Miami Dolphins In Depth

Jason Taylor on Seau: 'A leader of men'

Jason Taylor was also part of the Dolphins defense when Junior Seau was traded to the team in 2003.

Seau, who had a way of acting like he knew you even when he didn't, obviously was that way with teammates as well as reporters.

As Taylor remembers:

"I'm shocked and saddened," Taylor said. "Devastated, really. Junior was one of the most positive, uplifting people I have ever known. He was always full of life and energy and had an infectious spirit that lifted everyone around him. Junior called everyone "buddy" and treated them like he had known them forever. It would be easy for me to say he was a great friend and teammate, and a tremendous competitor, but that would be selling Junior short.

"Junior Seau was an individual of great honor and integrity, a leader of men and someone with a deep rooted passion for giving of himself to make the people, the community and especially the children around him better. This is an immeasurable loss for so many. My heart and prayers go out to Junior's family, Gina and their children. I'm going to miss you, buddy."

Zach Thomas: 'Junior was my hero'

Zach Thomas idolized Junior Seau.

I remember him joking that he didn't have nearly Seau's ability and that he "learned tons of stuff" from Seau. This was Zach Thomas, who is arguably one of the greatest linebackers in Dolphins history.

Thomas was understandably upset to learn of Seau's passing today.

He released this statement:

"I have never been around a man with more love and passion for the game of football than Junior Seau, and he lived life the same way. Junior was always fun to be around, always positive and made every person who knew him feel like he was their best friend. You never heard one negative word come out of his mouth. Junior just had this energy that followed him around wherever he went, almost like theme music. It was like he never had a bad day.

"As a young linebacker, Junior was my hero growing up and once I had the opportunity meet him I saw that he was everything I hoped he would be and more. Getting the chance to play along side of Junior Seau, the greatest linebacker to ever play the game, made my dreams come true. I am absolutely devastated to hear this news. Today I lost my hero, my friend, my buddy."

Wannstedt: Junior passing 'tragic'

Dave Wannstedt was the head coach of the Dolphins who traded for Junior Seau. Now the defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, Wannstedt just released a statement on the passing of the former NFL linebacker:

“Hearing this news about Junior...it’s just so tragic…it’s hard to believe. I still to this day remember the day that Junior joined our family at the Dolphins. He brought a sense of renewed energy and a spirit to the field, off the field, in the weight room, just everywhere that Junior went and everyone that Junior was associated with. He instilled a belief that we hadn’t reached our potential and that we could be better and he would find a way to help make that happen.

"I just feel terrible but I know how much he loved his kids. I remember him coming to me and the first thing we talked about was what the offseason schedule would be and what was going to be our bye week schedule. Everything he was doing was centered around getting back to San Diego from Miami to be able to spend quality time with his kids. I don’t think there’s a better way a man could be remembered than in those terms.”

Former NFL star, Dolphins LB Junior Seau passes

Junior Seau has passed away at age 43.

The former linebacker for the Chargers, Dolphins and Patriots was found this morning in his San Diego area home with a gunshot wound to the chest. The North County Times is citing unnamed sources in reporting Seau's death is an apparent suicide.

Seau played for the Dolphins from 2003-2005. His time with Miami was primarily one riddled with injuries. It was the least successful of his NFL stops as he was an impact player for the San Diego Chargers for 13 years and later helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl during his stint there.

Named Tiana Baul "Junior" Seau when he was born in Jan. 19, 1969, Seau was drafted fifth overall by the Chargers in the 1990 draft.

He was a local legend in San Diego, first at Oceanside High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track and field. He earned recognition as a league MVP and was named by Parade Magazine to its high school All-American Team.

Seau played collegiately down the road in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California.

He was named to the Pro Bowl 12 times and made the league's list of All-Pro starts for 10 years. Seau was traded to the Dolphins on April 16, 2003 for a fifth-round draft pick.

In October 2010, problems in Seau's life became clear following a bizarre automobile accident. On Oct. 18, he drove his SUV off an embankment in Carlsbad and was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Seau told police he fell asleep hours after he was arrested on a felony domestic violence allegation and released, police said.

The Dolphins are aware of Seau's passing. The club is forming a statement.

[Update: Dolphins CEO has tweeted a statemet: “We are stunned and saddened at the passing of Junior Seau. During his time with the Dolphins he made a unique contribution to the team and the South Florida community.

“Junior was a fierce competitor whose passion and work ethic lifted his teammates to greater heights. His enthusiasm for the game was infectious and he passed that on to everyone who was around him. He loved the game so much, and no one played with more sheer joy.

“Beyond his accomplishments on the field, though, he was as well known for his charitable accomplishments to help those less fortunate than himself, especially kids. Whether it was in San Diego, South Florida, New England or everywhere else in between, Junior loved putting a smile on a child’s face during his “Shop with a Jock” program or during one of his countless school visits. He made a difference to so many people in so many places.

"Junior was one-of-a-kind. The league will never see anyone like him again. He will be missed, and on behalf of the Miami Dolphins we want to extend our condolences to his family.”]