[JABEE]

Damn, bummer. Didn't he drive his car off a cliff or something a couple years back? Seemed like it may have been a suicide attempt at the time, if I remember correctly.

Yeah. he told the police he just fell asleep at the wheel. Most thought it was a suicide attempt.

[MThanded]

wtf

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

What a shame. He's had some troubles recently, but damn, you can't go out like this.

[sangreal]

Damn, bummer. Didn't he drive his car off a cliff or something a couple years back? Seemed like it may have been a suicide attempt at the time, if I remember correctly.

You know, that is the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread but then I convinced myself I was thinking of someone else. You're right

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Regardless of whether it's not a contributing factor, is a contributing factor, or is the direct cause, I hope his family sees the value in allowing doctor to conduct relevant post-mortem analyses of his brain so that they can add to the growing body of research studying the impact of playing pro sports / receiving head injuries on later mental health issues.

Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest according to TMZ.

He knew what he was doing by saving his brain for study.

[Cat Party]

I mean, seems like all the concussive sports are having suicide issues. Football, hockey and professional wrestling.

I wonder how much of it has to do with hits to the head and how much of it has to do with these sports attracting guys with predispositions to problems like depression. Either way, much more light needs to be shined on these issues.

[Zeliard]

That's horrible :(

[Talon]

and you like little puppies? is there a link to on-field head/brain injuries and this kind of stuff? I don't really follow the sport.

Turns out hard body collisions over the span of 10-15 years plus college/high school ball lead to brain trauma.

Funny how that works.

[LiquidMetal14]

Regardless of whether it's not a contributing factor, is a contributing factor, or is the direct cause, I hope his family sees the value in allowing doctor to conduct relevant post-mortem analyses of his brain so that they can add to the growing body of research studying the impact of playing pro sports / receiving head injuries on later mental health issues.

Rome is talking about this too and how the NFL needs to take care of their players after shots to the head. It can have terrible effects as it may seem here.

[Baconsammy]

I'm pretty sure he isn't a Hall of Famer yet.

[Ninja Scooter]

When they open up his brain and find out it looks like that of an 80 year old with dementia it will be another nail in the eventual coffin of football as we know it. I have no idea why tackle football isn't already banned at the peewee/pop warner level, but that's coming, and high schools will follow suit.

[specialguy]

Cant believe there's still nothing about this on ESPN.com or ESPN radio. Guess they dont wanna jump the gun on TMZ reporting.

[shira]

Regardless of whether it's not a contributing factor, is a contributing factor, or is the direct cause, I hope his family sees the value in allowing doctor to conduct relevant post-mortem analyses of his brain so that they can add to the growing body of research studying the impact of playing pro sports / receiving head injuries on later mental health issues.

Why? Do you really think this will change anything? The data is already out there. People just choose to watch football anyways.

[rhfb]

Really? Man that sucks. RIP

[Baconsammy]

Cant believe there's still nothing about this on ESPN.com or ESPN radio. Guess they dont wanna jump the gun on TMZ reporting.

Watching NFL Network right now. No mention of it. Just the Saint's Bounty Gate suspensions over and over.

[JB1981]

When they open up his brain and find out it looks like that of an 80 year old with dementia it will be another nail in the eventual coffin of football as we know it. I have no idea why tackle football isn't already banned at the peewee/pop warner level, but that's coming, and high schools will follow suit.

Terrible. That HBO special on this was really eye opening.

[ChiTownBuffalo]

When they open up his brain and find out it looks like that of an 80 year old with dementia it will be another nail in the eventual coffin of football as we know it. I have no idea why tackle football isn't already banned at the peewee/pop warner level, but that's coming, and high schools will follow suit.

This is supposing he left his brain intact, like Dave Duerson.

[specialguy]

Rome is talking about this too and how the NFL needs to take care of their players after shots to the head. It can have terrible effects as it may seem here.

How do we know this is somehow cause by head blows? If thats the case boxing should never exist, or UFC, or any sport really.

What you'd really have to prove is with a big 'ol study that suicide rates are higher in ex NFL players than the general population, just for starters, and I suspect they're not.

Plus who knows how much this dude roided up, why couldn't that be a contributer?

In short, stop trying to ban football, thx. People whine about the NFL being too wussy nowdays, then you have a bunch of people whining from the other end that it needs to be more wussy. STOP. It's like you guys literally complain so you'll have more stuff to complain about. You'll all be complaining next time a 15 Yd flag is thrown for a QB tapped on the helmet next.

[SteveWinwood]

Shot himself in the chest? That's what Dave Duerson did. He knows the value of his brain for study. Sad loss.

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Cant believe there's still nothing about this on ESPN.com or ESPN radio. Guess they dont wanna jump the gun on TMZ reporting.

They have their own asshole that want t confirm it and then they can report it as fact.

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Why? Do you really think this will change anything? The data is already out there. People just choose to watch football anyways.

It provides invaluable research into the study of CTE. As reported by TMZ, he shot himself in the chest. His wishes were clear.

You can't exactly slice up someone's brain while they're alive.

[TheNatural]

Scanning the news and saw this. Just wanted to say, it's been pointed out this is the eighth member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers Super Bowl team to pass away.

I just read the other day about some 24 year old male model committing suicide too. Just boggles my mind, no amount of money or status or physical gifts you have - everyone can be pretty vulnerable to being in a dark place to do this.

[LiquidMetal14]

Why? Do you really think this will change anything? The data is already out there. People just choose to watch football anyways.

That has nothing to do with my enjoyment. People watch football because it's a great sport. There are many things happening now and also things in the works to protect players from traumatic head shots with long term effects. I will always watch football for the competition. Not the hard hits.

Scanning the news and saw this. Just wanted to say, it's been pointed out this is the eighth member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers Super Bowl team to pass away.

Rome mentioned it, yes.

[polyh3dron]

My most recent memory of Seau was when he did that show called "Sports Jobs with Junior Seau" and he did the job of UFC Cornerman, cornering Forrest Griffin in his ill-fated fight against Anderson Silva when Silva turned into Neo from The Matrix.

[r3d panda]

As a diehard Charger fan, this hit hard. He was the face of our franchise for many years and did great things in our city. I still go to his restaurant to drink before games.

RIP Junior.

[Stumpokapow]

Why? Do you really think this will change anything? The data is already out there. People just choose to watch football anyways.

It will impact the types and levels of protective equipment as well as the play style. It will impact medical guidance on players who receive head injuries--should they sit out longer or retire altogether. It will impact the variety of play that is legal at the junior or peewee levels.

Hockey players 35 years ago often didn't wear helmets, goalies almost never wore face masks (face masks were only created 65 years ago to begin with), visors still aren't mandatory, and it's only recently that junior leagues started requiring visors or cages. Padding in general is much higher now in most sports than ever before.

[entrement]

Wow. Sad to hear.

[Talon]

That has nothing to do with my enjoyment. People watch football because it's a great sport. There are many things happening now and also things in the works to protect players from traumatic head shots with long term effects. I will always watch football for the competition. Not the hard hits.

The thing is that it's not just the hard hits that cause brain damage. It's disingenuous for the NFL to stick to that message.

Linemen are the most affected group, and it's not because they're taking shots. It's those seemingly innocent collisions in the line. Each shock takes its toll over the years. It's effectively bruising yourself repeatedly.

[speculawyer]

Financial problems perhaps? A lot of NFL players find themselves in financial trouble after leaving the league.

[TheNatural]

My main memory of Seau, besides being a dominant player, was a long running sort of joke with my friends. He was always the mainstay lasting player to have been in Tecmo Super Bowl for the NES. I think he was the last remaining active player who was in the game, outside of maybe a kicker not coming to mind.

[jmdajr]

nfl.com/espn so behind on this story.... I don't know how TMZ does it.

Yeah TMZ never seems to be wrong :\

[ChiTownBuffalo]

How do we know this is somehow cause by head blows? If thats the case boxing should never exist, or UFC, or any sport really. What you'd really have to prove is with a big 'ol study that suicide rates are higher in ex NFL players than the general population, just for starters, and I suspect they're not. Plus who knows how much this dude roided up, why couldn't that be a contributer? In short, stop trying to ban football, thx. People whine about the NFL being too wussy nowdays, then you have a bunch of people whining from the other end that it needs to be more wussy. STOP. It's like you guys literally complain so you'll have more stuff to complain about.

The type of head trauma in boxing, MMA versus sports like football, hockey and pro wrestling are totally different. You need to consider frequency, length of recovery before resuming said head trauma, and frequency of exposure. The presence of helmets in hockey and football expose their players to a greater risk than boxers or MMA fighters.

[DY_nasty]

The guy was so young too. Heard he did a lot of great work in San Diego as well...

RIP

[LiquidMetal14]

The thing is that it's not just the hard hits that cause brain damage. It's disingenuous for the NFL to stick to that message. Linemen are the most affected group, and it's not because they're taking shots. It's those seemingly innocent collisions in the line. Each shock takes its toll over the years. It's effectively bruising yourself repeatedly.

I get all that for sure. It's the main hard hits which cause most of the trauma though. As someone who's been into sports for almost 30 years, this is something that is on everyone's mind.

[GodofWine]

Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest according to TMZ. He knew what he was doing by saving his brain for study.

Came here to post that...RIP Junior.

NFL is going to be shutdown in 10 years due to lawsuits and reduced number of kids playing the sport...just heard a Brian Dawkins interview after he announced his retirement, his kids play soccer now...who in their right mind would let their kids play football.

[marrec]

In short, stop trying to ban football, thx. People whine about the NFL being too wussy nowdays, then you have a bunch of people whining from the other end that it needs to be more wussy. STOP. It's like you guys literally complain so you'll have more stuff to complain about. You'll all be complaining next time a 15 Yd flag is thrown for a QB tapped on the helmet next.

People like you are the reason it's taken this long to get the game changed and you should feel ashamed of yourself.

[ElectricBlanketFire]

nfl.com/espn so behind on this story....

They have much more invested in this story. PR people are probably scrambling right now.

[Forever]

Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest according to TMZ. He knew what he was doing by saving his brain for study.

That's pretty noble of him. I'd much prefer doing myself in through the head. Seems like it'd be less painful.

[Darth Pinche]

Man this just sucks! RIP ,Junior.
I grew up in San Diego and cheered for him from the stands and ate at his restaurant back in the day. I hope you will be at peace now.

[Baconsammy]

On the same day that players are being suspended for willfully injuring other players for bonus pay. I love the NFL, but damn does it have issues.

[JumpingTheGun]

Terrible. That HBO special on this was really eye opening.

what special? is it still on?

[computers putin']

I've had it in mind for years that if I ever had a son I would never try and push him into any type of contact football, it's just not worth it considering the long term ramifications. All the damage these players accumulate over the years seem to really add up.

[Tenks]

On the same day that players are being suspended for willfully injuring other players for bonus pay. I love the NFL, but damn does it have issues.

Wasn't Junior a bit of a head case before entering the NFL?

[shira]

It will impact the types and levels of protective equipment as well as the play style. It will impact medical guidance on players who receive head injuries--should they sit out longer or retire altogether. It will impact the variety of play that is legal at the junior or peewee levels. Hockey players 50 years ago often didn't wear helmets, goalies almost never wore face masks. Padding in general is much higher now in most sports than ever before.

No, your opinion is too simplistic. We know ANY impact causes brain damage, even soccer headers. You can't make a helmet, or a pad, that protects well enough. or make a rule change unless you radically change the game. IE touch football

That has nothing to do with my enjoyment. People watch football because it's a great sport. There are many things happening now and also things in the works to protect players from traumatic head shots with long term effects. I will always watch football for the competition. Not the hard hits. .

Saying you enjoy football for the competition is naive. Dudes are slowly screwing up their brains every play. You just don't notice or care because it is a slow process. If someone died from a superhit you would ban that, but core elements of hockey/football cause brain damage. No way around that.

Rip jr.

[GodofWine]

He's the 8th player from the 1994 Charger Superbowl team to die..3 heart issues, 1 suicide, 4 just unlucky (plane crash, car crashes, lighting strike...).

[VindicatorZ]

He also played for my Miami Dolphins for a couple of seasons. I was a big fan of his. He's an NFL legend. Very sad news, way too young to go man.

[Angry Fork]

I don't watch football so I had no clue there was such a crisis about this kind of thing. Are young people really less likely to play football now? or is the sport having serious issues in regards to safety?

[Striker]

He's the 8th player from the 1994 Charger Superbowl team to die..3 heart issues, 1 suicide, 4 just unlucky (plane crash, car crashes, lighting strike...).

I read through that. Those circumstances, just strange.

RIP Junior. One of my favorite players to watch growing up.

[U2NUMB]

Horrible news.. so sad. But not sure we should be jumping to the reasons so quickly. We have no idea what was going on in his personal life and it may or may not have had anything to do with playing in the NFL.

Super sad though ..

[Brimstone]

Scanning the news and saw this. Just wanted to say, it's been pointed out this is the eighth member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers Super Bowl team to pass away. I just read the other day about some 24 year old male model committing suicide too. Just boggles my mind, no amount of money or status or physical gifts you have - everyone can be pretty vulnerable to being in a dark place to do this.

Being good looking or rich won't let a person overcome depression. Just like a person with a blood disorder can't just can't wish it away.

I'm personally somewhat skeptical about head injuries and the NFL. I think there may be a genetic downside to athletic performance. High serotonin levels propel elite level athletes. As they age what happens to these serotonin levels and is the person able to cope with the chemistry of the brain changing.