Former NFL star Junior Seau, 43, apparently took his own life at his Oceanside, Calif., home Wednesday.
Oceanside police chiefFrank McCoy said authorities received a call from Seau’s girlfriend at approximately 9:45 a.m. PT. Seau suffered what seems to be a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest in his bedroom. First responders were unable to revive him.
The San Diego Chargers, Seau’s employers for 13 seasons, released a statement saying: “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.”
Dave Duerson, a star NFL safety from 1983-93, fatally shot himself in the chest Feb. 17, 2011, but instructed his brain be donated to Boston University, which is studying chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and how repeated blows to the head affect pro football players in their post-retirement years.
Hundreds of bystanders gathered outside Seau’s residence. Mourners also left flowers at his restaurant.
Several police officers surrounded an unmarked white van that backed up to Seau’s garage, and onlookers pointed camera phones toward the van. It departed the scene with two motorcycles and a police car providing an escort.
A few supporters yelled, “Junior!” as the van pulled away from the residence.
Family members then spilled out to the driveway, and a large green chair was brought to the driveway for Seau’s mother to sit. Visibly distraught, his mother then returned to the home.
Despite the large amount of people, it was a quiet scene, the sound of the wind and crashing waves most predominant.
The Seau family is asking their privacy be respected at this time. His sister and mother thanked well wishers while trying to cope with their shock. Seau’s grief-stricken mother asked bystanders to “Show your love to my son” (watch video).
“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.”
PHOTOS: Junior Seau’s NFL career in pictures
The Times reports Seau’s body was found by a maid.
“What made him tick was the emotional side of it. He played with a controlled fury, was an awesome thing to watch, him playing linebacker,” Seau’s former Chargers teammate, Billy Ray Smith, told KGTV-10 in San Diego. “The Seau Foundation … all the great things he did for kids.
“It’s crushing. Quite frankly, it’s just crushing. … I’m dying to know (what happened). It took one of my best teammates away.”
In a tragic coincidence, Seau becomes the eighth member of the 1994 Chargers, who lost Super Bowl XXIX to the 49ers, to die at a young age. The others: Chris Mims, David Griggs,Rodney Culver, Lewis Bush, Curtis Whitley, Shawn Leeand Doug Miller.
San Diego native and current Dolphins tailback Reggie Bush tweeted:
“R.I.P Jr. Seau one of the greatest players to play the game! Damn this one hurts San Diego! One of the greatest to to come from the city.”
Deion Sanders, who will likely one day be joined by Seau in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, tweeted his own thoughts:
“Junior Seau will certainly be missed. A great football player but a better man. He was classy,caring & courageous.God bless the Seau family”
Seau played linebacker for 20 NFL seasons, earning 12 Pro Bowl nods while being named first-team all-pro six times. A USC product, he was drafted fifth overall by the Chargers in 1990 and played for the Bolts during his prime years from 1990 to 2002.
He joined the Miami Dolphins in 2003 for a three-year hitch.
The Dolphins offered this statement:
“We are stunned and saddened at the passing of Junior Seau. During his time with the Dolphins he made a unique contribution to the team and the South Florida community. … Junior was a fierce competitor whose passion and work ethic lifted his teammates to greater heights. His enthusiasm for the game was infectious and he passed that on to everyone who was around him. He loved the game so much, and no one played with more sheer joy. …Junior was one-of-a-kind. The league will never see anyone like him again. He will be missed, and on behalf of the Miami Dolphins we want to extend our condolences to his family.”
After a four-day retirement following the 2005 season — Seau deemed it a graduation into the next phase of his life at the time — he reversed course to spend four final seasons (2006-09) with the New England Patriots. He played sparingly the final two years, joining the club at midseason in both cases, but continued on at the behest of coach Bill Belichick, who valued Seau’s legendary work ethic and leadership skills.
The Patriots released their own statement:
“We … 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.”