Junior Seau's family won't disrupt Hall of Fame ceremonies, says lawyer: Report

The family of the late Junior Seau will not disrupt the Hall of Fame ceremonies on Aug. 8 despite its disagreement with a policy preventing live remarks during a posthumous induction.

Steve Strauss, legal counsel to the Seaus and partner at Cooley LLP, said in an email Monday night that the family "does not want this issue to become a distraction to Junior's accomplishments and legacy or those of the other inductees."

Seau, who killed himself in 2012, will be saluted with a video presentation in which his daughter, Sydney, will speak. But Hall policy does not allow for live speeches during a posthumous induction.

Before his tragic death, Seau told his family that if he was ever inducted to the HoF, the 14-year NFL veteran wanted Sydney to give his induction speech.

"The Seau family appreciates the overwhelming support for Sydney Seau to be able to accept Junior's induction into the Hall of Fame live and in her own words," Strauss said. "Unfortunately, the Hall of Fame is unwilling to reverse its decision despite communicating to the family earlier this year that Sydney would be able to speak at the ceremony. Contrary to the most recent statement by the Hall of Fame, the family does not support the current policy that prevents family members from delivering live remarks on behalf of deceased inductees.

"The Seau family never intended to use the Hall of Fame as a platform to discuss the serious mental health issues facing the NFL today, which are most appropriately addressed in a legal forum," Strauss said. "The Seau family looks forward to celebrating Junior's extraordinary accomplishments at the Hall of Fame."

Hall representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement from Hall executive vice president Joe Horrigan last Friday, a 2010 policy was referenced.

"The policy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2010 regarding individuals enshrined posthumously provides for an expanded presenting video (longer than the videos of living inductees) followed by the traditional unveiling of the bronzed bust and no additional comments made from the podium," Horrigan said.

The 2011 induction used such a format when former Los Angeles Rams star Les Richter was inducted posthumously.

Junior Seau's family won't be allowed to speak at Hall of Fame induction: Report

It’s always a bittersweet moment when a former National Football League player gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame posthumously. And when Junior Seau enters the Hall next month, the scenario will be way more bitter than sweet.

Before his tragic death, Seau told his family that if he was ever inducted to the HoF, the 14-year NFL veteran wanted his daughter Sydney to give his induction speech.

However, it doesn't look like she will get a chance.

HoF spokesman Joe Horrigan spokesman told the New York Times that Sydney won't be allowed to speak due to a recent policy change. Under the new policy, deceased inductees are introduced with a video that's put together by NFL Network.

"There was an acceptance speech for deceased players but it got redundant," Horrigan told the Times. "The honor is supposed to be for the individual."

Living inductees are also introduced by a video, but after the video's shown, a presenter comes out on stage and gives what usually ends up being a pretty emotional speech.

Presenters used to come out on stage to introduce deceased inductees, but the HoF changed its policy "a few years ago."

David Baker, executive director of the Hall, told the Times that Seau's suicide and his family's pending lawsuit against the NFL had nothing to do with the decision in this case.

“We’re not the N.F.L., but the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” said Baker. “Our mission is to honor the heroes of the game, and Junior is a hero of the game. We’re going to celebrate his life, not the death and other issues.”

Seau’s video will not mention the lawsuit that Seau’s family has filed against the NFL, although the league has publicized its crusade to curb injuries in active players and address brain disease among its almost 20,000 retired players.

Seau’s video tribute will be five minutes, two minutes longer than for living inductees, Horrigan said. It will include parts of an interview his daughter gave to NFL Network before, she said, she learned that no one would be making a speech.

Giants great Harry Carson on NFL career: 'It's not really worth it'

Legendary New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson is the latest former NFL player to come out against the consequences of a career in football.  In an interview with Dr. Max Gomez of CBS News New York, the 58-year old Carson made the startling confession that the fame and success that came with an NFL career wasn't worth the risk.

"Knowing what I know now," the Hall of Famer said. "If I had to do it all over again, I would not because it's not really worth it."

Carson— who was always known as a thinking man's player— has been diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome and told CBS that he had suffered at least 15 concussions during his playing career and most went undiagnosed and were damaging.

"I was forgetting what I was talking about while people were asking me questions," the nine-time Pro-Bowler said.

Carson played 13 seasons (1976-88) with the Giants, won a Super Bowl in 1986 and is one of the revered members of the New York Giants Ring of Honor.

Still, with all of the success and accolades his football career brought him, Carson thinks he paid too dearly for it.

"There was times I was dealing with little bouts of depression," he said.

Now, after the recent suicide of Junior Seau and the New Orleans Saints Bountygate, Carson is advising parents to steer their children away from the sport he once loved.  He already made it clear he does not want his 2-year old grandson to ever put on the pads.

"I told his mother he's not going to play football," said Carson.

While Carson always did most of his talking on the field— his physical speech is even slower and more deliberate now— his message about the long term effects of the sport is clear.

"I hope that every parent understands what they're doing to their child," he said. "When they sign a consent form to allow that kid to play."

Tim Tebow comments on Junior Seau at charity event

There were a lot of head-turning celebrities at Monday night's big-time fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

They didn't nickname this annual event the "Oscars of the East" for nothing.

The red carpet was filled with all the beautiful people wearing anything by everyone— including actresses Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Alba and singer Beyonce.  Even big time athletes including Tom Brady (with wife and Patriots receivers coach Gisele Bundchen), Victor Cruz, Carmelo Anthony and Amare' Stoudemire (wearing this season's latest fashion accessory— the hand bandage) made the scene.

Once again, a lot of the attention seemed to directed at New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow who wore a Ralph Lauren blue label tux while strutting down the carpet.

While Tebow joked that it took him only "12 minutes" to get ready, he got serious when he was asked about the suicide of retired NFL star Junior Seau.

Tebow took time out during the gala to turn the talk away from his attire and reminisce about the football great.

"So many young athletes like myself looked up to him and watched him." said Tebow.

"I met him one day after he came to the Florida-Georgia game when he played then and just had the best time with him afterwards and I'm just extremely sad for him and his family and wish him support and I know I'll be praying for him."

In case you're wondering, Rihanna was in a long-sleeved black snakeskin dress by Tom Ford.