Junior Seau toxicology shows traces of sleep aid

A toxicology report revealed traces of a sleep aid in Junior Seau's blood. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Junior Seau's toxicology report revealed traces of a drug

A toxicology report revealed traces of a sleep aid in Junior Seau's blood. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Junior Seau's toxicology report revealed traces of a drug used to treat insomnia but no signs of drug abuse.

USA Today has more details on the former San Diego Charger and New England Patriots linebacker who committed suicide on May 2.

The report, issued by the Office of the Medical Examiner of the Count of San Diego, identified the drug as zolpidem. Those close to Seau also said he had trouble sleeping for years and did not always take the sleep aids as directed. Nancy Emsley, who often worked out with Seau at a local gym, said she lectured Seau that he needed to sleep for eight hours after taking one. "He just rolled his eyes," she said.

In the aftermath of the death, friends and family of Seau's told

USA

TODAY Sports that he used Ambien, the best-known brand name for zolpidem. (According to Sanofi, the maker of Ambien, 95% of zolpidem sold in the USA is generic.)