Ganigan, Seau each had the heart of a champion

It is coincidence they died on the same day. Both deaths were senseless and the result of violent acts. Both men leave behind many close loved ones as well as fans who marveled at and reveled in the successes of Andy Ganigan and Junior Seau.

Different people, from different places — Ganigan a Filipino from Waipahu, Seau a Samoan from San Diego. But they share the thread of inspiration through athletics. Both brought pride and hope to communities in need of success stories and role models.

Ganigan was a comet that streaked through the boxing world, knocking out Sean O’Grady and flooring Alexis Arguello. Seau wreaked havoc on NFL offenses every fall for two decades.

The "Sugar Man" was part of a long line of sweet scientists from Waipahu. They were hardened through Al Silva’s training and long runs through the cane fields.

Current WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria, nearly 30 years Ganigan’s junior, said Ganigan passed what he knew to the next generation.

"The original Hawaiian Punch. He was the one that showed me how to throw the body punch. I’m so sad on his passing and still haven’t processed it yet," Viloria wrote in an email. "I will always remember his teachings and guidance. Condolences to his family and he will be in my prayers."

Every football player of Samoan ancestry coming up the ranks seemed to claim Seau as a cousin in the 1990s. Whether true or not, Seau fully embraced the notion of extended family — with everyone, not just Polynesians.

There were great football players of Pacific Islander descent before Seau, but he was the first true superstar and the most famous for a long time. Many more came after him.

He was one of the most approachable players at the Pro Bowl, always with a smile. Seau had fun in Hawaii, but he gladly answered questions about issues, too. We had a brief but thoughtful conversation a couple of days before the 2002 Pro Bowl. He said the season that began with the training camp death of the Vikings’ Korey Stringer (due to heat stroke), closely followed by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, affected the players profoundly.

"Korey’s passing was a learning experience for us all. It’s sad that it took the death of a good man for us to learn that we have to train and take care of ourselves better," Seau said.

Haunting words today.

SOME FOLKS don’t want to acknowledge Andy Ganigan as a world champion boxer. His title was from the World Athletic Association — a short-lived entity created by Pat O’Grady because the World Boxing Association stopped recognizing his son as its champion, without Sean O’Grady having a chance to defend said title.

So on Oct. 31, 1981, along came Ganigan, who stopped O’Grady in the second round of the first WAA title fight. That makes him a world champion, in my book. No asterisk.

Junior Seau played in the NFL for 20 years. He played in two Super Bowls. His team didn’t win either.

But, as a fan of Ganigan and Seau noted on social media: "Champions come and go. Legends live forever."