Ex-Chicago Bears Safety Dave Duerson Commits Suicide

Late Thursday evening, former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson was discovered dead in his home, killed instantly by a fatal gunshot wound to the chest that has been ruled a suicide by Miami-Dade Police Department.

At the wishes of Duerson, his family has made the decision to donate his brain for trauma research. It was Duerson's personal wish to aid in making football a safer sport for children in the future and his brain has since been turned over to a research facility. It has been concluded the suicide was not connected with any foul play. According to witnesses, there were no other visitors to enter nor exit the home of Duerson for at least two days prior to the shooting.

At 50 years old, Duerson's football career landed him at the Super Bowl in January 1986. That was also the year the Chicago Bears took home the title. Just a few short years later, Duerson also successfully began a youth football group geared toward spreading knowledge and preventative measures against drug and alcohol abuse. In 1987 the former Bears safety even received an outstanding Walter Payton Award as the NFL Man of the Year.

Though Duerson retired from football in 1993, his kindness and efforts within the community did not end there. To family, friends and anyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

As reported by the Chicago Tribune, a statement recently released by the Chicago Bears expressed the grief over losing the teammate. "We are stunned and saddened to hear the tragic news regarding Dave Duerson. He was a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community. Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave. We'll miss him."

Duerson also spent a two year term standing in position as President of the Monogram Club, received a valued award as the 1988 Humanitarian of the Year in NFL and contributed countless hours of his time to making the community a better, safer place.

His actions, kindness and talents will not soon be forgotten by residents of the Chicago community. Memories of the fallen football player remain resonated in the hearts of all he knew and admired him will not soon be forgotten.

Sources:
Dan Pompei, "Bears' Duerson dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound; brain to be studied" Chicago Breaking Sports
Reuters, "Former Bears safety Duerson dies at 50" The Chicago Tribune