Junior Seau Arrested for Suspicion of Domestic Violence then drives off cliff

One of the most beloved San Diego Chargers ever, linebacker Junior Seau was arrested early today on suspicion of domestic violence, then according to sources apparently drove his Cadillac SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad a few hours after being released.

Emergency crews responding to a 911 call found Seau on the beach below Carlsbad Boulevard and Solamar Avenue about 8:45 a.m. Seau, the sole occupant of the white 2004 SUV, was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital for treatment of apparently minor injuries. The cause of Seau’s solo traffic crash was unclear, though police said there was no evidence that he was intoxicated at the time and apparently was not in a suicidal state of mind.

According to police sources, Junior Seau had been arrested in the wee hours of Monday morning on suspicion of domestic violence. Late Sunday evening Seau’s 25-year-old live-in girlfriend called 911 from the home they share in Oceanside and claimed that he had assaulted her during an argument. According to police, the woman suffered superficial injuries that did not require medical treatment. Seau apparently was not at the home when officers arrived at the scene, but called his girlfriend a short time later and agreed to return to the residence. He returned shortly after midnight and was arrested without incident. He was booked about 2 a.m., then posted bail and was released roughly 90 minutes later, according to jail officials.

Seau, 41, a 12-time Pro Bowler and very likely NFL Hall-of-Famer, played for the San Diego Chargers from 1990 to 2002, then went to the Miami Dolphins from 2003 to 2005 and finally came out of retirement to join the New England Patriots from 2006 to 2009.