A team of scientists, who
analyzed the brain of NFL linebacker Junior Seau, have concluded that he most
likely suffered from a brain disease caused by two decades worth of hits to the
head. Junior Seau was a monster middle linebacker during his NFL career, racking
up 1184 tackles, as a 10 time all-pro, 12 time Pro Bowler, and named to the NFL
1990s All-Decade Team. Seau was known as a passionate defender, dealing
numerous punishing blows to his opponents on the field. Seau was the star of
the San Diego Chargers defense for 13 seasons before playing for the Miami
Dolphins, and New England Patriots. Seau retired after the 2009 NFL season
without winning the vaunted Super Bowl Ring that he so desired.
In May 2012, Seau shot
himself in the chest at the age of 43, leaving his four children puzzled. Seau's family donated his brain to
neuroscientists at the National Institutes for Health who are conducting
ongoing research on traumatic brain injury and football players. Similar to Bob
Probert, Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a
degenerative disease caused by multiple hits to the head. One side effect of
this disease is patients feeling deep depression that can lead to suicide. Unfortunately
for Seau, the numerous concussions and hits the head he suffered as a warrior
on the football field lead to his premature death. Junior Seau’s ex-teammate
said that he suffered 1500 concussions. A case such as Seau’s raises much
concussion awareness, due to the severity involved when ex athletes lives are
at stake. 
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