Seau Memorial Friday Could Draw 60,000

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A public memorial expected to draw tens of thousands of fans is scheduled Friday evening for Junior Seau, the Chargers linebacker who fatally shot himself in the chest last week in his Oceanside home. Patch will be on scene at the memorial sharing photos and blogging starting at about 4:30 p.m.

Quarterback Dan Fouts, safety Rodney Harrison and running back LaDainian Tomlinson will speak at the "Celebration of Life" honoring Seau, the ex- linebacker who . Harrison, in particular, has spoken passionately about how the 43-year-old Oceanside native mentored him after he was drafted.

Other scheduled speakers include Bobby Ross, the head coach of the lone Chargers team to go to the Super Bowl; former Tampa Bay and Denver standout safety John Lynch; and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m., though officials urge fans to use public transportation and arrive early. The service is the only one that will be open to the public.

Both the Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District plan to to accommodate fans. The parking lot will open at 2 p.m. and the stadium will open at 4:30 p.m., according to the Chargers.

Miles McPherson, senior pastor at The Rock Church, will speak and serve as master of ceremonies. Shawn Mitchell, senior pastor at New Venture Christian Fellowship, will also be part of the program.

Fans will have the opportunity to leave personal messages for the Seau family on the Plaza Concourse between Gates C and D.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Seau's honor to the Junior Seau Foundation at tables located around the Plaza Concourse. Donations also can be mailed to the foundation at 5275 Market St., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92114, or made online at juniorseau.org.

-City News Service