Junior Seau found dead at his Oceanside, California residence today!

By [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], USA TODAY

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Updated 3m ago

Former NFL star Junior Seau, 43, died at his Oceanside, Calif., home Wednesday.



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The Chargers picked LB Junior Seau with the fifth pick of the 1990 NFL draft.

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"He was a local hero -- he certainly gave back to the community and to the youth through his Junior Seau Foundation," Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood told [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

Citing a source, the Times reports Seau's body was found by a maid.

Responding to a 911 call, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] on Seau's residence around 12:35 p.m. PT.

In a tragic coincidence, Seau becomes the eighth member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers, who lost Super Bowl XXIX to the 49ers, to die at a young age. The others: Chris Mims, David Griggs, Rodney Culver, Lewis Bush, Curtis Whitley, Shawn Lee and Doug Miller.

San Diego native and current Dolphins tailback Reggie Bush [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]:

"R.I.P Jr. Seau one of the greatest players to play the game! Damn this one hurts San Diego! One of the greatest to to come from the city."

Seau played linebacker for 20 years in the NFL, earning 12 Pro Bowl nods while being named first-team all-pro six times. A USC product, he was drafted fifth overall by the Chargers in 1990 and played for the Bolts during his prime years from 1990-2002.

He joined the Dolphins in 2003 for a three-year hitch in Miami.

After a four-day retirement following the 2005 season -- Seau deemed it a graduation into the next phase of his life at the time -- he reversed course to spend four final seasons (2006-09) with the New England Patriots. He played sparingly the final two years, joining the club at midseason in both cases, but continued on at the behest of coach Bill Belichick, who valued Seau's legendary work ethic and leadership skills.