Marty Calls Junior Seau One Of The Best Ever

Junior Seau. I still can't believe the news that came down on Wednesday morning. Seau, 43, is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He leaves behind three children.

You say Seau and my mind immediately thinks of the Chiefs of the 1990s. The Chiefs and Chargers playing each other, and you knew two things -- Derrick Thomas would be harassing the Chargers QB and Seau would be a monster running all over the field. Two of the best linebackers ever on the same field twice a year.

Marty Schottenheimer, former Chiefs coach, came to San Diego and made the difficult decision to cut Seau, thinking he didn't have much time left, before the 2003 season. Seau played seven more years. Marty has the unique perspective of planning with and against Seau.

Jeffrey Flanagan of FOX Sports Kansas City quotes the former Chiefs coach:

"I always said that when I had Derrick Thomas in Kansas City, he had the quickest first step I'd ever seen. And with Junior, I thought he was the mos instinctive linebacker I'd ever seen.

"But when you're talking about the greats, guys like Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus, Tommy Nobis, Mike Singletary, I definitely believe that Junior Seau ranks right up there with all of them. He was that good.

"And he will be missed terribly."

Lots of memories in that story over at FOX Sports Kansas City.

The KC Star also has Marty quotes.