Junior Seau fell victim to a problem encountered by many former pro athletes -- post-career depression -- this according to former pro athlete-turned-actor Rick Fox.
Fox tells TMZ, retiring from a professional sport leads to a massive shift in lifestyle -- from glorified hero to relative anonymity -- and for some players, the change is too tough to handle.
Fox tells us, "At the end of the day [Junior] shot himself in the chest, which is the heart, and a lot of people die of a broken heart when they leave the game."
Fox adds, "The real world is a rough place, man ... Depression is real."
Rick Fox, Kobe Bryant ... and Laker fans everywhere seem so distraught over Lamar Odom's move to the Mavericks -- the trade shoulda been sponsored by Kleenex. WAHHHH!!
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Rick Fox could end up paying the City of Los Angeles nearly $500 -- because TMZ has learned, the ex-NBA star got popped for running a red light recently ... and the cop didn't let him off with a warning.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Fox -- who was driving a brand new BMW 7 Series -- was cruising around west L.A. when he accidentally stopped too late at a red light ... and had to proceed through the intersection.
We're told a cop saw the whole thing and pulled Fox over, citing him for running the red.
The ticket itself costs $446 ... but with traffic school, the final bill could be a lot more.
Our "Dancing With the Stars" spies are better than ever this week, because we know which special guests are singing, which dances the dancers are dancing, and what songs they've chosen. So, warning -- ***SPOILER ALERT BELOW***
You've got to love yet another ironic song choice by Bristol Palin ... "You Can't Hurry Love" -- she clearly didn't "just have to wait." Definitely not ironic ... Audrina dancing to "Love Machine." A hugging, kissing fiend indeed!
Here's the rundown:
-- Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke -- "Tush" (jive)
-- Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas -- "Suddenly I See" (quickstep)
-- Brandy and Maks Chmerkovskiy -- "Magic" (jive)
-- Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower -- "Hound Dog" (quickstep)
-- Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani -- "Love Machine" (quickstep)
-- Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough -- "Shake It" (jive) -- Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel -- "Dreaming" (jive)
-- Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer-- "I Want You To" (quickstep)
-- Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya -- "Danger Zone" (jive)
-- Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas -- "You Can't Hurry Love" (quickstep)
-- The Situationand Karina Smirnoff -- "We No Speak Americano" (quickstep)
As for the celeb singers, Seal will sing his new song, "Weight of My Mistake," Tuesday night, and Janelle Monae will sing "Tightrope."
Rick Fox and his girlfriend Eliza Dushku didn't just go the extra mile for a family member Thursday -- they went an extra 115 miles -- driving from L.A. to a courtroom in the Mojave Desert to support Eliza's big bro.
Turns out, Eliza's big brother -- actor Nathaniel Dushku -- was busted in the desert city of Barstow, CA back in January, after cops say dude was speeding down the highway at more than 100 MPH.
Nate was due back in court yesterday -- and Rick and Eliza made the drive to lend support.
But this story has a happy ending -- we're told the officer who busted Nate was a no-show in court and the ticket was dismissed.
... well, he was for ten minutes when an army of children swarmed the guy like he was Shaquille O'Neal!
Roughly one billion super-excited kids spotted and rushed Rick Fox last night, begging the former NBA star to sign anything they could throw at him -- shoes, basketballs, paper ... even a $20 bill!!
The kids went absolutely insane, screaming, yelling, celebrating -- and Rick made sure to high five and sign for each and every one of them. Good dude.
Former Laker Rick Fox has a hot body -- literally. The 39-year-old's moobies were covered in man-sweat while out his with daughter in Beverly Hills on Thursday.
Former Laker Rick Fox is great at dribbling -- all over his car! The 6'7", 38-year-old ex-Mr. Vanessa Williams pumped it at an L.A. gas station on Tuesday, but was premature in releasing his hose and made a mess on the side of his ride. Dirty boy.
What is going on inside these Hollywood clubs lately?! Do people have 'roid rage?! Ask Rick Fox! He was there, bettin' on it!
TMZ cameras caught yet another brawl in the Les Deux parking lot over the weekend. This fight was so chaotic that even former L.A. Laker Rick Fox was seen trying to get in on the action, seen betting on the fight -- until he sees TMZ watching him -- then sly Fox says loud and clear, "Gambling is illegal!" He doesn't mention assault!
Angry clubgoers were seen trying to rip each other apart, while others stood by watching the melee. Don't these classy peeps need to get up early Sunday morning for church?
TMZ's crew and veteran cameraman Josh Levine were all over Hollywood last night, doing what they do best; catching all the action!
We started the night at Hollywood hotspot Area, where the girls were at it again. New BFFs Britney, Paris and Lindsay all showed up at the swanky L.A. club, setting the paparazzi into a frenzy with each arrival. Britney, who showed up with a few of her backup dancers, caught up with her past inside the club: our cameras spotted ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake entering just minutes before Britney!
Also soaking up the moonlight; "birthday boy" Tom Green, "The Hills" star LC (Lauren Conrad), comedian Jamie Kennedy, rocker Dave Navarro, Greasy Bear Brandon Davis, CaCee Cobb, former Laker Rick Fox, platinum-selling artist T.I., and Bruce Willis -- who was spotted having dinner with friends at Koi.
Before Justin Bieber went toe-to-toe with a photographer -- sparking a police investigation -- he trained with "Iron" Mike Tyson! Wondering how they ended up together? Well, we got Tyson on the phone ... and you won't believe his excuse for kicking it with Biebs. Plus,…
