NFL Players Suggest Prayer After Jovan Belcher's Murder-Suicide
KC Chief Linebacker Said to Have Shot Mother of His Daughter Before Killing Self
Jovan Belcher, linebacker of the Kansas City Chiefs, killed his girlfriend before committing suicide at his team's Arrowhead Stadium practice facility on Saturday, according to officials.
According to TMZ, 25-year-old Belcher took his own life in front of Chiefs' general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel. Kansas City police officials have told the city's media that Belcher shot his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins nine times in front of his mother on Saturday, according to the New York Post's Bart Hubbuch.
While details are still emerging about what prompted Belcher to kill the mother of his three-month old baby and himself, various peers of the NFL player have been reacting to the tragedy.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins quarterback, tweeted about praying for those affected by Belcher's shootings along with his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins.
"Prayers sent up for Jovan Belcher, Kasandra Perkins, the Kansas City Chiefs and all those affected by the sad events of today," Griffin tweeted.
Griffin's teammate Washington Redskins safety DeJon Gomes, shared similar sentiments.
"All that glitters is not gold...prayers going up to the Kansas City Chiefs organization and that man's family," Gomes tweeted.
Chase Daniel, New Orleans Saints QB, let his Twitter followers know that life matters more than the NFL after hearing about the tragedy.
"My prayers are with the @KCChiefs after the events that unfolded this morning," Daniel tweeted after hearing about the events that took place. "Life is way bigger than football could ever be."
Ikechuku Ndukwe, NFL free agent who was Belcher's teammate in 2009, expressed his personal feelings about the player who took his own life.
"I always had a strong affinity for Belcher...It's bewildering to think that he would be capable of committing such heinous acts." Ndukwe said in a piece that he wrote for Yahoo! Sports. "I guess you can say you never truly know someone. Or you never know what people are truly capable of."
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks QB, decided to also extend his prayers to the Chiefs' organization.
"Prayers are overflowing from me & the @Seahawks players, coaches, and fans for Belcher's and young lady's family, friends & @kcchiefs," Wilson tweeted.
However, Baltimore Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones, asked his Twitter followers to pray for him since Belcher was his childhood friend.
"Please keep me in your prayers, just lost (a) childhood friend who played (for) Kansas City Chiefs. Taking it pretty hard right now," Jones tweeted. "It's been a super tough week for me. I appreciate all the love and support from my fans, family and friends."
