As soon as it was learned on Wednesday that former NFL star Junior Seau had killed himself , there was speculation about whether he may have suffered brain injuries during his career that in turn led to depression or dementia.
His apparent suicide was the third by a former NFL player since February 2011. First, former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson shot himself in the chest — after writing a note asking that his brain be studied for chronic traumatic encephalopathy — a disease linked to depression. Then last month, former Atlanta Falcon Ray Easterling shot himself in the head . He was part of a lawsuit against the NFL over head injuries and was suffering from dementia.
Seau, 43, was killed by a shot to the chest. His death has been ruled a suicide .
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