A Tragic and Unnecessary Death

It's everywhere, and if you don't know by now, then you've been living under a rock. NFL legend Junior Seau has passed away. Tragic. The victim of suicide, Seau is another former NFL player who is gone far too soon.

Photo Credit: NFL.SI.com

Seau was an emotional, fiery, stirring leader who helped lead the San Diego Chargers to the 1994 Super Bowl. His life was intense, full of very high moments and terrible lows. He was the poster child of charisma - engaging and fascinating, he was a player who was relatable. It's clear, though, that he had some serious demons. In October of 2010, he survived a massive car accident (his car plunged off a cliff) after he had reportedly fallen asleep at the wheel. Maybe this was a cry for help, who knows. The people closest to Seau knew the kind of person he really was - one who just wanted to play football, one who wanted to do right, one who wanted the best, even if he didn't always know the best way to do it. Seau was a born leader. He was a superstar.

This brings to light something much more tragic, though. Depression. It's a hidden disease, one that effects millions of people, one that many don't know how to battle. It's clear Seau suffered from this in some form or another - for many years. He didn't get the help he needed, he couldn't battle the demons he had. He needed help, but it's clear he didn't know how to ask for it. Sometimes, for those who are incredibly charismatic and driven, it's hard to see through the veil of a smile. In Seau's case, he seemingly hid it well.

This begs the question, though, what impact do concussions and the physical impact of football have on long term health? This is something that the NFL has been grappling with now for years. Is Seau a victim of the long-term damage of concussions? Could he be yet another case study of the impact that concussions and long-term exposure to seriously physicality on the gridiron have on a player? Are these things related to these deaths? I think it's an easy answer. Yes. It's time to investigate Seau's suicide as one that may be correlated to the impact his body took while he was on the football field all those years. It's a heartbreaking reality...and one that also needs to be addressed with more seriousness than ever before. The NFL needs to continue to accelerate research and dedicate resources and time to working towards answers to this massive problem.

We should all look at Junior Seau's death as one of tragedy. He was one of the greatest players ever to hit the field. He was phenomenal, on and off the field. He was truly one of a kind, and we should all honor his memory and remember the brilliance that he brought to the game.

Below is a video of his former teammate, Marcellus Wiley, emotionally talking about Junior Seau and his relationship with him. It moved me, and I hope it does the same for you. Remember, if you need help, all you have to do is ask.

UPDATE: Seau's family announced today that they would allow his brain to be studied - a wonderful idea to help others in the future. According to Pro Football Talk, there are two major institutes competing to do the research - the Sports Legacy Institute at Boston University and the Brain Injury Research Institute. Even in death, Seau continues to make a difference.