As I'm sure you're all aware of by now, it appears linebacker Junior Seau took his own life earlier today at the young age of 43. Given Seau's prominence in the NFL over the course of twenty seasons, his life and death no doubt touched many people around the league.

But there's one NFL player who might have quit the sport entirely before ever reaching his full potential if it weren't for the thoughtfulness of Seau. New Orleans Saints guard Eric Olsen shared a touching story from high school via Twitter earlier today when he heard the news of Seau's passing. Amid all the hoopla surrounding today's player suspensions, I thought it was special enough to warrant not only a mention but it's own post on the front page.

So I will let Eric share his heartwarming story, in case any of you might have missed it:

Wow this is a tough one.. When I was a frosh in HS Junior Seau worked the Jay Fiedler Football camp and at the end of one of the days he... Challenged any1 to a 1 on 1. Being one of the 'big' kids, I was volunteered by my buddies and went up in front of the whole camp to face... This monster of a man. Shaking in my cleats, he gave me a wink before a coach gave the cadence. He let me pancake him. And he sold it too... I can't even tell you how good I felt at that moment; it changed me forever. The whole camp cheered for me, a chubby kid that didn't know... If he even liked football. From then on I was addicted. All thanks 2 this 10 time all-pro that felt like making some snot-nosed kid's day...Doesn't seem like much but it meant a lot to me. Sorry for the essay just had to share. RIP Junior I'll never forget what you did for me.