Former USC and San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was found dead in San Diego on Wednesday.
According to reports, the former Super Bowl champ may have succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Oceanside, Calif. home.
PLAY IT NOW: Hines Ward Shares His Story With ‘NFL Characters Unite’
He leaves behind three children.
Almost immediately, the news went viral on Twitter as fans reacted with shock.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Stars We Lost In 2012
Celebrities and athletes - some of whom had connections to the athlete (like Reggie Bush and Rey Maualuga, who attended his alma mater) - and some who were just fans, shared their grief on Twitter.
Here is what they wrote:
Reggie Bush: R.I.P Jr. Seau one of the greatest players to play the game!
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Sudden Endings: Stars Who Died Too Soon
Chad Ochocinco: 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
Kendra Wilkinson: I'm so sad. RIP JUNIOR SEAU. He was an amazing player and an amazing man. I looked up to him when I was young. :(
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Athletes & Stars At The ESPYS 2011
Arsenio Hall: SEAU!
Rey Maualuga: Say it ain't so!? Junior Seau? Please tell me this ain't true!!!!!!!!
Matthew Barkley (USC's current quarterback): #RIPJuniorSeau You were one of the greatest Trojans of all time!
Tom Arnold: #RIP Junior Seau. Got to know him on the sports show and a bunch of charity stuff. Great guy. GREAT ballplayer. Respect to his family.
Evan Royster (Washington Redskins): always loved watchin junior seau play... still hoping these reports arent true
Mohamed Massaquoi (Cleveland Browns): RIP Junior Seau. Life is so precious. Cherish every moment of it.
Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


