Terrell Owens Is Upset That Seau Family Won’t Speak at Hall of Fame Induction
Add Terrell Owens to the list of people who are giving the Pro Football Hall of Fame the side-eye for not allowing Junior Seau's daughter to speak during her father's induction.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame formerly allowed for speeches on behalf of deceased players, but changed that practice in 2010, eliminating speeches and only presenting a video. Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker explained the new policy over the weekend to USA TODAY Sports, after many people were upset that the family of the late Junior Seau, would not be able to give an enshrinement speech at the ceremony.
Seau, one of the greatest linebackers to play the game, will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame on Aug. 8.
One of the many people upset about the situation is former NFL great Terrell Owens.
"I think that's terrible, to be honest. I think that's really terrible," Owens told TMZ Sports. "It's a time to recognize this guy and his accomplishments. If it wasn't for his family, there wouldn't be no Junior Seau. I think it's terrible if you ask me."
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“It’s frustrating because the induction is for my father and for the other players, but then to not be able to speak, it’s painful,” Seau's daughter, Sydney, told the New York Times. “I just want to give the speech he would have given. It wasn’t going to be about this mess. My speech was solely about him.”
Instead, the family will only be allowed to make a video message as part of the video shown for Seau. The 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker committed suicide in May 2012 with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was 43.
Studies revealed that Seau suffered from CTE, a chronic brain damage, which has been linked to deceased and retired NFL players.
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