Sports Then and Now

Belcher Tragedy Has NO Team Colors

In this age of social media, you receive news good and BAD in a fraction of a second.

Unfortunately today the news was of the extremely  HORRIBLE variety.  It was reported this morning that K.C. Chiefs linebacker, Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend then took his own life outside the team facility.

Kansas City Star:

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher this morning shot and killed his girlfriend before going to Arrowhead Stadium and fatally shooting himself as team personnel tried to stop him, police said.

Police Capt. David Lindaman said Belcher, 25, and his girlfriend, 22, got into an argument around 7 a.m. at their home in the 5400 block of Crysler Avenue in Kansas City. Around 7:50 a.m., Lindaman said, Belcher shot his girlfriend multiple times. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Lindaman said Belcher’s mother, who was visiting the couple and their 3-month-old daughter, witnessed the shooting and was being interviewed by police.

Belcher left the scene on Crysler and went to the Chiefs practice facility at Arrowhead, police said.

Police were called to the stadium around 8:10 a.m. Lindaman said when Belcher arrived there he encountered General Manager Scott Pioli and other team personnel. They apparently attempted to keep him from committing additional acts of violence. When police arrived, Belcher shot himself in the head.

When receiving such HORRIFIC news in a fraction of second, whether it directly affects you or not, all you can do is REACT.

You don’t REACT, you just FEEL.

I am a fan of the New England Patriots so does this unfathomable act affect my team or people I know?

No and yes.

I do not know Jovan Belcher personally. I never heard about him until today, but he made an impact on me…..on my humanity.

I tweeted this:

Sad times for the @chiefs. #Patriots nation is thinking of them.

— BST&N (@bossprtsthennow) December 1, 2012

As this story unfolds, you find out that Jovan Belcher left a 3 month old daughter parent-less.

You hear that former Patriots GM Scott Pioli and former defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, were there on the scene trying to talk to Jovan.

According to KCPD, Scott Pioli, Romeo Crennel talked with the player before he shot himself. He thanked them. “They didn’t feel in danger.”

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 1, 2012

Player talked with Pioli, Crennel & heard police drive up. He walked away from them. KCPD: “A couple seconds later, they heard the gunshot.”

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 1, 2012

I find out that Belcher attended the University Of Maine only a 3-4 hour drive away from my home in Massachusetts.

One of my favorite pieces I read on Jovan Belcher while attending school up in Maine. RIP.jlsports.net/news_draft09be…

— Dan St.Pierre (@DanStPierre9) December 1, 2012

So just in a matter of a few hours and countless tweets, this tragedy got closer than I thought.

So Belcher wasn’t a Patriot, but he was a man and he had a family.

Now he leaves an orphaned child and the woman he loved dead.

HORRIBLE beyond words.

Doesn’t matter what laundry/uniform Javon Belcher wore on Sundays, he was troubled and he had demons.

Heartbreaking that  he did not seek help or support.

Now the support is coming in from around the NFL for the K.C. Chiefs as they are supposed to prep for a game Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers.

Prepping for a game with HEAVY HEARTS….and a loss in their FAMILY.

The Denver Broncos extend their deepest sympathies and prayers to the Kansas City Chiefs and all involved in this tragedy.

— Denver Broncos (@Denver_Broncos) December 1, 2012

Times like this you have to pray!!! I love you man, brothers for life!!!! #chiefs

— Dexter McCluster (@dextermccluster) December 1, 2012

Wow… Unbelievable tragedy. My prayers go out to the entire Chiefs organization and their families.

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) December 1, 2012

Of course there were a lot of NEGATIVE tweets, but people should NOT JUDGE until they get all the facts.

One person made a very good point however, these tragedies touch people who are not “FAMOUS” as well, we just don’t hear about it and we should treat them the SAME.

I tend to AGREE…