Fifty-five. The number was in huge block letters on the field, on jerseys and indelibly etched in the hearts and minds of a few thousand fans who turned out to pay tribute to fallen Chargers hometown hero Tiaina “Junior” Seau during a celebration of life memorializing him May 11 at Qualcomm Stadium. At the end of the evening, the No. 55 was retired in honor of the standout linebacker and University of Southern California alum who played 13 seasons in San Diego and whose foundation has raised $4 million for charity, never to be worn again by another Charger player. Though the occasion was somber, the dialogue among ex-Chargers players and community leaders euologizing Seau — including Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts, star running back “LT” LaDainian Tomlinson, linebacker Billy Ray Smith, ex-coach Bobby “Boss” Ross and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders was uplifting. It was a remembrance of the player and man whose presence, which ended prematurely with suicide this month, ironically embodied life and the passion to live. Event Master of Ceremonies Miles McPherson, a former Chargers safety and senior pastor of The Rock Church in Point Loma, asked fans to reflect on Seau’s impact on their lives. “Identify one way his life is going to change your life,” McPherson implored. Pointing out the name Seau is “royalty in this town,” McPherson acknowledged the ceremony was to celebrate his “life and legacy.” “Your spirit and your passion will always be with us on Earth, No. 55,” said McPherson. McPherson said San Diegans should all take something away from Seau’s tragic death. “Look somebody in the eyes,” he said. “Let them know you love them.” Characterizing Seau as a “standout human being,” McPherson said Seau was an inspiration not only for his playing skills but for his “love for people.” Among those there to honor Seau was Laurette Schwab of San Carlos. “I just loved watching him at all the games and we’re just here for the celebration of life,” said Schwab. “He was a very special young man.” A face in the crowd painted with Chargers’ gold and blue and with the No. 55 displayed prominently was Robert Romas of Chula Vista. “He’s the epitome of a special person,” Romas said. “He’s a part of us. It’s all about Junior.” In discussing some of San Diego’s greatest former sports stars present for the Seau celebration of life — Fouts, NBA legend Bill Walton, Padres superslugger Tony Gwynn, Tomlinson and Smith — Sanders said Seau will always be central to the conversation. “Junior was the most charismatic,” said Sanders. “We’ll always remember the enormous force of his personality.” Having once asked Seau how to properly pronounce the last name, Fouts said Seau told him, “Se-au, because when I hit them, they ‘Say ow.’” But Fouts said Seau was “more than just the numbers.” “He was the ultimate leader, the ultimate teammate,” he said. Billy Ray Smith agreed. “He was a great friend and a great teammate,” said the former Chargers linebacker and now radio-TV personality. “I will miss you forever.” The praise kept coming, including the assessment by ex-Chargers coach Bobby Ross. “I’m proud to be a Charger too,” said Ross, who added that Seau was a “special player” and a “special person” who never took a game off. “He was always positive, upbeat. We’ll never forget that smile.” Via video feed, ESPN analyst Chris Berman noted, though he was a long way from Seau on the East Coast, that “you picked up where you left off” in conversations with him, adding it was rare for fans to have such fondness for a defensive player. “I couldn’t wait to see Junior Seau play,” Berman said. Pointing to heaven, LaDainian Tomlinson lauded Seau as a “good and loyal friend.” “He told me the true meaning of giving, which I’m still doing today because of him,” Tomlinson said adding, “He is still in everybody he touched. Junior lives through us.” Riding home on the trolley, John Silva of Point Loma said the ceremony was “great,” and that it was satisfying to see ex-Chargers and former coach Bobbie Ross from the 1990s again. Asked whether he thought the tragic way Seau died detracted from the observance, Silva replied, “It was more a celebration of his life when he was alive then a memorial, which was more for the family. It was more a happier situation then a sad one, a time to look forward.”