This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Junior Seau Texted Relatives, "I Love You," Before Apparent Suicide
As his family, his Chargers teammates and the San Diego community continuity continue to reel over news of this death, details are emerging about football player Junior Seau's final hours. His ex-wife Gina Seau told San Diego Union-Tribune that she and "their three children all received texts from him Tuesday with the same message: 'I love you.'" Outside his home, Seau's mother wailed, "Junior, Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?"
Seau's body was discovered on Wednesday morning by a housekeeper. Seau, 43, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, and the authorities are investigating his death as a suicide. Gina Seau said, "We’re beyond sad and beyond shocked. The kids and I are just huddled together at home. There is no way to make sense of this. I hope and pray everyone remembers what a wonderful man he was.... 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."
Seau was known for his ferocious tackles while on the San Diego Chargers and some people have been drawing comparisons to the suicide of former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson. According to the LA Times, "In a suicide note, Duerson had asked his family to donate his brain to the Boston University School of Medicine. Researchers from that school later determined that Duerson suffered from a neurodegenerative disease linked to concussions, and that played a role in triggering his depression. The San Diego County medical examiner said an autopsy for Seau is set for Thursday." Duerson's family is suing the NFL.
It's been reported that BU will also examine Seau's brain. Former MLS soccer player Taylor Twellman told ESPN "that Seau admitted that he also suffered from headaches from multiple concussions playing football." A friend told NBC San Diego, “I felt like he wasn’t happy, he was always looking for something to make him happy. He felt like he was getting old, losing his fame and glory," adding that Seau seemed to think people were using him for his fame.
Seau is the eighth player from the Chargers' 1995 Super Bowl-playing team to die since the game.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
