Junior Seau crossed paths with Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli while the two were with the New England Patriots. Seau announced his retirement from football (one of two retirement announcements) after a three-year stint with the Miami Dolphins, but less than a week a later he was back in the league, this time with New England.

Pioli released a statement on Wednesday night, remembering the player he calls a friend.

"I'm shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Junior Seau. Junior was a phenomenal football player, but more importantly a great man who I considered a friend. He was a player that always reminded us that football should be fun and he was a true joy to be around. This is a tremendous loss for all of those who were blessed to cross his path. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Seau's Patriots career was noteworthy for what he did to just get on the team. He announced his retirement in 2006 but signed with the Patriots in training camp four days later. He was named a team captain in 2007. He joined the Patriots in December of the 2008 season and then in October of the 2009 season. The comparison's not perfect, but he was New England's Mike Vrabel, the veteran the coaching staff wants around the younger players.