Junior Seau died today at age 43.
Junior Seau died today at age 43. REUTERS

Former Chargers linebacker Junior Seau died Wednesday morning from a gunshot wound to the chest. Police say they are investigating the 43-year-old's death as a potential suicide.

Seau is just one in a list of former NFL players who have committed suicide. Here are some other football players that recently took their own lives.

Jeff Alm

The former Houston Oilers defensive end killed himself with a shotgun in 1993. Alm took his own life just minutes after crashing his car, and killing his friend who was sitting in the passenger seat. The accident left Alm unharmed, and it was believed that he committed suicide after being despondent over his friend's death.

Ray Esterling

The former Falcons player committed suicide in April at 62 years old. Esterling suffered brain damage from his playing days in the 1970s and sued the NFL for their mishandling of his head injuries.

Dave Duerson

Duerson killed himself on Feb. 17, 2011. The former Bears defensive back reportedly shot himself in the chest so that his brain could be examined after his death. Duerson's family filed a wrongful death suit against the NFL for failing to properly treat or prevent concussions that led to his brain damage.

Kenny McKinley

McKinley was found dead in his apartment after an apparent suicide in Sept. 2010. The 23-year-old Broncos wide receiver shot himself after reportedly being depressed over undergoing two knee surgeries in eight months.