SAN DIEGO -- LaDainian Tomlinson is the best running back to play for the San Diego Chargers.

Tomlinson, however, described his mentor, linebacker Junior Seau, as someone who not only was one of the best linebackers to play the game, but an iconic figure whose presence reached beyond the game of football.

Considered a slam dunk to punch his ticket into the Pro Football Hall Fame, former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau joined that select group in his first year of eligibility on Saturday.

"What Junior did in my opinion is transcend the outside linebacker position,” Tomlinson said. "If you look at where he started at USC as an outside pass-rusher going to what he became as a dominant outside linebacker, who else can you say did that? At the time he played, you can say every single year he was the best outside linebacker.”

Seau played 20 seasons for three different teams, was voted to the Pro Bowl 12 times and was named first-team All-Pro eight times. Seau played in 268 games, the second most of any linebacker in NFL history. He finished with 1,522 tackles, 56.5 sacks and 18 interceptions.

Seau played in two Super Bowls, including the Chargers' only appearance in franchise history when they lost 49-26 to the 49ers in 1995. He was named to the 1990s All-Decade team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Seau not only played with a relentless effort, but with exceptional athleticism for a linebacker.

"I learned so much watching the way he worked and approached practice,” said Seau's former teammate, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. "Every practice was a game. He was so intense and played the game with such passion, which is the way it should be played.”

The late Seau played his final four seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots from 2006 to 2009, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLII.

"He was a phenomenal player, teammate, friend,” New England quarterback Tom Brady said. "His attitude was infectious. He brought enthusiasm every day to practice. He showed up in the room and he'd be the first person there at six in the morning on the treadmill running, going into his 18th year in the league. He had a love for life and he's missed by all of his family and friends, and certainly by me and the guys that had a chance to be around him. He was a special person.”

Said New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick during Tuesday's Media Day at the Super Bowl: "Junior Seau is the Hall of Fame."