Junior Seau: Looking Back at the Best Moments of NFL Star's Career

Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau passed away at age 43 on Wednesday at his Oceanside, CA home, according to the North County Times.

To many people, especially those in the San Diego community, Seau was a hero on and off the football field. His great performances for the Chargers earned him a lot of recognition as a top-tier NFL player, and his charity work has helped many people in the community.

Let's look back at the greatest moments of his pro football career, one that many of us will never forget.

1990 NFL Draft

Junior Seau was the 5th overall selection in the 1990 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, and he would go on to have the best career of anyone drafted in the top 15 picks that season.

The Chargers knew Seau very well since he starred on defense for nearby USC.

1992 Season

Seau became a household name for football fans everywhere during the 1992 NFL season. That year, he had 102 tackles and two interceptions, and was selected the first Pro Bowl of his career. He was selected to the next 11 Pro Bowls.

Seau was named the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year.

1994 Season

Seau had a career-high 155 tackles in the 1994 season, and was one of the best players in football. He led an impressive Chargers defense all the way to the Super Bowl that year as well.

Seau made 16 tackles against the San Francisco 49ers, but quarterback Steve Young's historic six-touchdown performance helped the 49ers to their fifth Super Bowl championship.

1996 Season

Seau recorded 138 tackles during the 1996 season, the second-highest total of his career. He also had seven sacks, which tied a career high. His three fumble recoveries also tied a career high.

2003 Season

After spending his first 13 seasons with the Chargers, Seau was traded to the Miami Dolphins before the 2003 season.

He had 93 tackles and four sacks for the Dolphins that season, proving he was still an elite defensive player.

2007 Season

After joining head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots during the 2006 season, Seau revived his career in 2007 by having 74 tackles (his highest since 2003) and 3.5 sacks (his highest since 2000).

Seau would help lead the Patriots to the first ever 16-0 regular season, but they ultimately lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

2011

Junior Seau was inducted into two Hall of Fames last year, the San Diego Chargers team Hall of Fame, and the one at Oceanside High School where he played.

When he is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Seau will certainly be selected as a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. 

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