RIP Junior Seau - Suicide Suspected

[PapaG]

WOW!!

http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/02/junior-seau-dead/#.T6F79uttrvY

NFL legend Junior Seau was found dead in his home in Oceanside, CA ... and a law enforcement source at the scene tells us cops believe he shot himself.

Seau was 43-years-old ... and leaves behind 3 kids and an ex-wife.

Cops are currently at Seau's home -- located in San Diego County -- and were seen talking with a man who was inside the house and appeared distraught.

We're told Seau sent text messages to his ex-wife and 3 kids yesterday saying, "Love you." We're told they all responded and didn't suspect anything was wrong. We're told he last saw his kids 3 weeks ago.

Sources close to Seau tell us family members didn't notice any signs of depression in recent weeks

 

[PapaG]

 

[porkchopexpress]

Whoa, that is a shock. It's on the local news down here right now. I never really followed his career much. Did he have concussion issues ever?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

lifes brightest lights cast shadows that can easily hide the depths of despair

 

[PapaG]

ESPN finally gets around to reporting it. Win, internet.

 

[porkchopexpress]

The local news is hinting that his car crash from a couple years ago may have been another attempt. The official story was he fell asleep at the wheel and drove off a cliff at 70 mph. I remember when it happened, it was assumed there were drugs/alcohol involved, but I guess there was no evidence of that. The story just went away. I had forgotten about it until just now.

So weird that ESPN still hasn't picked this up.

 

[porkchopexpress]

ESPN finally gets around to reporting it. Win, internet.

Where? They are still showing OTL, oh, nm it is on the ticker

 

[PapaG]

Where? They are still showing OTL, oh, nm it is on the ticker

The guy on OTL reported it at the beginning of the show. I imagine ESPN can't really go too much into it without confirmation from police and/or the coroner. It will be big, big news tonight, though. Arguably the greatest middle linebacker, with Ray Lewis right there with him (or maybe a bit ahead of Seau), of the past 25 years.

 

[porkchopexpress]

The guy on OTL reported it at the beginning of the show. I imagine ESPN can't really go too much into it without confirmation from police and/or the coroner. It will be big, big news tonight, though. Arguably the greatest middle linebacker, with Ray Lewis right there with him (or maybe a bit ahead of Seau), of the past 25 years.

Online it doesn't even mention he's dead. I know they're usually pretty cautious about breaking news like this, but still surprising that there isn't any mention of it online.

 

[Mamba]

As a die hard Bolts fan, this hits hard. R.I.P #55.

On the same note, its hard to fathom a reason to leave 3 children behind. Being an Angels fan, this is hard to stomach when you look back at Nick Adenhart having his life taken.

 

[porkchopexpress]

News conference is about to start in a few minutes.

 

[PapaG]

Chris Berman on ESPN News right now talking about it.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Wow. Tough loss. He was one of my football idols.

 

[Kamper]

Damn, what a tragedy, one of the best football players ever, a complete game changer. I sincerely hope this incident doesn't lend further credibility to the concussion issues that could potentially be the demise of football. I'm getting a feeling that these issues may compound and ultimately lead to the downfall of the sport.

Pure speculation but perhaps finances became an issue? I'm beginning to feel like the players should receive half of their yearly salary while playing, while putting half into a managed fund to prevent the wreckless spending habits that so many players seem to have. I'm not sure this idea could be implemented, it would probably have to wait until the next round of negotiations occur. I'd love to see all leagues take this approach. It's a tragedy to see so many players broke within a few years of exiting their leagues.

 

[tlongII]

Wow, what sad news! I would not be surprised if it is concussion related. I hope equipment manufacturers find a way to make better helmets.

 

[Masbee]

Conclusion

—The increased risk of suicide

among patients who had a mild traumatic

brain injury may result from concomitant
risk factors such as psychiatric conditions
and psychosocial disadvantage. The
greater risk among the more serious cases
implicates additionally the physical, psychological,
and social consequences of the​

injuries as directly contributing to the suicides​

​

​

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1763534/pdf/v071p00436.pdf

http://www.suicide.org/concussions-can-lead-to-suicide.html

Concussions Can Lead to Suicide

by Kevin Caruso
Concussions are a very common problem with athletes, particularly with football players. And many athletes who sustain concussions have complained of various problems afterwards, including depression and anxiety.....

Another very important study on concussions was presented at the 2003 meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. This study focused on retired pro football players and was titled, "Recurrent Sport-Related Concussion Linked to Clinical Depression."

The data for the study was from questionnaires that were completed by about 1,800 retired NFL football players in 2001. The average age of the responding player was 58. The questionnaires were designed and analyzed by The Center for the Study of Retired Athletes....

But the researchers found that a highly significant association existed between concussions and clinical depression.

Eleven percent of the respondents had been diagnosed with clinical depression, and 87 percent of those players still suffered from clinical depression. Of the 87 percent, 46 percent were being treated with antidepressants. Additionally, 64 percent of those with depression indicated that their depression limited their daily activities.

"The findings significantly underscore the importance of understanding and evaluating the potential neurological consequences of recurrent mild traumatic brain injuries," said co-author Dr. Bailes. "Not only do concussions and other head injuries in early adulthood significantly raise the risk of depression decades later, but concussions are reported to have a permanent effect on thinking and memory skills later in life."....

Because concussions can cause clinical depression, concussions can also lead to suicide because untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.
And since the effects of concussions can last for years or decades after they are sustained, depression and suicididal thoughs can surface at any juncture in the future. ....

And a study in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology indicates that concussions can indeed cause a myriad of problems and conditions
It should be noted that not all concussions cause chemical imbalances in the brain, depression, suicidal thoughts, or other problems, but many do, and thus all concussions need to be taken very seriously.
So it is clear that concussions should ALWAYS be taken seriously. Concussions can have long-term effects and can cause a variety of problems, including clinical depression, and can potentially lead to suicide.

much more at the links.

Unless they can find a way to show/prove/spin that this Hall of Fame football player did NOT die from a suicide caused by depression that may have been the result of repeated hits to the head, football in general and the NFL are going to have a hard time keeping things the way they are. Seau was a huge star and a big hero for a lot of fans. This is going to get the attention of a lot of folks who have not noticed this long building crisis. At a minimum, the NFL is going to have to pay to have players and ex-players monitored and tracked by professionals so if and when symptoms and problems crop up they can be treated.

​

 

[Masbee]

Wow, what sad news! I would not be surprised if it is concussion related. I hope equipment manufacturers find a way to make better helmets.

Helmets are vastly improved.

They only made the concussion "crisis" worse.

There were fewer concussions when helmets offered minimal protection.

 

[PapaG]

Helmets are vastly improved.

They only made the concussion "crisis" worse.

There were fewer concussions when helmets offered minimal protection.

Yep. The better helmets have allowed players to launch at an opposing player's head or body leading with their helmet. Back in the day, that was called spearing, and it was considered a taboo. Then, it changed to the more vague "Unnecessary Roughness", which is hard to quantify.

 

[Natebishop3]

If it was a suicide, I just don't understand why he didn't talk to someone. I think everyone has gone through a dark point in their lives, but you have to share with your friends and loved ones when you need help. A lot of people hide their feelings. Depression is a terrible thing. It can hide just under the surface where no one can see it. Everyone is saying they had no idea that Seau was depressed. Maybe they should have really dug deeper after that car wreck he was in.

The guy had three kids... just terrible thing.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If it was a suicide, I just don't understand why he didn't talk to someone. I think everyone has gone through a dark point in their lives, but you have to share with your friends and loved ones when you need help. A lot of people hide their feelings. Depression is a terrible thing. It can hide just under the surface where no one can see it. Everyone is saying they had no idea that Seau was depressed. Maybe they should have really dug deeper after that car wreck he was in.

The guy had three kids... just terrible thing.

I'm sure a lot of people were too busy asking for money from him.

 

[porkchopexpress]

If it was a suicide, I just don't understand why he didn't talk to someone. I think everyone has gone through a dark point in their lives, but you have to share with your friends and loved ones when you need help. A lot of people hide their feelings. Depression is a terrible thing. It can hide just under the surface where no one can see it. Everyone is saying they had no idea that Seau was depressed. Maybe they should have really dug deeper after that car wreck he was in.

The guy had three kids... just terrible thing.

Down here the news was speculating that he may have been in some sort of treatment after his crash. No one knew anything specific, but he was very low key (as in no one saw him) for a while after that. Who knows if that is true or not though. Marcellus Wiley was on earlier and said even when it came to injuries, Seau hating letting people seeing him hurt/injured. He later mentioned that maybe this was the same case for his personal issues, that he may have just masked the pain when in public so well none of his friends suspected anything.

 

[PapaG]

Down here the news was speculating that he may have been in some sort of treatment after his crash. No one knew anything specific, but he was very low key (as in no one saw him) for a while after that. Who knows if that is true or not though. Marcellus Wiley was on earlier and said even when it came to injuries, Seau hating letting people seeing him hurt/injured. He later mentioned that maybe this was the same case for his personal issues, that he may have just masked the pain when in public so well none of his friends suspected anything.

Or, the first attempt was the crash, and the demons never left him. I'm just incredibly sad for his family. I'm a Raider fan, but Seau was an opposing player you always respected, just because he was such a class act.

One of my favorite leadership moments from him is in this video. You know he must have been thinking 'I really have to deal with this idiot Leaf AGAIN??'.

[video=youtube;UMe0Rz1frdE]

 

[Denny Crane]

Whoa, that is a shock. It's on the local news down here right now. I never really followed his career much. Did he have concussion issues ever?

You live in San Diego?

 

[tlongII]

Helmets are vastly improved.

They only made the concussion "crisis" worse.

There were fewer concussions when helmets offered minimal protection.

Do you have any proof of this? I'm not saying your wrong, but I find it unlikely. I don't believe concussions were diagnosed as accurately in the past which could make them seem more common now.

 

[THE HCP]

My girlfriend during my Jr. year of HS killed herself during the end of our Sr. year.......... I am sorry, but this is a chicken-shit way of going out! He had 3 kids? Are you fucking kidding me? He fucked those kids over if you ask me. I wasn't sad when my ex committed suicide, I was mad at her for doing that to her friends and family.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Yeah. one of my close friend's dad commited suicide via GSW on May 1st....2 years ago.... really crazy shit...fucked up....I saw him a week before and he didn't look out of the ordinary and people said he wasn't acting differently or strange.....

I didn't even realize it when I IM'd him the Junior Seau story this AM...felt kind of bad after I realized it was a self inflicted wound.

 

[porkchopexpress]

You live in San Diego?

Yeah, right downtown. I've been down here almost 2 years.

 

[THE HCP]

Yeah, right downtown. I've been down here almost 2 years.

So you live 5 minutes from President Denny and you aren't even a MOD yet?

 

[Mamba]

My girlfriend during my Jr. year of HS killed herself during the end of our Sr. year.......... I am sorry, but this is a chicken-shit way of going out! He had 3 kids? Are you fucking kidding me? He fucked those kids over if you ask me. I wasn't sad when my ex committed suicide, I was mad at her for doing that to her friends and family.

I think that is a fair feeling, I usually feel the same way and I've felt the same way in the past when people close to me have killed themselves. It is extremely selfish and I can't fathom how you can leave your 3 children like that, but in all fairness, you nor I can ever truly know how bad the demons he was battling were. Marcellus Wiley was on the radio and he knew Junior very well. He was talking about how Junior would never get treated for injuries in front of his teammates because he never wanted to show weakness in front of them, so they could always rely on him, Wiley said that he thinks the same mentality came into play here.

I am extremely interested in the upcoming autopsy reports and brain studies. I wonder how much of an impact concussions, the big hits, and possible steroid usage had on him.

 

[Masbee]

Do you have any proof of this? I'm not saying your wrong, but I find it unlikely. I don't believe concussions were diagnosed as accurately in the past which could make them seem more common now.

Google is your friend.

But, yes, as you have already mentioned, there will be no "proof", as there werent brain scans back in the day.