Junior Say "Oww"

[RegalBCeagle]

Report: Seau drives off cliff
2 hours ago

Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau drove his SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad, Calif., on Monday, just hours after being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, KGTV reported.

Seau, 41, was reportedly released from a San Diego detention facility a little more than an hour after being arrested at approximately 2:00 a.m. PT. According to KGTV, the incident involved his live-in girlfriend.

After being released from custody, Seau then drove his SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad, according to law enforcement. Seau was pulled from the vehicle by law enforcement officials suffering only bruises and cuts and was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

It was unclear what caused the former NFL star to drive off the cliff.

The 12-time Pro Bowl selection left football in January for the second time in a career that spanned 20 years and three NFL franchises.

Seau, the fifth overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft, spent 13 seasons with the San Diego Chargers, building a reputation as one of the most feared linebackers in the game.

Seau’s play with the Chargers earned him a roster spot on the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.

The former University of Southern California standout announced in January that he had played his final game, but has not yet officially retired from the NFL.

Courtesy of FOXSports.com

[pick6pedro]

It's Junior Seau, maaaaaaaan

[HJS]

Sounds like a June Jones situation to me.

[innocentbystander]

Sounds like a June Jones situation to me.

You got the "June" right.

I think he might be depressed about the passing of one Barbara Billingsly.

[bignick33]

RIP Junior Seau...one of the best football players of our generation.

[Endless Mike]

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/NFL-legend-Junior-Seau-dead-as-police-investigate/EaPQYCkCv0-sI0JuHzQTpA.cspx

[HJS]

Sounds like a bullet did what a plummeting car didn't.

[Dick Rosenthal]

Shot himself in the chest a la Dave Duereson. Fucking SC guys always end up copying the Domers--that's what makes them so pathetic. I wonder if he was suffering from dementia or some other football-related brain injury. Had to be a reason he didn't blow his brains out.

[bignick33]

Shot himself in the chest a la Dave Duereson. Fucking SC guys always end up copying the Domers--that's what makes them so pathetic. I wonder if he was suffering from dementia or some other football-related brain injury. Had to be a reason he didn't blow his brains out.

I wonder if his brain ends up at BU Medical Center like Duereson's did.

[twballgame9]

Having frequented some of the same establishments as Junior in Boston, and without ever speaking to the man other than a brief conversation, I am shocked that his killing of himself was not accidental. He didn't strike me as the suicidal type, but he certainly seemed to go 100% off the field as well as on.

[bignick33]

He didn't strike me as the suicidal type, but he certainly seemed to go 100% off the field as well as on.

That's exactly the thing. If the speculative comparisons to Duerson are correct, it wouldn't be very surprising. He might have been suffering. If there's anyone who would have played through (and thereby exacerbate) some seriously fucked up head injuries, it's probably Seau.

Regardless, the news is sad.

[bignick33]

For those who are not familiar with Duerson, here is a NY Times article on him from last May (coincidentally, published yesterday to the day):

Duerson’s Brain Trauma Diagnosed
By ALAN SCHWARZ
Published: May 2, 2011

BOSTON — The suicide of the former Chicago Bears star Dave Duerson became more alarming Monday, when Boston University researchers announced that his brain had developed the same trauma-induced disease recently found in more than 20 deceased players.

The diagnosis adds a new and perhaps pivotal chapter to football’s still-unfolding narrative surrounding concussions. Duerson shot himself Feb. 17 in the chest rather than the head, presumably so that his brain could be examined by Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, which announced its diagnosis.

About two dozen retired N.F.L. players have been found to have the disease, known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, but none acted upon his suspicion of it like Duerson, 50, who complained to family of his deteriorating mental state during his final months.

His death reminded the football community that for all the reform in the management of concussions and other on-field brain trauma in recent years, the damage to past players remains a vestige of the game’s more brutal times.

“It’s tragic that Dave Duerson took his own life, but it’s very meaningful that he recognized the symptoms of the disorder — it validates this condition,” said Dr. Ann McKee, the neuropathologist who examined Duerson’s brain. She said she found indisputable evidence of C.T.E. in the tissue samples, with “no evidence of any other disorder.”

Although the precise motivations behind Duerson’s suicide remain unknown, he had complained of headaches, blurred vision and a deteriorating memory in the months before his death. His final note to his family finished with a handwritten request: “Please, see that my brain is given to the N.F.L.’s brain bank.”

The N.F.L. does not run the Boston University research group but did donate $1 million to its financing last year, after the league acknowledged long-term effects of football brain trauma.

C.T.E., a condition previously associated mostly with boxers and manifested in behavior more commonly known as dementia pugilistica, is a degenerative and incurable disease that compromises neural activity and is linked to memory loss, depression and dementia. Although groups at Boston University and elsewhere are pursuing tests for living patients, the condition can currently be detected only after death, by brain autopsy.

“We hope these findings will contribute more to the understanding of C.T.E.,” the N.F.L. said in a statement. “Our Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee will study today’s findings, and as a league, we will continue to support the work of the scientists at the Boston University Center and elsewhere to address this issue in a forthright and effective way.”

DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the players association, said in a telephone interview that Duerson’s having C.T.E. “makes it abundantly clear what the cost of football is for the men who played and the families.”

He added: “It seems to me that any decision or course of action that doesn’t recognize that as the truth is not only perpetuating a lie, but doing a disservice to what Dave feared and what he wanted to result from the donation of his brain to science.”

Duerson’s death rattled players both active and retired, who after years of news media coverage are more aware that the damage done to their brains could be permanent. Pete Kendall, a recently retired offensive lineman, said, “The whole issue of C.T.E. is something that players young and old have no choice but to think about.”

Duerson’s former wife, Alicia, attended the Boston news conference with their four children. Their son Tregg, 25, made a brief statement, saying, “It is our hope that through this research questions that go beyond our interest may be answered — questions that lead to a safer game of football from professionals to Pop Warner.”

He added with regard to his father, “It is my greatest hope that his death will not be in vain and that through this research, his legacy will live on and others won’t have to suffer in the same manner.”

Duerson was an all-American defensive back at Notre Dame before spending most of his 11 N.F.L. seasons with the Bears. He played safety on the famed 46 defense that fueled their Super Bowl championship in the 1985 season, and he won the 1991 Super Bowl with the Giants.

Duerson retired after the 1993 season and became successful in the food-services industry before his businesses collapsed, his marriage failed and he went bankrupt. He began showing symptoms of repetitive brain trauma, including memory loss, poor impulse control and abusive behavior toward loved ones.

Another son, Brock, 22, said that the diagnosis of C.T.E. provided an explanation for his father’s decline and final act.

“I don’t want people to think just because he was in debt and broke he wanted to end it,” he said. “C.T.E. took his life. He changed dramatically, but it was eating at his brain. He didn’t know how to fight it.”

Duerson’s case is unique beyond the circumstances of his suicide. Since 2006, he had served on the six-member panel that considered claims for disability benefits filed by former N.F.L. players. Although individual votes are kept confidential, that board has been sparing in awarding benefits, including those for neurological damage.

Duerson himself told a Senate subcommittee in 2007 that he questioned whether players’ cognitive and emotional struggles were related to football.

However, Duerson’s legacy will almost certainly be how he apparently came to believe he had C.T.E., acted upon it and requested that his brain tissue be examined for confirmation and contribution to science.

Dr. Robert Stern, along with McKee a co-director of the Boston University research group, cautioned that C.T.E. could not explain all of a player’s actions.

“When it comes to suicide and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, it is possible that in some individuals the combination of C.T.E.-related symptoms of poor impulse control, depression and cognitive impairment may indeed lead to suicide,” Stern said. “However, we can never clearly point to any cause-and-effect relationship in any one case.”

A version of this article appeared in print on May 3, 2011, on page B11 of the New York edition with the headline: Duerson’s Brain Trauma Diagnosed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/03/sport ... erson.html

[flyingelvii]

He didn't strike me as the suicidal type, but he certainly seemed to go 100% off the field as well as on.

That's exactly the thing. If the speculative comparisons to Duerson are correct, it wouldn't be very surprising. He might have been suffering. If there's anyone who would have played through (and thereby exacerbate) some seriously fucked up head injuries, it's probably Seau.

Regardless, the news is sad.

I guess he was also having a lot of difficulty adjusting to the post-NFL life per many sources.

[twballgame9]

He didn't strike me as the suicidal type, but he certainly seemed to go 100% off the field as well as on.

That's exactly the thing. If the speculative comparisons to Duerson are correct, it wouldn't be very surprising. He might have been suffering. If there's anyone who would have played through (and thereby exacerbate) some seriously fucked up head injuries, it's probably Seau.

Regardless, the news is sad.

I guess he was also having a lot of difficulty adjusting to the post-NFL life per many sources.

Without any info, I'd have to guess that football was the only thing keeping him from partying and chasing tail constantly. Not that that is different from many athletes. Don't leave your daughter within 7 miles of Derek Lowe when he retires.

[Dick Rosenthal]

Duereson was a gregarious and outgoing guy, considered very smart and seen as a pillar in his community. And then his brain started to fall apart and it spiraled very quickly and with two years he had killed himself (after watching his previously successful business ventures fail and losing considerable command of his faculties). The plunge off the side of the cliff might have been the start of the downward spriral. There is no way you can play LB in the NFL for 20 years without fucking up your brain--especially when you play like Seau.

[bignick33]

He didn't strike me as the suicidal type, but he certainly seemed to go 100% off the field as well as on.

That's exactly the thing. If the speculative comparisons to Duerson are correct, it wouldn't be very surprising. He might have been suffering. If there's anyone who would have played through (and thereby exacerbate) some seriously fucked up head injuries, it's probably Seau.

Regardless, the news is sad.

I guess he was also having a lot of difficulty adjusting to the post-NFL life per many sources.

Without any info, I'd have to guess that football was the only thing keeping him from partying and chasing tail constantly. Not that that is different from many athletes. Don't leave your daughter within 7 miles of Derek Lowe when he retires.

Wait, there's something keeping Derek Lowe from partying and chasing tail constantly? I thought that's exactly what he does four days out of five.

[twballgame9]

He didn't strike me as the suicidal type, but he certainly seemed to go 100% off the field as well as on.

That's exactly the thing. If the speculative comparisons to Duerson are correct, it wouldn't be very surprising. He might have been suffering. If there's anyone who would have played through (and thereby exacerbate) some seriously fucked up head injuries, it's probably Seau.

Regardless, the news is sad.

I guess he was also having a lot of difficulty adjusting to the post-NFL life per many sources.

Without any info, I'd have to guess that football was the only thing keeping him from partying and chasing tail constantly. Not that that is different from many athletes. Don't leave your daughter within 7 miles of Derek Lowe when he retires.

Wait, there's something keeping Derek Lowe from partying and chasing tail constantly? I thought that's exactly what he does four days out of five.

Fair point.

[bignick33]

He didn't strike me as the suicidal type, but he certainly seemed to go 100% off the field as well as on.

That's exactly the thing. If the speculative comparisons to Duerson are correct, it wouldn't be very surprising. He might have been suffering. If there's anyone who would have played through (and thereby exacerbate) some seriously fucked up head injuries, it's probably Seau.

Regardless, the news is sad.

I guess he was also having a lot of difficulty adjusting to the post-NFL life per many sources.

Without any info, I'd have to guess that football was the only thing keeping him from partying and chasing tail constantly. Not that that is different from many athletes. Don't leave your daughter within 7 miles of Derek Lowe when he retires.

Wait, there's something keeping Derek Lowe from partying and chasing tail constantly? I thought that's exactly what he does four days out of five.

Fair point.

Regardless, he's off to a hell of a start this year.

[flyingelvii]

I wonder how long it would take for him to get through Heidi if they were both in Boston at the same time.

[twballgame9]

I wonder how long it would take for him to get through Heidi if they were both in Boston at the same time.

Shit, it only took half the team 6 months or so. Even Nick Green got play there.

[hansen]

I wonder how long it would take for him to get through Heidi if they were both in Boston at the same time.

Shit, it only took half the team 6 months or so. Even Nick Green got play there.

Watney may be blonde but she just doesn't do it for me...

[twballgame9]

I wonder how long it would take for him to get through Heidi if they were both in Boston at the same time.

Shit, it only took half the team 6 months or so. Even Nick Green got play there.

Watney may be blonde but she just doesn't do it for me...

That's because you like them to look like they are headed to Psych 101.

[flyingelvii]

I wonder how long it would take for him to get through Heidi if they were both in Boston at the same time.

Shit, it only took half the team 6 months or so. Even Nick Green got play there.

Watney may be blonde but she just doesn't do it for me...

That's because you like them to look like they are headed to Psych 101.

And they need to have a penis. You missed that part.

[claver2010]

Don't know where to put this but I found it fascinating.

According to an SI study (heard it from Shefter): 78% of players either file for bankruptcy or have severe financial issues after only 2 years removed from the NFL


I knew former players had issues, but crazy.

[bignick33]

I wonder how long it would take for him to get through Heidi if they were both in Boston at the same time.

Shit, it only took half the team 6 months or so. Even Nick Green got play there.

Good times. I don't think it's all that bad of a thing that banging Heidi is the only think that Nick Green is known for.

[DavidGordonsFoot]

Don't know where to put this but I found it fascinating.

According to an SI study (heard it from Shefter): 78% of players either file for bankruptcy or have severe financial issues after only 2 years removed from the NFL


I knew former players had issues, but crazy.

This is the article Shefter gets those numbers from. It's a few years old, but it's still a good read if you have the time (I think it's like 8 pages)

While it's easy to blame these ex-players' for pissing their money away on cars and bottle service, a lot of them end up getting ripped off by the people they've trusted since they were children.

[Endless Mike]

I wonder how long it would take for him to get through Heidi if they were both in Boston at the same time.

Shit, it only took half the team 6 months or so. Even Nick Green got play there.

Good times. I don't think it's all that bad of a thing that banging Heidi is the only think that Nick Green is known for.

Although I miss Heidi, I am already a big fan of Jenny Dell.

[claver2010]

I was shocked you redsox weird0s didn't have any comments on her yet

[bignick33]

BU is looking to study Seau's brain:

Although Junior Seau was never listed on an NFL injury report as having had a concussion, those close to him say he admitted to having experienced multiple head injuries.

Seau died of gunshot wound to the chest Wednesday, and his death is being investigated as a suicide. No conclusive medical connection has been made between head injuries and suicide, but Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy has asked to study Seau's brain, Sports Illustrated reported on Thursday.

The center studied the brain of former NFL player Dave Duerson, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest last year and asked that his brain be studied. BU concluded that he suffered from degenerative disease of the brain from repeated head trauma, which can lead to depression.

When reached by ESPN.com, Gina Digravio, manager of media relations at Boston University Medical Center, said that the center never discusses what brains they are studying or what brains they are interested in studying.

Gina Seau said her ex-husband did sustain concussions during his nearly 20-year NFL career.

"Of course he had. He always bounced back and kept on playing," she said in a phone interview. "He's a warrior. That didn't stop him. I don't know what football player hasn't. It's not ballet. It's part of the game."

Gina Seau said she didn't know if the effects of concussions contributed to Seau's death.

"We have no clues whatsoever. We're as stunned and shocked as anyone else. We're horribly saddened. We miss him and we'll always love him," she said.

Taylor Twellman, a former soccer star in MLS, was a neighbor of Seau's in Oceanside, Calif. He said Thursday that he told Seau one time that he had suffered a concussion playing soccer and was experiencing bad headaches. Twellman said that Seau admitted that he also suffered from headaches from multiple concussions playing football.

Twellman, who has become an advocate for athletes with brain trauma, said he later tried to reach out to Seau to tell him he should seek help, but Seau never responded.

Police say they did not find a suicide note at the scene of Seau's death, and it is not clear if he indicated that he wanted his brain to be studied.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/78861 ... seau-brain

[flyingelvii]

I wonder how long it would take for him to get through Heidi if they were both in Boston at the same time.

Shit, it only took half the team 6 months or so. Even Nick Green got play there.

Good times. I don't think it's all that bad of a thing that banging Heidi is the only think that Nick Green is known for.

Although I miss Heidi, I am already a big fan of Jenny Dell.

I work with someone who is friends with her brother and apparently the first thing Ortiz told her with regards to developing clubhouse relationships was to not fuck around with anybody, in the Biblical sense of course.