Seau had brain damage according to study

I lived in San Diego through the peak of his career when they went to the Superbowl.  I was a huge fan and thought the world of Junior.

I agree and I just don't understand the suicide thing.  I've had some really low times in my life where I literally had nothing going for me, but my thought process was all about planning a path out, versus just ending it.

Agreed.  I hope it is another bullet point that will help really force a serious discussion.  Because it also isn't just about the pro's.  Clearly this is an issue that can affect players all the way down to Pop Warner. 

We had a senior in high school that actually discussed it with his parents, and his senior year and would be his 4th year starting quarterback, took himself off the team because of his head injuries from the years before and would rather help with the team and play basketball and run track.  It took a lot for him to not fall into the peer pressure to go out.  He was given a lot of support by his friends and the team.

We were always worried about our knees, and never thought about head or brain injuries. 

I can only imagine you don't suffer from repeat brain injuries.  From what I have read this is more than a case of "nothing going for him"  This man suffered for years.

I was a big fan.  His suicide broke my heart.  Knowing what he was going through makes it tougher.  Glad his family had the foresight to agree with his request and have the testing done.  I imagine it answers some questions for them.

So glad my boys chose not to play football.  One boy played one season in jr high that was enough for him.

Sort of in the same vein, my coworker literally just told me that her nephew who is 17 may never regain his memory from hitting his head while playing league ice hockey last month.  He fell, hit the ice, got a concussion, was disoriented.  They took him to the ER right away.  He couldn't remember anyone, not even his parents.  Now it's just a waiting game to see how much or if any of the old memory comes back.  Meanwhile, he's "meeting" everyone in his family again.

He had a full ride to college, now he struggles with things like remembering to eat because his brain is not telling him when he's hungry.  All from one teen hockey game.  The brain is mysterious.  I hope major league and collegiate level sports start to consider what they can do to cut down on head injuries. 

Yep, I was knocked out cold twice playing in HS.  Both of the times in practice.  I sometimes wonder if that had an effect on me.  I'm certain it did.  I was all of 16 at the time (1987-88).  Never did have a concussion test given, nor did they even think about giving it back then.