Breaking News: Former Patriots (and our home team, the Chargers) linebacker was found this morning in his Oceanside, CA home, dead of an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Police statements claim he was found by his girlfriend, who called 911. Paramedics attempted to save the 43-year-old, 12-time NFL Pro-Bowler, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.

The suicide is strikingly similar to another NFL star’s, death, according to Boston.com:

Seau’s death, by gunshot wound to the chest, is similar to the way former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson died of suicide. Duerson shot himself in the chest on Feb. 17 — a method used so that his brain could be examined for symptoms of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a trauma-induced disease common to NFL players and others who have received repeated blows to the head.

Our thoughts go out to Junior’s family and friends, as well as all the players who were blessed enough to play alongside him.

We’ll keep you updated as the story unfolds.