Former NFL star Junior Seau is dead, TMZ reports

Justacommeman · May 2, 2012 4:30AM

That was the headline. MJ

Justacommeman · May 2, 2012 4:38AM

link

Barndog · May 2, 2012 6:22AM

was just watching the Bill Belichick "A Football Life" yesterday and noticed Seau in there a couple times. Sad

perkdog · May 2, 2012 6:34AM

Horrible news

SanctionII · May 2, 2012 10:04AM

Very sad news, particularly if it is true that he took his own life.

Many people who work and labor in one specific area (sports, entertainment, politics, etc.) where there is tremendous public exposure and time in the lime light have a difficult time adjusting to life where they are not the center of attention. Taken to the extreme (no other purpose in life; no other skills, passion or interest that they can pursue and devote energy to; financial troubles, family troubles, etc.) many of these people can not cope and fall apart. Suicide is a reality for some people who have reached the end of their rope and who see no way out.

RIP Junior

Dave99B · May 2, 2012 10:43AM

RIP 55, you were truly the best.

Dave

MantleMarisFordBerra · May 2, 2012 12:06PM

Appparently he shot himself in the chest so that his brain could be preserved and studied for concussion issues. There was another NFL player who killed himself in the same mannor. It's a real shame and it needs to be addressed. Guys are so much bigger and stronger and faster than they were 20 years or so ago. I don't want to go to flag football, but clearly there is an issue here.

SanctionII · May 3, 2012 5:39AM

I wonder if anyone has performed a study of the average size, speed and strength of NFL players, per each position on the field over 20 year blocks of time.

I assume that teams and the league have records of the team rosters for each year of the sport and that these records have some, if not all, of the data on size, speed and strength.

Doing such a study will obviously reveal that the size, speed and strength of the players of the 1950's was less than that of the 1970's and the same can be said for the 1960's vs. the 1980's; the 1970's vs. the 1990's; the 1980's vs. the 2000's; 1990 vs. 2010; and 1991 vs. 2011.

With this date scientists can apply scientific analysis (aka like in the TV show Sports Science on ESPN) to determine the amount of force inflicted up the bodies of the football players in the different eras in given situations (i.e. a sack of a QB, a head on collision between a wide receiver and a cornerback) and the results to the human body (i.e. muscular, skeletal, vascular and nervous systems[including the brain]) from the application of such force.

In the future you can bet that the size, speed and strength will only continue to increase; and that we will likely see:

1. Offensive and defensive linemen that average 6'9" in height; 400+ pounds, with 5% body fat, who run 40 yards in 4.6 second and who bench press twice their body weight;

2. Running backs and linebackers that average 6'6" in height; 300 pounds; 3% body fat, who run 40 yards in 4.3 seconds and who bench press twice their body weight;

3. Receivers and defensive backs that average 6'4" in height; 250 pounds; 1% body fat, who run 40 yards in 4.1 seconds and who bench press twice their body weight.

The same thing that has happened in the NFL over the decades (increase in size, speed and strength of players, thus an increase in the force of the contact and the impacts upon the body) has also happened at the college level and at the high school level. At the high school level the increase in the amount of force and contact is being applied to young boys of between 14 and 18 years of age whose bodies have not yet fully formed).

The human body has limits on what it can safely endure. No doubt the forces/impact that arise in football on a one time basis and on a cumulative basis will adversely effect the players who participate in same. Shortened life spans with physical and mental problems far beyond what the average citizens experiences are likely and maybe are all but inevitable.

What type of person would want to willingly subject themselves to the type of force/impact (for anyone on the forums who played football at the high school, college or pro level, why did you do so?)?

Many who do participate in football do not know of the long term consequences of doing so. However, even with full disclosure to and the players knowledge the long term consequences, many young boys (and their parents) and young men will choose to play anyway (for various and multiple good reasons).

As human knowledge of the effect and consequences to the body, mind and spirit of playing football increases, the only appropriate thing to do is:

1. have full written disclosure to all players (and for high school kids, their parents) of the possible consequences to them and written informed consent of the players (and parents); and

2. have a system in place (at least in pro football) whereby the players who play for more than a minimum amount of time (i.e 3 seasons or more) are provided at the expense of the team/league lifetime care for physical and/or mental conditions that result from playing the sport.

It will be interesting to see how things play out in the future.

It would also be interesting to learn (if the information exists) how "over the hill" Roman Gladiators were treated by the various Roman Emperors and their governments after they were no longer able to take to the field of battle in Rome to entertain the citizens of the empire. Were these Gladiators left to beg on the streets or were they cared for?

perkdog · May 3, 2012 7:19AM

I dont buy into any of this crap that Duerson and Seau both killed themselves so their brains can be scientifically researched.

As much as these incidents are tragic they are also very ignorant and selfish. Did any of you see Seau's poor Mother collapsing because of this? Or how about the Kids and other family members left behind? They have to be devestated and at a complete loss and will never be allowed closure.

These former NFL players that kill themselves are only a fraction of the amount of people that kill themselves each year, these guys are famous and make headlines EVERYTIME they do themselves in, there are far more people who kill themselves each year who never played football and nobody says a dam thing about them! The NFL overpays for these guys service as it is, if players think its a bad deal going to the NFL then they can get a job working 40+ hours a week like the rest of us.

jdip9 · May 3, 2012 10:03AM

<<>>

They didn't kill themselves so their brains could be researched. When they decided to kill themselves, they shot themselves in the chest so that their brains could be researched. Big difference.

I predict 20-25 years from now, we'll look back on Junior Seau's death as the tipping point for America's youth's participation in football. The sport has never been more popular than it is today, which means it has nowhere to go but down. And I think it will, for a few reasons.

IMO, the day is coming in the next few years where Boston University will produce a study that unquestionably links high school football with CTE, and we're probably 7-10 years away from developing a diagnostic test for it. Parents of concussed high school football players will start to sue anybody and everybody (it's already happened in MA over a vicious ice hockey hit last month). They way our society is going, I would not be the least bit surprised to see the plantiffs win these cases. Schools will be forced to drop the football program as they won't be able to afford insurance for the lawsuits.

Of course, thats assuming that parents even allow their son to play football in the first place. I'm not saying it is irresponsible to let your son play football. However, there are many other sports where one can learn the discipline, teamwork, hard work, a sense of loyalty that football provides that don't involve banging your head against another player 50-60 times a day. If you're a 6'0", 180 lb 16- or 17- year old boy that has ZERO chance of playing beyond high school, why would you subject yourself to the kinds of brain injuries that we are seeing? And why would parents let him?

We only hear about the college or pro football players that die while playing/practicing, or kill themselves as a result of CTE. I would bet there are hundreds, if not thousands, of suicides each year that can be attributed to CTE - maybe not all due to football, but the majority likely are. That number will only go up as the sport has grown these past 10 years.

Troy Aikman got blasted a few months ago for saying that football won't always be the most popular sport. He didn't present his argument well, but I think he was on to something.

SanctionII · May 3, 2012 10:29AM

When I entered high school in 1971 I had never played competitive tackle football. I was a 15 year old, 6'6" tall, 160 lb uncoordinated boy with little upper body strength who wanted to fit it and be cool. I thought I could do so by playing football on the sophmore football team. I told my parents that I wanted to try out for the football team. My parents handled my request very smoothly by telling me that they preferred that I not play football (since I had not played before, since I was tall and skinny and since I should concentrate instead on working out in preparation for sophmore basketball team tryouts). I said ok, went along with my parents and played hoops instead of football. Enjoyed hoops very much, playing in high school, small college and then in the rec leagues as a 20-30 something adult. Had multiple ankle sprains and bloody noses from playing hoops, but never got a concussion and luckily never had a knee injury or back problems.

Later on in life my parents told me that they really did not want me to play football for fear of injury.

With my own kids, my wife and I did not want them to play. My oldest really wanted to give it a try in his second year of high school. He had never played before. My wife and I reluctantly said give it a try. He lasted two days of practice, got his bell rung multiple times in practice and had headaches for a few days. He is now glad that he did not play.

It would not surprise me to see youth football, high school football and smaller college football programs contract in the future due to multiple factors including parents saying no and the high cost of liability insurance or the unavailability of same.

Justacommeman · May 3, 2012 7:01PM

Just about every hit in pro football is like a car accident. It is violent. It's a lot of the reason we love it. Most pro's are never the same after there playing days are over. A lot walk with pain in every step.

I played. I made my son play starting with the JFL at age 7. He silently hated everyday of playing organized football. I loved it. He was good. I was oblivious to his feelings for the sport. i loved watching him. Running back and linebacker. Fast forward eight years. He tore his ACL making a hit on a guy twice his size as a sophomore on the varsity team. After the surgery and still on the gurney he asked me if it was ok if he "retired. It hit me like a ton of bricks that he played all those years just to please me. I still feel guilty. Without that injury he would have kept playing for me and probably would have gotten murdered in the process.

This past year my seventeen old old nephew who is 6' 9" and played wide out broke his ankle into several places to where he has multiple screws and a plate still holding it together. He was carted off in the second quarter of the second game of his senior season. The week prior he smashed every receiving record in his school and conference history. The instant he was carted off the field and flown to the hospital about 30 middle aged guys got up and left the stands. The scouts don't come around no more. My sister who has two youngsters who would excel at football won't even think about letting them play. It's ok for them to play travel hockey, but football no way. Go figure...................

To jdip9's point of if you are a 6 ft 180kid why would you subject yourself to all that punishment and chance of brain injury if you know it ain't going anywhere. Well there is a lot of truth to that. I can honestly say knowing what I know today it would question whether my participation or my son's participation made any sense.

MJ

jdip9 · May 4, 2012 1:54AM

Kurt Warner came out yesterday saying that he is not letting his sons play football....I'm glad my father made that same decision for me 30 years ago - he told me I could play any sport other than football, and I was fine with that. I had plenty of fun playing hockey, basketball, and soccer.

perkdog · May 4, 2012 6:04AM

<< Kurt Warner came out yesterday saying that he is not letting his sons play football....I'm glad my father made that same decision for me 30 years ago - he told me I could play any sport other than football, and I was fine with that. I had plenty of fun playing hockey, basketball, and soccer. >>

Yea cause you were 100% safe playing Hockey!

I laugh at all this BS, playing football is part of growing up. Im glad my father let me play just like I would let my Son play, someday you guys will realize that just because a few former NFL players killed themselves, playing Football is not the problem.

Garabaldi · May 5, 2012 3:20AM

Outside of the players being bigger and stronger, I think the equipment has alot to blame. I might be wrong, but it just seems that they give the false sense of safety.

Justacommeman · May 6, 2012 1:59AM

<< Outside of the players being bigger and stronger, I think the equipment has alot to blame. I might be wrong, but it just seems that they give the false sense of safety. >>

Yep. There is also general lack of respect in hockey today regarding the stick and how it is carried and used. Helmet and visors which are obviously used for saftey purposes have lead to a false sense of security. They are in fact not force fields. Couple that with better conditioned athletes hurtling themselves like missiles I'm surprised there are not more concussions or head injuries. I don't have any stats to back it up but there sure seems like there are more head injuries today then there were in the 70's when bad porn mustaches were all the players wore above there necks. MJ

hhmag70 · May 6, 2012 4:23AM

<< I don't have any stats to back it up but there sure seems like there are more head injuries today then there were in the 70's when bad porn mustaches were all the players wore above there necks. MJ >>

perkdog · May 6, 2012 5:45AM

<< Outside of the players being bigger and stronger, I think the equipment has alot to blame. I might be wrong, but it just seems that they give the false sense of safety. >>

There is ZERO Question the players keep getting bigger and faster but blaming equipment is wrong. How about the fact that these guys were the minimum amount of equipment, Thigh and knee pads are seldom worn anymore ofcourse that has no play in concussions but just sayin.

How about this? Do we see basic tackling anymore? Every play guys want to make Sportscenter Highlights by trying to behead opposing players, everyone wants to score a big hit rather than tackle.

Goot · May 6, 2012 8:16AM

<< 
How about this? Do we see basic tackling anymore? Every play guys want to make Sportscenter Highlights by trying to behead opposing players, everyone wants to score a big hit rather than tackle. >>

Part of that goes back to the equipment argument. They want to propel their body in whatever way possible to have a big hit, and can do that due to new helmet technologies. There wouldn't be a need for flagging helmet to helmet hits if helmets didn't exist in the first place. James Harrison wouldn't be going in head first on a qb with helmets like they wore in the 60s. I'm not saying take helmets out of the game, obviously, but they play a factor and I saw it first hand when I played football.

Brick · May 6, 2012 8:55AM

I do agree that the helmet has transformed from a piece of protective equipment to a weapon.

Former NFL star Junior Seau is dead, TMZ reports

Comments