Junior Seau Dead At 43, Per Report

According to reports from TMZ, former USC Trojan standout and San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau has been found dead in his San Diego Home. He was 43 years old.

Seau, a 12-time Pro Bowler was selected fifth overall in the 1990 NFL draft out of USC, where he was one of many outstanding linebackers to come out of that program.

He played with the San Diego Chargers until 2002, spent 2003-2005 with the Miami Dolphins, and then signed with the New England Patriots in time for the 2006 season. In 2007 Seau played in all 16 games and started four of New England's perfect season. He would retire after that season, change his mind and return in 2008 and 2009 before finally hanging them up for good.

Law Enforcement is telling TMZ that Seau died of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Former NFL player Dave Duerson did the same thing in 2011 to commit suicide, ensuring his brain could be studied for science after claiming the injuries he sustained in the NFL caused him to become mentally unstable.

Seau's family stated to have seen no signs of depression in the previous weeks leading up to this incident.

This is not the first incident Seau's been involved with where suicide was suspected. He drove his SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad, CA only hours after getting arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. Seau told authorities he fell asleep at the wheel.