interceptions and 18 fumble recoveries.

Seau committed suicide on May 2 at his Oceanside home at the age of 43.