No one will ever know for sure why Junior Seau took his own life, but based on what I’ve read in the media, and what is pretty common with NFL players soon after they retire, it appears he was experiencing severe financial problems. And because he was a famous celebrity and saw himself as a role model for kids I’m sure it was embarrassing for him to acknowledge that he hadn’t been able to take care of his own finances in such a way as to provide him and his family with a secure future. Whether or not Junior was an addicted gambler no one will know. But his death is another reason why the NFL needs to provide active players with reliable financial counseling and help them get their lives in order and prepare them for the day they retire.  Also, professional athletes who know their finances are secure perform at a higher level that those who are worried about their investments and their cash flow.