Junior Seau: Twitter Reacts to Tragic Passing of Former Linebacker

Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau has died at the age of 43. According to a report from TMZ, he was found at his home early Wednesday morning.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, it has been confirmed that Seau's death was a suicide.  

"

Police have confirmed Junior Seau committed suicide.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 2, 2012"

Here is the reaction from around the sports world to the tragic and untimely death of the former NFL great. 

Seau's reach extended far beyond the football field, especially in San Diego. Jon Morosi of Fox Sports tweeted a statement from the San Diego Padres.

"

#Padres on Junior Seau: “He was a great San Diegan and inspiration not only on the playing field but in how he positively impacted lives.”

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 2, 2012"

ESPN's J.A. Adande tweeted out something that Marcellus Wiley, who played with Seau in 2001, said during an appearance on Outside The Lines. 

"

"Today is the worst day" - Marcellus Wiley on the death of Junior Seau

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) May 2, 2012"

A fan with the twitter handle Da Real McCoy put Seau's on-field legacy in perspective with this post about how great he was in his prime. 

"

Younger folks may not know the important impact junior seau on the game of football, he was the ray Lewis before ray Lewis #RIP

— Trap Jesus (@DaReal_McCoy) May 2, 2012"

Jennifer Chan, a USC alum, is trying to spread the word about a moment of silence that will be observed for Seau on Saturday evening. 

"

@WMoon1 Please RT Moment of silence for Junior Seau....5/5 @ 5:55 boltbeat.com/2012/05/02/mom…

— Jennifer Chan (@jenniferleechan) May 2, 2012"

Terrell Owens, who came into the NFL when Seau was in his prime, chimed in with his thoughts on the sad news. 

"

God Bless Junior Seau & his family! My heart & condolences go out 2 his family. May u RIP!

— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) May 2, 2012"

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaqoui paid his respects to Seau and offered perhaps the only sentiment worth saying right now. 

"

RIP Junior Seau. Life is so precious. Cherish every moment of it.

— Mohamed Massaquoi (@MoMass11) May 2, 2012"

Buffalo Bills linebacker Kirk Morrison knows where the focus should be today, and it's nowhere near New Orleans and Bountygate.  

"

Forget this bounty crap. We can talk about that later. Can't believe Junior Seau has died. This is crazy to me.

— Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) May 2, 2012"

Deion Sanders, who was one of Seau's fellow defensive stalwarts from the 1990s, is probably saying something that a lot of people are right now. 

"

Please tell me Jr Seau ain't dead PLEASE! !!!!!

— DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) May 2, 2012"

Chad Ochocinco is offering his condolences to the friends and family of Seau, as well as offering his own thoughts on the legacy of the linebacker.  

"

My prayers and condolences to the family of one of the NFL's greatest linebackers to ever play the game.. Junior Seau.. R.I.P

— Chad Ochocinco (@ochocinco) May 2, 2012"

Scott Enyeart of the Football Writers Association of America did his best to put Seau's legacy on the field in perspective for those who may not remember how influential he was. 

"

There is a whole generation of football players who wanted to wear 55 because of Junior Seau.

— Scott Enyeart (@ScottEnyeart) May 2, 2012"

In another disturbing take on this situation, Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins listed off all the Chargers players who were on the 1994 Super Bowl team that have since passed away. 

"

The list: Lew Bush, David Griggs, Rodney Culver, Doug Miller, Curtis Whitley, Chris Mims, Shawn Lee and Seau

— Lee Jenkins (@SI_LeeJenkins) May 2, 2012"

Local San Diego resident Garrett Hale paid his respects to both the football player and community ambassador that Seau was.

"

RIP Junior Seau... you were amazing to watch and even better person for the SD community. #55 forever

— Garrett Hale(@GarrettHale619) May 2, 2012"

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas was echoing the sentiments of Massaquoi and so many others after the news broke.  

"

We must enjoy each day like its our last...RIP Junior Seau

— Pierre Thomas (@Pierre_Thomas) May 2, 2012"

Thomas' New Orleans teammate, Mark Ingram, was just a kid when Seau was in his prime. He shared his thoughts on this tragic passing.  

"

#RIP Junior Seau Such a great player I watched growing up!! My prayers and condolences go out to his family!!Sad to hear..

— Mark Ingram(@Mark_Ingram28) May 2, 2012"

Current USC linebacker T.J. McDonald feels a unique connection to Seau even though he has never met him. There is no doubt that when you play that position at that school, you are going to feel the legacy that he left behind. 

"

RIP Junior Seau .. Idk him personally but it's really messin with me. #Trojangreat #55

— TJ McDonald (@tmacUSC7) May 2, 2012"

LSU safety Eric Reid offered up his own thoughts on the unfortunate news involving Seau and what it means.  

"

RIP Junior Seau..puts things in perspective

— Eric Reid, Jr. (@E_Reid1) May 2, 2012"

The San Diego Chargers, who Seau really helped put on the map when he starred on the defense from 1990-2002, released a short statement on Twitter about the tragic passing of the most popular player in franchise history. 

"

Statement: Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now...

— San Diego Chargers (@chargers) May 2, 2012"

"

Statement (cont.) We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family.

— San Diego Chargers (@chargers) May 2, 2012"

There are a lot of unanswered questions that everyone has right now, but it is best if we just remember the life and legacy of Seau as a football player and ambassador for the city of San Diego. 

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