Junior Seau Dead: Police Confirm Death, Investigating Suicide

Former NFL Player Junior Seau was found dead from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to Oceanside, Calif., police officials.

A police spokesperson said that they are currently investigating a possibility for a suicide. The spokesman said that a girlfriend found Seau in his bedroom unconscious on Wednesday morning and called the authorities, though lifesaving efforts on Seau were unsuccessful.

TMZ first reported that Seau's death and that it was suspected to be a suicide. North County Times reported that his death was caused by a self-inflicted wound to his chest. It said that the mayor of Oceanside, where Seau lived, learned from the chief of police that Seau had killed himself.

The possible suicide is reminiscent of former Chicago Bears' player Dave Duerson killing himself last year with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Duerson's reasoning was to have his brain examined after years of concussions and physical abuse from playing in the NFL.

Seau leaves behind his ex-wife and three children. He reportedly sent text messages to them on Tuesday, telling them he loved them; however, they reportedly didn't think anything of it.

Seau was a 12-time Pro Bowler during his 20 seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots. He was known as one of the hardest-hitting linebackers in the sport and remained a popular player in the San Diego area even after his retirement.

Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now, tthe Chargers organization said in a prepared statement. We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family.

According to TMZ, he was involved in a 2010 car crash that some speculated was a suicide attempt, but the former NFL player said that he wasn't trying to kill himself and had fallen asleep at the wheel.

He's the eighth member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers' Super Bowl team to pass away.