Bill Belichick, Tom Brady think Junior Seau is a Hall of Fame lock

Steven J. Gaither

Bill Belichick, Tom Brady think Junior Seau is a Hall of Fame lock image

Junior Seau’s case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has two big supporters, even though neither one has a vote.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady strongly endorsed the late former New England linebacker, who is among the 15 modern-day finalists for this year’s class.

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"It's obviously got to happen,'' Belichick said on Thursday, according to ESPN.com. "I can't imagine having a Professional Football Hall of Fame without Junior Seau in it.''

Brady said he had “no doubt” that Seau would get in.

"He was a phenomenal player, teammate, friend,'' Brady said per ESPN's report. "His attitude was infectious. He brought enthusiasm every day to practice. He showed up in the room and he'd be the first person there at six in the morning on the treadmill running, going into his 18th year in the league."

Seau finished his career with the Patriots, playing for them from 2006 to 2009. The 12-time Pro Bowl selection is in his first year of eligibility. Seau spent 13 of his 20 NFL seasons with the Chargers, whom he helped lead to Super Bowl XXIX. The Chargers posthumously retired his No. 55 in 2012.

Seau committed suicide on May 2, 2012. Nearly three years later, Brady still feels his former teammate’s impact.

"He had a love for life and he's missed by all of his family and friends, and certainly by me and the guys that had a chance to be around him,” Brady said. “He was a special person.''

The 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be announced Saturday.

Steven J. Gaither