Seau brings passion to Patriots in latest un-retirement

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It was snowy with a chance of Seau. Four days after coming out of his third retirement, which included surfing two hours a day, Junior Seau romped in the snow against the Tennessee Titans, finishing with two tackles and a fumble recovery.

"I loved it," said the 40-year old veteran, who signed a one-year deal for $1.1 million to rejoin his former team. "On the fumble recovery, I just threw my big coconut butt on the ball."

Junior Seau's personality alone changes the face of the Patriots. (Getty Images)

On a day when the offense exploded into the record books, beating the Titans 59-0 the defense pitched a shutout. Wearing his red throwback uniform with "Pat Patriot" on the helmet, Seau was the ultimate legacy.

"Don't call those throwback jerseys," he pleaded. "I played against those jerseys!"

After 13 years with the San Diego Chargers, three in Miami and retiring in 2006, Seau joined the Patriots for 11 games in the fall of 2006. He returned in 2007 and contributed to New England's 16-0 regular season. Seau retired again after the Patriots lost to the Giants in one of the most exciting Super Bowls in history. It was Seau's second Super Bowl loss. In 1994, his Chargers were defeated by a Steve Young-led 49er team.

Seau called it quits for a third time after playing four games for the Patriots last season.

"I stayed in shape," Seau said, "mentally, physically and emotionally."

He also taped a show, Sports Jobs with Junior Seau, where the legendary linebacker drove a zamboni at an NHL game, caddied on the LPGA Tour and pretended to be a rodeo clown. The show will debut on Versus in December.

"But this is the ultimate reality show," said Seau, standing at his locker after the game. "I'm with the team that I love and I believe I have something to contribute."

Seau has been to 12 Pro Bowls and been a leader wherever he has been. In 1997, the Chargers voted him Most Inspirational Player. In 2003, he won the Dolphins' Leadership Award and in 1994, he was the NFL Man of the Year. Patriots players say no one can fire up a team before a game like Seau, and Belichick wanted him in the locker room. The owner of the team enthusiastically wanted Seau back.

"There aren't many like Junior Seau," said Robert Kraft, the Patriots CEO. "He has all the qualities you want in a player: skill, pride, passion. And he's honorable."

He is also honored.

"This is the only team I wanted to play for," said Seau. "Mr. Kraft has been wonderful to me. I asked him to present me with a big honor I was receiving this summer."

It might be too soon to tell if Seau's return will make a difference. But on Sunday, a Patriots defense that had been struggling made the Titans look like snow angels. Even with Adalius Thomas a "healthy scratch" (he was at home), the defense forced five turnovers. When LenDale White fumbled in the second quarter, Brady turned it into a beautiful flea-flicker, hitting Randy Moss on a 40-yard touchdown pass. After the Titans fumbled on their next play from scrimmage, Brady found Moss again. Suddenly the score was 24-0.

"You can't underestimate what Junior brings to this team," said Gary Guyton, the second-year inside linebacker who starts ahead of Seau. "He's in the weight room at 5:45 in the morning, he's all about hard work and he won't let us get complacent."

Brady said Seau plays "like a 25-year-old" and Belichick described Seau's first game back as "typical Junior being Junior."

Seau acknowledged that some things have changed in his 20 years in the league. Like roughing-the-passer calls.

"Please," he said in his best "I'm-a-professional-but-I'm disgusted" tone. "When I started, there wasn't such a thing as 'roughing the passer,' you just burst through the line and smashed a guy to the ground. And we had 'headaches' back then, not concussions. And what are 'high ankle' sprains? Back then you twisted your ankle."

Roughing-the-passer calls have been up this year. In 2008, there were 3.53 a game, this year it's more than 5. The NFL has been on a mission to emphasize the safety of the players, especially the quarterbacks.

"Times change," said Seau. "If you're going after the quarterback now, you have to have body control. You have to adjust."

It is ironic that Seau, himself a perennial retiree, has been high-fived for returning to the game he loves, while Brett Favre's return was met with a mixture of anger and resentment. One Patriot, who didn't want to be named, said it was because Seau "doesn't come with all the drama, doesn't play teams off against each other."

Seau even convinced Derrick Burgess to surrender jersey No. 55. Burgess was happy to make the deal, if it came with a few expensive dinners. Belichick, in a moment of extreme jocularity, even smiled when asked about his locker-room leader.

"Junior has a great approach to the game of football," said Belichick. "I don't think I've coached too many players who are more passionate, more enthusiastic than he is."

It remains to be seen how much Seau can contribute on the field, but his presence, literally and figuratively, is required on the team. I have only one question: Shouldn't he be Senior by now?