Ads by Google Ads by Google

OCEANSIDE: SAMOAN COMMUNITY HONORS HOMETOWN HERO

The Oceanside Samoan community plans to honor hometown hero and football star Junior Seau on Saturday as part of its annual Samoan Cultural Celebration.Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, D-American Samoa, Mayor Jim Wood, the Seau family and several of Seau's football friends are set to honor Seau's legacy in a ceremony at 2:15 p.m. at Oceanside's Junior Seau Pier Amphitheatre.The event is part of an all-day celebration that includes Samoan cultural song and dance performances, Christian services and an award ceremony.Oceanside is home to one of the highest concentrations of Samoan Americans in Southern California.The city was shocked by Seau's sudden death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 2.Seau was an Oceanside native who played on Oceanside High School's varsity football team, then at the University of Southern California, and later was a star player for the San Diego Chargers. He retired from professional football in 2010 and was a prominent figure around the Oceanside community until his death at age 43.Wayne Godinet, co-chairman of the Samoan cultural celebration committee, said Seau's influence in the community was deep, both on and off the field.