Junior Seau found dead in his home, reportedly committed suicide

Retired NFL linebacker Junior Seau was found dead in his home Wednesday morning, and the death is reportedly being called a suicide. According to the North County Times, a housekeeper found Seau with a gunshot wound to the chest. Police responded to Seau’s home after reports of a gunshot, where the San Diego County medical examiner’s office has yet to confirm whether or not the wound was self-inflicted.

Seau was 43 years old and leaves behind three children and an ex-wife. According to a TMZ report, the former Pro Bowler sent his ex-wife and three kids text messages on Tuesday saying, “Love you.” They reportedly all responded and did not suspect that anything was wrong. TMZ’s sources also say Seau’s family members did not notice any signs of depression in recent weeks.

Reports of Seau’s suicide come roughly a year-and-a-half after a bizarre incident during which he drove off a seaside cliff in the San Diego area. The accident occurred in October of 2011, and at the time Seau told investigators he had fallen asleep at the wheel before his car plunged roughly 100 feet below the roadside.

As we all await more details from a what is an incredibly shocking turn of events, one thing is for certain: Football has lost one of the most popular players in NFL history.

Photo credit: Stew Milne-US PRESSWIRE