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Seau found dead at 43

Image: Junior Seau: 20 years in the NFL

Former NFL star Junior Seau has been found shot dead at his home in California, in what police suspect to have been suicide.

Former NFL star found dead after suspected suicide

Former NFL star Junior Seau has been found shot dead at his home in California, in what police suspect to have been suicide. The 43-year-old former linebacker spent 20 years in the NFL and was a star of his generation and one the best-known players around, but he was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The local chief of police, Frank McCoy, said Seau was found at his home in Oceanside just north of San Diego by his girlfriend, who alerted the authorities. "This morning at approximately 9:35 hours, our police department received a call from a young lady who indicated that she was Junior Seau's girlfriend," McCoy said. "She indicated that she returned to the residence to find Mr. Seau unconscious, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Suspected suicide

"This case at this point is being investigated as a suicide, a handgun was found near the body." A 12-time Pro Bowl selection, Seau was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, where he played for 12 years before going on to star for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots either side of a shirt-lived retirement. The Chargers released a short statement to voice their shock at his death. "Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now. We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family," the statement read. Chargers coach Norv Turner added his thoughts on Seau's death in a short press release.
Turner tribute
"I have no words to describe the passing of Junior Seau," Turner said. "It is a sad, sad day for not only me, but for the whole sports community. "I worked with Junior here and later in Miami. I can tell you no one had more character and true leadership ability than Junior. He brought passion to the game of football that was unmatched. "His commitment to charitable causes in the community was inspiring. It was an honor to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family." Seau was arrested on a suspected domestic violence charge in October 2010 and later that day drove his car down a cliff, but he insisted it was not a suicide attempt as he escaped serious injury. One of the most competitive and hard-working players in the league, Seau played in the 1995 Super Bowl for the Chargers before being a captain on the Patriots team that went unbeaten in 2007 before losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. The former USC standout leaves behind an ex-wife and three children.

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