Junior Seau might have played at Southern California, but his influence was widespread.

When news of the former NFL star’s death spread, it was met with shock and sadness from his friends and associates in Hawaii.

"This is totally shocking," said Leo Goeas, a former University of Hawaii offensive lineman who was Seau’s teammate for three years with the San Diego Chargers.

"We were drafted the same year (1990) by the same team," Goeas said. "Those years in San Diego, we did a lot of things together. I went to his wedding. We hung out a lot."

Seau, a 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker in his 20-year NFL career, died Wednesday from what is being investigated as an apparent suicide.

As intense as Seau was on the field, Goeas remembered, "off the field, he was a very caring guy. He always threw little parties at his house, invite the guys over. He was very energetic. He loved life. … My memory of him is a guy who not only was extremely gifted athletically, but was a very quietly confident person. He wouldn’t run his mouth. He did things with his actions."

He established the Junior Seau Foundation. Local restaurateur Ted Davenport is a board member.

"He raised millions of dollars for the kids of San Diego," said Davenport, who was a partner with Seau in two restaurants and other business ventures in California. "He was a wonderful guy, a wonderful human being.

Seau was a role model to many, including players.

"He was one of the guys I looked up to when I was playing at UH," said Ma‘a Tanuvasa, a former UH defensive lineman.

Tanuvasa began his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, who play in the same division as Seau’s Chargers.

"To be on the same field with him, we got to know each other," Tanuvasa said. "When I got to San Diego (as a free agent in 2001), we really got close."

Their families would get together whenever Seau was in Honolulu, Tanuvasa said.

Seau often said if a player was not going to USC (Seau’s alma mater), the second choice should be UH, Rich Miano, a former UH associate head coach, said.

Miano, who played 11 years in the NFL, and Seau knew each other from various NFL functions.

"Junior was one of the greatest — if not the greatest — linebacker who ever played," Miano said. "(His death) is a total tragedy."

Former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann interacted with Seau through Pro Bowl activities.

"He always gave 100 percent," Hannemann said. "If they’re complaining about the lack of effort in this past Pro Bowl, it wouldn’t have happened if Junior Seau was playing. I watched him on the sidelines. He was always barking signals, encouraging teammates. He played until the very end."

Hannemann said Seau was a role model, particularly in the Samoan community.

"He played the sport well, and he gave back," Hannemann said. "He never forgot his roots. It’s very sad to hear of his untimely death."