RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - The death of former All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau has struck a deep chord in the NFL community, as well as parents of student-athletes across the country.
Seau died Wednesday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, following a decorated career in professional football.
The former San Diego Charger’s death comes on the heels of several other similar tragedies involving ex-NFL players, including Dave Duerson of the Chicago Bears and Ray Easterling of the Atlanta Falcons. [READ MORE: Wife says concussions, football injuries led to Ray Easterling’s suicide]
The suicides have ramped up criticism that the NFL doesn’t do enough to care for the long-term health of its players, or regard concussions seriously enough.
Following Seau’s death, Sam Brock spoke to former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker and Hall of Fame player Willie Lanier, who serves on the NFL players safety advisory committee.
Lanier explained the NFL has made great strides in changing its protocol for concussions, but that tragedies like Seau’s death “just make it known there’s a lot more you have to do, a lot more quickly.”
CBS 6 also interviewed the coach of a Richmond Metro Youth Football team, Russ Johnson, to find out how concerns on the professional level have trickled down to the sport’s youngest players.
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