The Sports Xchange

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick had some heartfelt words to describe Junior Seau as the late linebacker gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Belichick was asked Saturday to reflect on his time coaching Seau, who played for the Patriots from 2006 to 2009.

“The one word I’ve always used with Junior is ‘passion,'” Belichick said. “Of all the players I’ve coached, his passion for the game, in every sense of it, was exceptional.

“In the building. In the classroom. On the practice field. Around his teammates. In the games. On the sidelines, whatever it was, that was the one thing about Junior that was always exceptional relative to other players. Forget about ability and all that, but as a playing style, his true passion for the game of football.

“Junior and I personally had a great relationship, and he was on this team for different parts of four seasons. He was always a very honest, up-front, team-oriented player. He brought a lot to this team, this organization. I think all of us that interacted with him while he was here feel privileged to have had that opportunity to play with or coach Junior. He was pretty special, aside from all the accolades that he rightly deserves for his playing ability and production. I’m talking about all the other things.

“Well-deserved and we’re very proud of his recognition. I’ve expressed that to his family on behalf of our organization. We were fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him.”

Seau was an eight-time All-Pro and 12-time Pro Bowl player with the San Diego Chargers (1990-2002). He also played with the Miami Dolphins (2003-05) and Patriots (2006-09). He was named to the all-decade team of the 1990s.

After battling depression and behavioral changes, Seau died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest in 2012 at the age of 43.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame decided to allow Seau’s daughter, Sydney Seau, to speak at the induction ceremony Saturday in Canton, Ohio, after the unveiling of her late father’s Hall of Fame bust.