I’m afraid of being average. I have a real fear of being just another linebacker.

Seau frames excellence as a psychological necessity rather than a mere professional goal. The “fear of being average” suggests a competitive identity built on distinction—he measures success not only by winning but by avoiding anonymity in a role where many athletes can blend into the system. By specifying “just another linebacker,” he highlights how specialization can still feel interchangeable at the highest level, intensifying the drive to stand out through preparation, leadership, and impact plays. The quote also hints at the costs of elite ambition: self-worth tethered to exceptional performance can create chronic pressure, making “average” feel like failure even when it would be objectively impressive.