Life, Death and Football: Ian Seau Chases NFL Dream to Honor Uncle's Legacy

On May 2, 2012, the news of Junior Seau's suicide shocked his family, the NFL community and the multitudes impacted by his career. To learn later that Seau suffered from CTE at the time of his death only added to the grief.

Almost exactly four years later, another Seau begins the tall task of filling his Hall of Fame uncle's shoes at the 2016 NFL draft in Chicago.

Ian Seau—Junior's nephew and a defensive end from the University of Nevada—grew up idolizing his uncle and, despite his tragic death and the inherent danger of playing football, is choosing to continue the family's NFL legacy.

Watch this feature to find out why Ian is willing to risk his body to honor his uncle and the path he created for his nephew to realize his NFL dream.

**Ian is projected to be selected on Day 3 of the draft or signed as a preferred free agent shortly thereafter. Mary Seau is Junior's older sister. Bleacher Report reached out to Junior Seau's immediate family for participation in the piece but did not receive a response.