Junior Seau, retired former star linebacker, committed suicide last May at the tender age of 43. Now his family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the NFL. Supporting their claim of head trauma that was covered up is the result of an examination of his brain by the National Institutes of Health.

This action is not yet part of the thousands of former players, who are plaintiffs in 175 head trauma suits. Over 100 of these suits are now together before a U.S. District Court Judge in Pennsylvania. This action was filed in California Superior Court in the San Diego region, where the highly popular Seau lived.

The player, named to 12 Pro Bowls, struggled with numerous issues, including depression and insomnia, since he retired in 2009 from his last team, the New England Patriots. However, Seau played for the San Diego Chargers during the prime years of his career.

Just as scientists at Boston University found that a number of deceased NFL and NHL players suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE, a brain debilitating disease, NIH researchers discovered that Junior Seau had the same dangerous disease.

This wrongful death claim hopes to motivate the NFL to better care for its former players and take action to make the game safer today and in the future."We know this lawsuit will not bring back Junior," states his family. However, they have also sued the helmet manufacturer for most NFL players, alleging it was "negligent in their design, testing, assembly, manufacture, marketing, and engineering of the helmets."

Do you agree with many researchers that repeated head blows endured by football players can damage nerve fibers and kill brain cells in areas that control emotions and rational thinking? Do you have any suggestions to help make football safer for players of all ages?

Source: New York Daily News, "Junior Seau's family sues NFL claiming star linebacker's suicide a result of brain disease caused by violent hits," Michael O'Keefe, Jan. 23, 2013