The reason Seau took his life isn't quite clear yet, but many suspect he may have suffered from CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a disease that results in the brain degenerating. This causes depression, dementia, headaches, tremors, and aggression, among other symptoms. It was found to be the cause of former Chicago Bears player Dave Duerson, who like Seau, shot himself in the chest.
Duerson left a note behind that said he wanted his brain studied for damage, hence the gun blast to the chest. He was smart enough to know what he was going through, but the issues he was dealing with were just too much. Like Seau, Duerson left behind children, who are left to wonder why Daddy killed himself.
There's a lot that the medical world is figuring out about the disease now. It is shown that repeated concussions (a product of playing physical sports such as football and boxing) plays a prime role in the formation of CTE. Any player who has been in the trenches and suffered concussions can eventually get CTE and go through everything that Duerson and others have gone through.
The Downfall of NFL
If you knew your life would be shortened by 20-25 years but you could be an elite football player with fortune and fame, would you do it?
It would seem like an easy choice for a rational thinker to say they'd rather live till they are in their 80s-90s, but that's not the case with many who choose to pursue a career in the NFL. According to a Tampa Bay Times article from 2006, the average life expectancy for an NFL player is 55 years, considerably younger than the average age of Joe & Jane American (77 years). Many factors play a role in this - severe obesity and concusssions/mental disease being two of them.
If you had the skills that Seau and others possess on a football field, would you risk the chance at a long life for the glory that comes with the riches of the NFL? Better yet, as a parent, would you encourage your son to play organized football at the junior high or high school level?
As much as I love watching football, I have never had the desire to play it. Briefly before sophomore year, I considered trying out for the high school team, but never brought myself to signing up. It had nothing to do with being worried about getting hurt, but more to do with it likely being a waste of time that would be better spent doing nothing instead of sitting on a bench in 40 degree November nights.
My high school "prime" has passed me by - sad to say. Being closer to the other side of life now (down the road as a potential father to a son who may be interested in playing football) gives me a different perspective on the game. I can tell you adamently that I have no desire to encourage this future son (if I ever have one) to play the game.
While I don't expect all future parents to have this same line of thinking, I wouldn't be surprised if more parents will have these worries than parents did in the past. These studies of brain diseases should scare the crap out of everyone, especially those who pursue a career in the NFL.
I've heard people say before that NFL could go the way of boxing -> from America's most popular sport to one that fades into oblivion. The more of these cases that come from the NFL, the more I have to agree with these skeptics of America's current favorite pastime's staying power. The more future parents (such as myself) who discourage their sons from playing, the more obscure football will become.
By no means do I think it will disappear. Boxing never disappeared, but its peak in American culture has long since passed. I think the NFL is nearing its peak as Top Dog of U.S. sports.
It will get better...
When it comes to the topic of suicide, the narrative of what you should say as a friend or family member who suspects someone of being depressed is simple, yet complicated. While I'm not a psychologist, I believe that the points of hope (that things aren't as bad as they seem and that you have a lot to live for) should be stressed. It may be more difficult to get through to some individuals, but you have to make attempts to get through to people
And no, I wouldn't say things to people just to prevent someone from killing themselves - I actually believe it. We all have moments in our lives that can leave us a little down. This can range from things we may deal with on a daily basis (the stresses of work) or a sudden life-altering event, like the passing of someone close to you.
What we need to remind those who are depressed around us is of the great things that life brings us - the bonds of family and friends, enjoying our hobbies as we grow old and give birth to lifeforms of our own.
If you're a friend or family member of mine reading this and you need someone to talk to about anything, whatever it may be, I'm a 7 or 10 digit dial away. No one should ever feel alone in this world to the point where suicide becomes an option. I love you guys and gals - way too much to see any of you depressed or down, and way way way too much for you to ever consider suicide.
When I heard about Junior Seau's death and googled his name to see developments on the story, I came across his charity online, one that helps youth. Here's the logo and message of the charity which dons the top of the website, www.juniorseau.org:
To educate and empower young people through the support of child abuse prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, recreational opportunities, anti-juvenile delinquency efforts and complimentary educational programs.
It makes me legitimately sad that an individual such as Seau who wanted to provide hope to younger generations could not battle his own demons to continue his mission above. Again, I have no idea what he is going through (assuming he had CTE) - much of what comes from that sounds completely horrifying to live through.
I just wish his cognitive abilities, as impaired as they may have been, would have allowed him to choose another path.
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