I came close to buying a surfboard being advertised on Craigslist by Donald Takayama's surfboard shop in Oceanside. It was a custom order made for Junior Seau, a close friend of Donald's. I saw them in the water occasionally over the years... a happy guy who seemed to love everything...smiled a lot.

Junior was a Chargers linebacker, much loved in San Diego. Some say trading him was the beginning of the end for the team in San Diego.

"Say Ow"

Despite owning a successful restaurant near the stadium and enjoying an exalted post-career status in San Diego he was overcome by depression. He ended it, before the board he ordered was finished, with a shotgun blast to his chest so that his brain would be intact for research.

I called the shop, got the lowdown on Junior's new custom board, and passed on it. Too sad.

That's when I lost all interest in football.