SAN DIEGO — Those who knew and loved Junior Seau say they didn’t see this coming. SAN DIEGO — Those who knew and loved Junior Seau say they didn’t see this coming. ADVERTISING “This is not anything I thought he
SAN DIEGO — Those who knew and loved Junior Seau say they didn’t see this coming.
“This is not anything I thought he would ever do,” former San Diego Chargers safety Miles McPherson said.
Like many of Seau’s friends, McPherson was still trying to comprehend the death of the former star NFL linebacker the day after his body was found inside his home in suburban Oceanside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. The San Diego County medical examiner ruled the death a suicide on Thursday.
“Junior is a warrior. He played 20 years in the NFL as a linebacker. You have to be a warrior. Warriors conquer problems they face and they run at them,” McPherson said Thursday.
McPherson, now the pastor at the Rock Church in San Diego, said that’s why Seau’s death is so puzzling.
Seau’s ex-wife, Gina, told The Associated Press that while Seau sustained concussions during his playing career, she had no idea if they somehow contributed to his death.
McPherson also said he didn’t know if concussions would have contributed to the death of Seau, who was known for his ferocious tackles followed by celebratory fist pumps.
“There is no football player — maybe a punter — that has not had multiple concussions, I would guess,” McPherson said.
Longtime Chargers chaplain Shawn Mitchell said he wasn’t aware of any major issues that would lead Seau to take his life, including any difficulties making the transition from the playing field to retirement. Seau played his first 13 seasons with the Chargers before moving on to the Miami Dolphins and then the New England Patriots.
He helped lead San Diego to its only Super Bowl, after the 1994 season; was voted to a Chargers-record 12 straight Pro Bowls; and was a six-time All-Pro selection.
