Former Patriots linebacker Junior Seau found dead in apparent suicide

[a700hitter]

Former Patriots linebacker Junior Seau found dead in apparent suicide

Print Posted by Staff May 2, 2012 04:09 PM

 

Former Patriots linebacker Junior Seau has died of suicide, according to multiple reports. (Matthew J. Lee / Globe file photo)

 

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

Junior Seau, a 43-year old 12-time NFL Pro Bowl linebacker, was found dead today in his home, the result of a gunshot wound, police confirmed.

 

Police are investigating the shooting at the Oceanside, Calif., residence of the former New England Patriot and San Diego Chargers football star as a suicide. Police confirmed that Seau was found by his girlfriend at his beachfront home with a gunshot wound to his chest.

 

The Patriots released a statement on Seau's death:

 

Patriots statement on the death of Junior Seau: "We were shocked to hear of the initial reports regarding Junior Seau earlier today and are deeply saddened by the news of his death. We were fortunate to have had Junior join the Patriots in 2006 and are thankful for his many contributions to the team over the next four years. He had a legendary NFL career and his unrivaled passion for the game quickly made him a fan favorite here in New England. This is a sad day for the entire Patriots organization, our coaches and his many Patriots teammates. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his many friends who will mourn this loss."

 

The Chargers also released a statement:

 

"Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now. We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family."

 

"He was a local hero -- he certainly gave back to the community and to the youth through his Junior Seau Foundation," Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood told the North County Times. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

 

Seau's death, by gunshot wound to the chest, is similar to the way former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson died of suicide. Duerson shot himself in the chest on Feb. 17 -- a 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.

 

Several Patriots have released statements on Seau on Twitter, including Chad Ochocinco:

 

 

My prayers and condolences to the family of one of the NFL's greatest linebackers to ever play the game.. Junior Seau.. R.I.P

2 May 12

 

Seau's All-Pro NFL career spanned 20 seasons. He was drafted No. 5 overall in the 1990 draft out of the University of Southern California, and played 12 stellar years for the San Diego Chargers. He was named an all-pro 10 times and to the Pro Bowl all 12 seasons he was with the Chargers. In 1994, he was named the AFC Player of the Year.

 

In October 2010, problems in Seau's personal life surfaced when he drove his SUV off an embankment in Carlsbad, Calif., and he was hospitalized with minor injuries.

 

Seau told police he fell asleep hours after he was arrested on a felony domestic violence allegation and released.

 

In 2003, Seau was traded to the Miami Dolphins, but was released in March 2006. He was limited in his time with the Dolphins because of torn pectoral muscle.

 

Seau announced his retirement from football in 2006, but then days later was picked up by the Patriots. He went on to start 10 of 11 games played in the 2006 season before breaking his arm.

 

Seau, whose full name is Tiaina Baul Seau Jr., last played for the Patriots in 2009. He announced his intention to retire again in 2010.

 

In his career, he tallied 1,849 tackles and 56.5 sacks. In 38 games for the Patriots with 16 starts, he totaled 161 tackles (100 solo), 4.5 sacks, three interceptions and five passes defensed.

 

Seau is the eighth member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers, the team that lost Super Bowl XXIX to the 49ers, to die at a young age. The other '94 Charger players that have died: Chris Mims, David Griggs, Rodney Culver, Lewis Bush, Curtis Whitley, Shawn Lee, and Doug Miller.

[ellsburyforMVP]

Wow.... I know the pats signed junior at the tail-end of his career, but he was a true-"patriot" in every sense of the word.... Had nothing but respect for the man before and after he was a pat...... This literally just ruined my day....

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Seau was one of the only Pats I ever liked. He seemed like a real classy, nice guy. This is a complete shock. A damn shame.

[jacksonianmarch]

He's a f***ing coward. Killed himself leaving a wife and 3 kids.

[a700hitter]

He's a f***ing coward. Killed himself leaving a wife and 3 kids.

He should have killed them first.

[jacksonianmarch]

too soon?

[a700hitter]

too soon?

I think so.

[ellsburyforMVP]

too soon?

 

Would expect nothing less from a Yankee fan

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont feel sorry for him and won't offer RIP or anything like that. Just hope his kids can grow up well adjusted without their dad, who didnt want to be around for them. Douchebag

[User Name]

I dont feel sorry for him and won't offer RIP or anything like that. Just hope his kids can grow up well adjusted without their dad' date=' who didnt want to be around for them. Douchebag[/quote']

 

 

Aren't you a doctor? Aren't there supposed to be mental disorders that influence these kind of decisions?

[jacksonianmarch]

It's called major depression. I understand it well, although cannot ever sympathize with anyone who intentionally takes their life, especially those leaving children. It's the "easy way out", and the most selfish way to go. Now his kids get to deal with the aftermath.

[boston22407]

RIP hell of a football player.I bet something will come out with him having brain damage from playing in the NFL for 20 years

[a700hitter]

It's called major depression. I understand it well' date=' although cannot ever sympathize with anyone who intentionally takes their life, especially those leaving children. It's the "eaIsy way out", and the most selfish way to go. Now his kids get to deal with the aftermath.[/quote']

It is an incredibly selfish act. You don't experience your own death. Your love ones do. The victims-- those left behind that I have known of suicide are never the same.

[mvp 78]

For some people, it's hard to put themselves in the shoes of someone who has a mental disorder, possibly caused by decades of concussions. It's sad for all involved. As I have first hand knowledge of what it's like to have family members attempt suicide, there's nothing really to joke about. I guess living out some tough internet personna is more important to some people. Kinda pathetic if you ask me.

[BornToRun]

I think it's sad to see people rip a man who just couldn't live his life anymore. It's tragic but it's a sad fact of life that some people just reach the end of the line and feel as though they have no other option.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

..

 

..

 

I was gonna go into a full-blown diatribe about how suicide is anything but an 'easy way out', and about how anyone who was in enough pain to put himself in eternal nothingness is most definitely not 'selfish', and how anyone who would write off suicide victims in that manner is a worthless, unadulterated piece of dog s*** of such utterly staggering proportions... but I think a simple 'go f*** yourselves' works just the same. So, go f*** yourselves.

[User Name]

For some people' date=' it's hard to put themselves in the shoes of someone who has a mental disorder, possibly caused by decades of concussions. [/b']It's sad for all involved. As I have first hand knowledge of what it's like to have family members attempt suicide, there's nothing really to joke about. I guess living out some tough internet personna is more important to some people. Kinda pathetic if you ask me.

 

This. I'm surprised at Jacksonian's stance for exactly this reason. I have a couple friends who boxed for a significant number of years, and the pitiful state their psyche's in is completely out of their control, and no laughing matter.

[Bellhorn04]

For some people' date=' it's hard to put themselves in the shoes of someone who has a mental disorder, possibly caused by decades of concussions. It's sad for all involved. As I have first hand knowledge of what it's like to have family members attempt suicide, there's nothing really to joke about. I guess living out some tough internet personna is more important to some people. Kinda pathetic if you ask me.[/quote']

 

You're right, man. I have a lot of firsthand experience with depression, my mother suffered from it brutally, my wife suffers from it, and now I've experienced it too.

[jacksonianmarch]

My family has been hit by depression and suicide more than most. Depression is a serious and treatable disease. Not seeking help and killing yourself when nobody is dependent on you is your decision. It's still a selfish decision, but it is your decision. Ending your life with 3 kids dependent upon you is selfish. He "ended" his pain but created 3 lifelong pains that will never go away. I dont feel bad for him, I am mad at him.

[mvp 78]

I know you have schizophrenia and have tried to kill yourself several times, but you're a coward.

 

Feel free to keep repeating your position. Clearly, the more you say something, the more you will convince yourself you are right.

[a700hitter]

For some people' date=' it's hard to put themselves in the shoes of someone who has a mental disorder, possibly caused by decades of concussions. It's sad for all involved. As I have first hand knowledge of what it's like to have family members attempt suicide, there's nothing really to joke about. I guess living out some tough internet personna is more important to some people. Kinda pathetic if you ask me.[/quote']It is very sad for all involved. His pain is ended, but his family's pain will never end. They will endure emotions of guilt and anger. They had no control over the events that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. Seau did have some control. Yes, he was depressed and mentally ill, but his act was selfish. It is a sad story.

[a700hitter]

It is very sad that the guy committed suicide, but what is the sense of feeling sorry for him. It's over for him. I feel terrible for the living victims of his act.

[mvp 78]

It is very sad that the guy committed suicide' date=' but what is the sense of feeling sorry for him. It's over for him. I feel terrible for the living victims of his act.[/quote']

 

But he should have just killed them first, right? *laugh track*

[a700hitter]

But he should have just killed them first' date=' right? *laugh track*[/quote']I do favor dark humor. There's nothing wrong with that. Maybe it isn't you cup of tea. To each his own.

 

On a side note, his mother would have preferred that he killed her first, so in addition to being funny, there is an element of truth, which is the key to humor.

 

BTW: A few years ago when the Angels pitcher died tragically in a car crash, someone cracked that Disney was coming out with a sequel entitled "Angels in the Windshield." Very dark.

[Divinity]

Ending your life with 3 kids dependent upon you is selfish. He "ended" his pain but created 3 lifelong pains that will never go away. I dont feel bad for him' date=' I am mad at him.[/quote']

 

He did make nearly 30 million dollars during his NFL career, I'm sure the millions his kids are going to get will help ease the pain.

[a700hitter]

He did make nearly 30 million dollars during his NFL career' date=' I'm sure the millions his kids are going to get will help ease the pain.[/quote']I don't think so -- not at all.

[mvp 78]

There's a fine line between ignorance and humor. If you want to trample all over it, knock yourself out.

[a700hitter]

There's a fine line between ignorance and humor. If you want to trample all over it' date=' knock yourself out.[/quote']There is. I never heard of that fine line.

 

I think it may have been said that ignorance walks a fine line between humor and .... .

 

If you are trying to be clever in calling me ignorant, please try to make some sense or at least get the quote right.

[Youk Of The Nation]

It's called major depression. I understand it well' date=' although cannot ever sympathize with anyone who intentionally takes their life, especially those leaving children. It's the "easy way out", and the most selfish way to go. Now his kids get to deal with the aftermath.[/quote']

 

I understand your opinion, but there is so much more to this kind of situation than just taking the easy way out. I spend hours, at least every other day, contemplating doing what Seau did. Part of me knows it's not what I should be thinking about, but a larger part of my mind keeps saying 'yes, this is the right thing to do'. Most days all I can think about is how much I want to die, and I wake up nearly every morning disappointed by the fact that I woke up at all. I'm not saying this isn't terrible for his family, but considering the state of mind most people are in when they committ suicide, it's difficult for me, and it should be difficult for others, not to feel some sadness at the fact that the last days of someone's life were filled with an overwhelming sense that ending their life is the only right thing for them to do.

[Youk Of The Nation]

As for the dark humor, I have no problem with it. I am a dark humor man myself.