Junior Seau’s Family Will Donate His Brain For Research

In wake of his recent tragic death, the family of Junior Seau, retired all-pro lineback, has decided to donate his brain for research on brain injuries in NFL players.

Retired All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau‘s brain will studied by scientists to see if he suffered brain injuries during his long career in the NFL, according to the Los Angeles Times. Researchers at Boston University, leaders in the study of brain injuries, had asked Seau’s family for the donation.

The medical examiner’s office said it is “awaiting the the family’s decision regarding the study of the brain for repetitive injury by researchers outside of the office,” according to a statement.

Seau, who played for the San Diego Chargers for 13 years, then the Miami Dolphins, and finally the New England Patriots before retiring in 2009, was found dead in his Oceanside, CA bedroom at 9:30am on Wednesday, May 2nd by his girlfriend. Seau’s ex-wife, Gina confirmed that he did suffer concussions in his career.

“Of course he had. He always bounced back and kept on playing,” she told ESPN. He’s a warrior. That didn’t stop him. I don’t know what football player hasn’t. It’s not ballet. It’s part of the game.”

Seau, an All-American at USC, was remember by another Trojan player and San Diego native. ”This one hurts San Diego!” Reggie Bush tweeted. ”One of the greatest to come from the city.”

San Diego Chargers chaplain Shawn Mitchell told the Times: “The family was considering this almost from the beginning, but they didn’t want to make any emotional decisions. And when they came to a joint decision that absolutely this was the best thing, it was a natural occurrence for the Seau family to go forward.”