Dennis Thurman was jogging on a treadmill Wednesday, watching TV, when he learned of Junior Seau’s death. The news that shook the NFL struck the New York Jets defensive backs coach like a bolt of lightning.
Pictured: Junior Seau’s No. 55 Chargers jersey is part of a memorial set up Thursday in the driveway of his Oceanside, Calif., after his death stunned Southern California.
“I almost fell off the treadmill,” Thurman said before a meeting at the team’s headquarters Thursday. “It just blew me away. Painful.”
Like many players, coaches and staff across the league, the Southern California alumus had a connection to Seau. Over the years, they shared many hearty laughs when they crossed paths, sometimes at the San Diego restaurant bearing Seau’s name. Thurman’s younger brother, also nicknamed Junior, played with Seau at Southern Cal.
“I almost fell off the treadmill,” Thurman said before a meeting at the team’s headquarters Thursday. “It just blew me away. Painful.”
Like many players, coaches and staff across the league, the Southern California alumus had a connection to Seau. Over the years, they shared many hearty laughs when they crossed paths, sometimes at the San Diego restaurant bearing Seau’s name. Thurman’s younger brother, also nicknamed Junior, played with Seau at Southern Cal.
Thurman said that Seau was so revered that he could have been governor.
Then came Wednesday, when police said Seau’s death, at 43, appeared to be suicide, which was confirmed by a medical examiner Thursday.
“Once you know someone like that, the next question is, ‘Why?’ ” Thurman said. “Who knows what was going on behind closed doors.”
In addition to the ties to Seau, I had another reason for calling Thurman.
He was Larry Bethea’s roommate during their rookie training camp and for a few years for road trips, when they played for the Dallas Cowboys.
Bethea was my first cousin, whom I miss dearly.
Just over 25 years ago, Bethea, the Cowboys’ first-round pick in 1978, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head, not long after his playing career ended.
The tragic ending for Seau hits home, as I have never stopped mourning the loss of Bethea.
SOURCE: Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY
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