Junior Seau’s family will allow researchers to study his brain for signs he was suffering from damage done by concussions sustained during his 20-year NFL career, Chargers team chaplain Shawn Mitchell has told the Los Angeles Times.
The San Diego County medical examiner ruled Seau’s death a suicide on Thursday, a day after the former linebacker was found dead at his home with a gunshot wound to the chest.
“The family was considering this almost from the beginning, but they didn’t want to make any emotional decisions,” Mitchell told the Times on Thursday night. “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.”
Seau’s ex-wife, Gina, has told The Associated Press that while Seau suffered concussions during his playing career, she had no idea if they somehow contributed to his death.
Mitchell said the family’s decision regarding Seau’s brain was a result of wanting “to help other individuals down the road.”
Full story: Junior Seau family: Brain study OK