Report: Seau dead in apparent suicide

Former Chargers All Pro linebacker Junior Seau has been found dead in his Oceanside, Calif. home, and authorities are calling it a suicide, according to the North County (Calif.) Times. 

The paper said Seau was found by a housekeeper with a gunshot wound to the chest, according to multiple sources. Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood said he learned of the death from police Chief Frank McCoy.

Police responded to Seau's home after receiving a call about a reported suicide. 

"He was a local hero ---- he certainly gave back to the community and to the youth through his Junior Seau Foundation," Wood said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

Seau, named Tiana Baul "Junior" Seau when he was born in Jan. 19, 1969, was the Chargers' fifth overall pick in 1990. He played at USC for three years before joining the NFL. He wound up going to the Pro Bowl 12 times and will likely be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Seau was involved in an automobile accident under unusual circumstances on Oct. 18, 2010, when he drove his SUV off an embankment in Carlsbad and was hospitalized with minor injuries. Seau told police he had fallen asleep at the wheel after being arrested on felony domestic violence charges. The car veered off the road and landed on a beach below.

Seau is the fourth high-profile former NFL player to commit suicide in recent years, possibly as a result of brain injuries. Others include Bears safety Dave Duerson, Steelers offensive lineman Terry Long and Eagles safety Andre Waters.