An Unspeakable Tragedy

Every once and a while, tragedies occur that remind fans that life is so much bigger than sports. Today is one of those days. According to police, Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Jovan Belcher shot his girlfriend early this morning and then drove to the Chiefs practice facility and killed himself. Before killing himself, he was talking with GM Scott Pioli and Coach Romeo Crennel while pointing a gun to his head. Belcher was allegedly thanking Pioli and Crennel for all they had done for him and they reported that they never felt they were in any danger. After he talked to them, Belcher walked in the opposite direction and pulled the trigger. Belcher and his girlfriend leave behind a 3-month-old daughter.

This horrific incident calls to mind two other tragedies that occurred this year involving current or former NFL players. The first, was when former Chargers and Patriots Linebacker Junior Seau killed himself at his home in May. That incident took many by surprise as he had always appeared upbeat and was at the USC spring game just a few weeks before playing the ukulele. The other is when former Titans wide receiver O.J. Murdock shot himself in July after calling a former coach and apologizing as well as thanking a reporter.

I cannot imagine the pain that is currently being felt by the families of Belcher and his girlfriend as well as all the members of the Chiefs organization. My heart and prayers go out to all of them and will continue to do so.