On Wednesday, the entire football community and fans had to come to terms with the death of Junior Seau. Everybody is so shocked by the sudden death of a pro-football icon and legend. I, being a football fan myself, was shocked and saddened by the death of Junior. I don’t understand why he killed himself. Listening to reports that he was the happiest guy on the 1994 Chargers team, it made no sense in the beginning. However, I said that it made no sense in the beginning only.

Junior Seau had the skills of a true player on a football defense. He tackled players like no one has ever seen a player tackle. He could jump, dive, run, and do whatever you needed him to do. He led the San Diego Chargers to their only Super Bowl appearance. He was to be named to the Chargers’ Hall of Fame. And most of all, he always seemed to be performing with a smile on his face. He had a great life and career. He lived in a beach house along theCaliforniashore. The average career lasts 3.5 seasons in football. Seau played 20 seasons. Nothing could make him sad, absolutely nothing. Or so we thought…

Junior Seau was known for his ferocious tackles and hard hits. However, video shows that he used his head for many of those tackles. As of May 6, 2012, there is a lawsuit against the NFL for not providing the proper safety equipment for players. Seau’s family is donating his brain toBostonUniversityfor research on suicides involving NFL players. Former NFL defensive back Dave Duerson’s brain had stuff in it that concluded that he had some depression from playing. However, if Seau’s brain shows evidence of depression, it will decrease the chances of the NFL winning the lawsuit.

This whole situation has to do with concussions. Concussions occur when a person has head trauma. They can be very serious in any sport. The most common sports where a concussion occurs are football, baseball, and hockey. In baseball, they have a 7-Day Disabled List for concussions. In hockey, they are now mandating time off the ice for those players who are experiencing concussion and post-concussive symptoms. However, in football, they have had numerous incidents where nothing was done. In 2010, San Diego Chargers player Kris Dielman was only out for 4 plays before he returned. I mean, really, 4 plays? Are you kidding me? Dielman was forced to retire the following year after he only started 6 games. It gets worse as Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy was out for only two plays after he suffered a concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His father publicly addressed the issue out of fury and anger over the Browns’ decision. Wow, that is absolutely pathetic. ONLY 2 PLAYS! His future is unknown as of May 7, 2012. If Junior does show signs of head trauma, it will probably be from his hard tackles that injured not only his opponents, but possibly himself.

Junior Seau had the dream life. He got a decent job that he loved. He lived along the ocean in Oceanside, California. Everyone loved him for who he was. Junior could have asked for help. All close to him would have immediately helped him. Sadly, Junior Seau departed this world on May 2^nd, 2012 at the age of 42. Rest in peace, Junior Seau; rest in peace.