Chargers LB Junior Seau and CTE
It seems like just yesterday Junior Seau was playing linebacker for the San Diego Chargers. Seau, whom played for the Bolts from 1990 to 2002, was a staple in Southern California and in the Chargers organization. Today is the four year anniversary of his death.
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Junior Seau was selected by the Chargers, 5th overall, in the 1990 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern California (USC). His love and passion for the game was really visible when watching him play and was a key part in the Chargers 1995 Super Bowl run. He was known as a gentle giant with a contagious smile and was loved by everyone that was fortunate enough to surround themselves with him. Seau was the perfect example of what it means to be a successful football player and an even better role model. During his 20 year career, he earned many professional accolades that include but are not limited to:
AFC Player of the Year (1994)
4× NFL Alumni NFL Linebacker of the year (1992–1994, 2000)
3× NFLPA AFC Linebacker of the year (1992–1994)
2× AFC Champion (1994, 2007)
San Diego Chargers #55 retired
Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2015)
Seau retired from the NFL in 2009, was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame and had his number 55 retired. In 2012, Junior Seau committed suicide at the tender age of 43. He was discovered by his girlfriend with a gunshot wound to the chest in his Oceanside, California home. Studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a type of chronic brain damage that has also been found in other deceased former NFL players.
In 2015, Seau was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame posthumously. His love for his teammates, fans and the community was expressed by his daughter on stage in Canton with a heartfelt emotional speech.
Seau is survived by his three teenage children: a daughter, Sydney, and three sons, Jake, Tyler and Hunter.
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