The body of former Patriots linebacker Junior Seau was discovered in his California home on Wednesday morning, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He was only 43-years old.
It’s hard not to wonder if Seau’s suicide has anything to do with trauma to the brain, which has caused many premature deaths in former NFL players.
It’s worth noting that his suicide is similar to the way former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson committed suicide. Duerson shot himself in the chest on Feb. 17 — the method used so that his brain could be examined for symptoms of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a trauma-induced disease common to NFL players and others who have received repeated blows to the head.
Problems in Seau’s personal life made headlines in 2010 when he drove his SUV off an embankment in Carlsbad, Calif., and was hospitalized with minor injuries just hours after he was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge. Seau told police he fell asleep at the wheel.
Seau played 19 seasons in the NFL with three teams, the last of which being the Patriots from 2006-2009. Over the course of his career, Seau tallied 1,849 tackles, 56.5 sacks, and made 12 Pro Bowls.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Seau’s family and friends. It’s a shame that Junior didn’t live long enough to see himself become a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Such a sad ending to a great career.
Original Story:
http://www.beantownbanter.com/pats/ju...
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May 02, 2012
