Junior Seau: Legacy at USC Will Live on

Tragic news broke today about the death of linebacker Junior Seau. Seau, best remembered by the general public as the 20-year NFL veteran who made 12 straight Pro Bowls, got his start from somewhat humble beginnings.

The fifth pick of the 1990 NFL draft only lettered two seasons for the University of Southern California, but Seau truly left his mark on the Trojans in his time on campus. After a solid 1988 season, the linebacker, wearing number 55, used 1989 to become a consensus All-American.

Seau's success on the field, in the number 55, was part of the mystique of the Trojans. He wore the number after All-American linebacker Jack Del Rio and then names like Willie McGinest, Chris Claiborne and Keith Rivers would follow suit as well. Club 55, as they are known, became a big deal. It is an honor for a USC linebacker to don the number and big-time expectations are held of players who are deemed worthy.

That legacy shall live on at the University of Southern California as Lamar Dawson, already a freshman All-American, is set to carry the flag for Club 55.

Seau's legacy will live on in other ways as well; the linebacker was placed in the USC Ring of Fame in 2008 and one year later Seau was inducted into the USC Hall of Fame. Junior Seau will remain one of the names that is synonymous with USC football, excellence and the tradition that the Trojans embody. As current and former Trojans have shown, he was as much a part of their community as their teammates.

"

This was a couple weeks ago! How does this happen!?!? This is tearing me up. RIP twitter.com/7kdiddy8/statu…

— Khaled Holmes (@7kdiddy8) May 2, 2012"

Junior Seau's legacy will live on off the field as well. His foundation has helped San Diego youths since 1992 and has stood as a testament to his desire to help kids get ahead in life. Even in the face of the tragic news, Club 55, the Junior Seau Foundation and the impact he had on those around him shall persevere.