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Subscribe to RSSThe day after Kansas City Chiefs' linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend and then killed himself, fans mourned a tragedy. NBC's Than Truong reports.
The relationship between Kansas Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher and his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, became strained after the birth of their daughter, family and friends say.
Belcher, 25, fatally shot Perkins, 22, Saturday and then drove to a stadium parking lot where he committed suicide in front of two coaches and the team's general manager, leading many to wonder what went wrong in Belcher's promising young life.
Perkins’ friends and family described a fraught relationship, though Belcher's family said outsiders can't really know what was going on between them.
The night before she was killed, Perkins went to a Trey Songz concert with some friends "to take a break," Lynell Diggs, a friend who was with her told Newsday.
"He [Belcher] didn't want her going out with the baby at home," said Diggs.
PFT: Coach says he 'wasn't able to reach the young man'
According to police reports, Belcher and Perkins were arguing around 7 a.m. on Saturday. Also at their home was Belcher's mother, who was visiting to help care for their three-month-old daughter, Zoey Michelle.
Around 7:50 a.m., Belcher shot Perkins several times. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Belcher drove 15 minutes to Arrowhead Stadium where he stood in the parking lot and thanked general manager Scott Pioli, head coach Romeo Crennel and linebackers coach Gary Gibbs, for what they had done for him, news reports said. Belcher had played three seasons for the Chiefs and had started in nearly every game.
Then he pulled the trigger.
Angela Perkins, 32, Perkins' cousin, told Newsday that Belcher and Perkins hadn't been getting along for some time. She had visited around the time the baby was born, she said.
She said having a baby and Belcher's busy schedule strained their relationship, according to Newsday.
Ed Zurga / AP
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, left, and coach Romeo Crennel stand together before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Sunday, the day after witnessing linebacker Jovan Belcher kill himself.
Perkins' Instagram profile suggested a different story. On Friday, fewer than 24 hours before she died, she posted photos of Belcher smiling and kissing their daughter.
Outside Belcher’s mother’s home Saturday in West Babylon, N.Y., where he grew up and attended high school, friends and family gathered. Jerseys and Letterman jackets had been hung up along the outside of the house. Trophies and photographs lined the ground beneath.
They raised plastic cups to toast Belcher, who was described as quiet, thoughtful, a role model.
Belcher played football in West Babylon but wasn't recruited to play college ball, according to the Boston Globe. Rather, he was a star wrestler who kept trim — 6-foot-2 and under 200 pounds.
In 2008, Belcher told the Globe: "I do like being the underdog because you can come up and surprise people."
At the University of Maine, Belcher became the team captain and was named national defensive player of the year.
"When he got to campus, he was a phenomenally impressive young man, in how he conducted himself in and around the young men in our program," Maine coach Jack Cosgrove told the Globe at the time. "We were fortunate nobody else recruited him."
Cosgrove described Belcher's "infectious smile" and said he was a great role model who worked well with children — the football player had been a child development and family relations major.
MSNBC's Alex Witt talks with The Nation's Dave Zirin about the Kansas City Chiefs playing on Sunday, a day after linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend and then himself.
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Apparently part of their problems were caused by his busy schedule. Let's see . . . 52 weeks in a year, 20 games per year, and perhaps 4 more if the team makes the playoffs, millions of dollars a year in income, etc. Talk about stress! What about the stress of the many parents in this country who work two jobs to put food on the table for their children, come home and don't shoot each other?
The man is a cold blooded murderer. He killed the mother of his child. The man is a cold blooded murderer. That is the take home.
Leave it to NBC to have Bob Costas present this tragedy as a political platform for gun control laws on prime time TV.
Distasteful, a disgrace to the victims families, and just down right juvenile. He looked and sounded like a damn fool.
Yes exactly what I thought when I saw him on TV. The left can not wait for their chance to shove their political views down everyones throats. They don't even have the class to consider what the families of both people involved think or are going through before spouting their biased views to everyone. Costas did look and sound like a fool but there are so many people out there watching that probably agreed with what they did.
If this was a conservative who did something like this, I would feel the same. They all pretend to be journalist but they constantly prove themselves as nothing more than completely biased mouthpieces for their political views. There are no longer real journalist who just report the news as it really happens.
They just can not seem to stop themselves from making themselves look like idiots when they throw out their views on the wrong places. We tuned in to NBC to watch football, not to listen to their employees spout their political leanings.
I wish they would just call the game and that is it. If I wanted to listen to liberal viewpoints, I could tune into CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS or PBS during the news but not during the football game.
@ Obummed
Well said.
Ditto to 4-Freedom
and from Costas and Whitlock (and to all you liberal, this is how conservative Fox is)
Again sounds like a liberal argument. Take away guns and we'll all be safer from our selves.
If Belcher was mad enough to shoot Perkins, he was darn sure mad enough to hit her hard enough to kill, especially doing it in front of his mother.
NO, something else was wrong with this guy. And it sure wasn't gun ownership.
Except of course that he is right. The amount of time it takes to kill someone with a knife, or any other method gives a person time to reconsider, you can't deny that.
@ BG
No one can make that assumption. How many cases are there each year when someone is stabbed, bludgeoned or strangled by a known person? Who is to say that, had the gun not been available, he could not have picked up a heavy object, or given his physicality, bear fisted, hit her hard enough to kill her? Or grabbed a knife out of the kitchen? Perhaps she would have survived the attack perhaps not.
I don't know about you, but I have in my past suffered fits of rage, where I am working on something and being stymied at ever turn. And I just want to pick up a sledge hammer an beat it, but something in the back of my mind keeps me from doing exactly that, because I know I will have to be the one who fixes it(consequences). I know some people who do not have this "governor", whether it is nature or nurture, I don't know. But I can guess, that Belcher, did not have this "governor", and I doubt he would have stopped to reconsider.
I have learned to walk away for a while, and return later with fresh perspective. Evidently Belcher had not yet learned this approach.
dumbfarmboy
first off, thank you for your insight and thank you for being able to disagree with me without getting personal. Reading posts has shown me that when people disagree, getting personal is something that is so common and so common. But still, you miss my central premise, which is that when we are stymied and frustrated, if we are given a gun, the probability that bad things will happen is so much greater that, at least in my mind, is reason enough to not have one. I fear exactly what you say, which is that, if I had a gun, I may well have acted out of haste toward myself or others. The fact that I don't own a gun may well have contributed to the fact that I am still here.
@ BG
I try to post a reasonably impersonal response to someone's original post, unless they start off being belligerent. I agree, it does no good to belligerent if you wish to convince those you are discussing anything with yours is the correct view.
And in your case not having a gun was perhaps the correct one. Yours is one case in 300 million. I can give you a hundred cases in which the gun was the deciding factor in a completely different outcome.
We tried to outlaw alcohol many years ago, and your see where that led to. So we have to figure out away to deal with DWI, because people still drive drunk. We ban guns, they will still be here, just as the booze was then, but it will be the "Gansters/ Criminals" who will control them. Don't believe me? How's that war on drugs going? They still manufacture meth, here. How hard do you think it is to make a gun? (here's a hint, I have made several, from scratch. even though they were single shot muzzle loaders, but nothing is stopping me from machining out a full auto except going to jail) All you need is a lathe and mill, and maybe a broach or two. (i have a mill and a buddy has a lathe)
So, what do we do? Violate a God given right to self defense, from Predators (remember there are people in this country who live and make a living in regions where they have to carry a sidearm to defend against bears, mt lions, wolves. Not to mention Hoodlums.)
As an aside the the manufacture of Meth, I have a nephew in jail for exactly that. Brilliant kid, he just doesn't have that 'Compunction' filter. It is as if, he is surprised he is in jail for doing something wrong, even though he knows it's wrong. It is very strange talking to him. (It is kinda like talking to an ultra left wing or bible thumping nut)
It is too bad this happened.It's also too bad that so many millions think these athletes are heroes
As tragic as the events are for many in both families and for the little girl who is now parentless... NBC had to stoop the the pathetic level of essentially blaming it on the gun. Bob Costas actually lamented at half time that "if Belcher did not have a gun, they both would be alive right now." As if he had a crystal ball into an alternative reality. Definitely a tragedy that does not need to be politicized...I will not be watching Football Night in America after this stunt.
This is a tragedy and it remains even more of a tragedy the current trend with respect to relationships in the black community which indirectly has a direct link in mayy respects to this very unfortunate incident. I know that there will be many that disagree with what I am about to say but this is reality and hard truth....Go online a google Black Men/Black Women and anything dealing with relationships (I am black by the way), what you will find is an all out war for leadership, authority, control of black relationships in general. Black men and Women have never been more disconnected and black women are challenging Black men at every turn for everything.....Not saying this was the case in their relationship becuase who knows what really happened....but by and large you look at what is online, you look at any black reality show from Atlanta Housewives to Basketball Wives you will see and know what generally goes on in these power struggles. If this was the case it still does not justify what he did but family courts, the child support system and society in general disregarding the unprecedented amounts of emotional pain being exacted on men and in particular black men plays a large part in domestic violence...Again it does not justify a thing but all of the things mentioned above and the pressure of being in the NFL if these things are relative are a serious recipe driving a person insane....plain and simple, these things can be worked on but Black Women, hear me....SHUT UP and LISTEN and STOP CHALLENGING everything the man in your relationship does, if you want to be the head in the relationship just be alone until you realize you are the woman inthe relationship.....Black Men, when you cannot take anymore confrontations, get away as fast as you can and get your mind together...do not lose yourself control.....love each other and forgive each other and learn to RESPECT each other.
Like so many others who have posted; I'm appalled that this story completely ignores the victim and her family, and instead sought to glorify a man who brutally murdered this woman, living their child an orphan.
A "great role model"?, hardly; "phenomenally impressive young man"?..really?! He was so impressive that he felt the need to express his gratitude to Team Representatives for what they had done for him and then created more victims by killing himself in front of these people.
This is a shameful article.
I do have to respond to one poster who said that she must have been cheating or he was crazy. This comment is almost as bad as the premise of the article. How could someone assume that she was cheating?; perhaps she wanted to end the relationship, perhaps she was frightened by his behaviors? There are many scenarios that could have occurred, none of which involve cheating. To think that there are only two reasons why this happened and one of them was because the responder assumed she was cheating is absurd.
It irks me that people are "honoring" "toasting" "hanging jerseys." This guy is a MURDERER. Plain and simple. The media is making Belcher out to be a victim in this. He was a selfish Son of a Bitch and a coward. I hope he is swimming in the lake of fire. Prayers to Kasandra's memory, her Mother who witnessed the horrid event, and of course the Daughter who will grow up eventually having to know what happened to her parents. Rest in Peace Kasandra
Adulation of a murderer is unbelievable. Is the thought that he only killed a baby-momma who had no worth?
Roid rage is a terrible thing and, if the autopsy truth is ever released, I'll bet they find all kinds of crap in his system.
If so, I hope the lawsuit from his daughter totally bankrupts the football team and his like minded teammates, who are idolizing him, suffer nightmares for the rest of their lives.
A coward taking the easy way out here on earth. When he answers to God, it won't be as pleasant.
What was the cause of the violence? Was it due to a thug/ghetto mindset? Or was he a decent person who suffered traumatic brain damage on the football field?
People that are saluting this guy are likely products of the "everyone gets a trophy" culture, where one is never to blame for their own mistakes and shortcomings. Pathetic.
"They raised plastic cups to toast Belcher, described as quiet, thoughtful, a role model." That's taking being a sports fan FAR too far. They could have expressed sorrow at whatever in life made him capable of thinking that human life isn't so precious that no one should have the right to take another's.
I really don't know why this happen...guess nobody knows.
Now before you go bananas..this is just my OPINION!
I say..she is 22 ( great looking girl if you saw her pictures-I did)..but he is a NFL football player on the road galore, now from what my opinion is..she might have gotten to friendly with her college class mates and he happen to take that in a negative way.Results a very jealous person..who knows?
I say he's spiked up on a bunch of performance enhancing drugs and is half Inessa like the rest of them... then the coaches push and push and push. The schedule is ridiculous.
Basically they don't care about people... they care about money. They didn't even cancel the game.
I Think the KC team has shown a total disrespect for their coaches and team mates and the woan who was killed. It seems the almighty dollar has out weighed common decency. There is no way this game should have been played today. If they had to forfiet to the other team then so beit.
More focus should be on the fact that there is an orphan baby who doesn't even know or comprehend what has happened, and now needs a lot of care for a long time. The Chiefs hopefully will create a fund to raise money for that kid.
The baby isn't his. Read the article. Why would they create a fund for some kid not even related to him? Doh!
Am I wrong to wonder why the article and commentors are talking and caring about this murderer without even mentioning the woman he MURDERED?
Yes, because God forbid they stop and let anyone have a moment or a human emotion in lue of the almighty dollar. And they wonder why these things are happening... and will happen again.
It's sports... it's a game it's not real life!! Get a grip and bring it back to the ground - people are more important.
THE BABY WAS NOT HIS . THE dna test proved it.
They weren't even married. I bet he was the example of perfect purity while they were gone on travel... as all the sports stars are.
Give me a break. Plues it is his baby. That's just more rumor crap made up by people that have to worship sports stars that are just thugs after all.
''One NEVER climbs too high they can't fall'': This old proverb was illustrated by Orenthal James Simpson, Michael Dwayne Vick, Keith Jerome Wright..........and now we have Jovan Allen Belcher added to the roster. Fame and fortune may not always prove to be the ''magical genie'' as many would believe.
What is really sad is the picture at the top of this article showing a fan with a sign saying " A Sad Day In KC, #59 ". Go ahead and try to glorify a loser that murdered a woman. If he had any real balls he would have just killed himself. That would have been good riddance. But no, this weak minded pantywaist had to take someone else with him.
Most pro athletes are a bunch of overpaid losers whom can't add 2+2, but get millions a year because they can run like the cops are chasing them. Just look how many of them are broke five years after they retire.
All you sport fanatics, these are the people you worship? HA HA! What a waste!
If this society is going to continue, we have to stop glorifying athletes both in college and professional. Believe it or not, there was a time when colleges were reserved for students.Professional foorball players were paid about $ 50 per game. We have turned our colleges into affirmative action centers where almost NONE of the minority athletes EVER even come close to a degree. Check out the SEC graduation rate for football and basketball. I tuned out about 10 years ago. I hope everyone else will do the same. We are on the wrong trasck folks.
Reality and hard truth: I am in my 60s, Irish, and grew up in a mixed/Black neighborhood. I agree with you 100% and I saw so much of this woman yelling at man in the military and outside. It is striking what you say because I have seen so much of this.
Mike 277: you said nothing wrong. Cheating is always a consideration. I had a newborn a good time back and the mother immediately used our daughter as a pawn while taking up with a man who used cocaine and led a real fast life. I am paying a lot for professional help for my kid who is doing much better after having spent 19 years of her life mothering and feeling sorry for a mother who was repeatedly diagnosed as having a severe borderline personality disorder and sociopathic qualities.
In 2002 there was the multiple murders at Fort Bragg after many of the Green Berets had returned from months of fierce combat in Afghanistan. In every instance the wives had cheated on their husbands, and of course the press didn't mention this side of things. The cheating by their wives can be easily confirmed.
So Mike 277- good analysis- we won't know for awhile what caused Belcher to kill. Was the baby daughter being used as a pawn? Was the mother constantly belittling the father? I was belittled and raged at and I know hundreds of men who were belittled. I know so many honest black men in the Army who were berated by their wives who were out cheating on them when they were in the field or deployed. Of course, this cheating applies to all the White soldiers too.
S
Another happy and proud day for gun-lovers.
@ John N,
Another happy and proud day for the trolls, Eh? Go ahead, blame the gun instead of the person pulling the trigger. This loser would have killed the woman and himself even without the gun. I guess you have never heard of murders or suicides by other weapons? Do you want to outlaw bathtubs and water because of the insane mother who drowns her children? Do you want to outlaw cars because of the parent who drives their vehicle into a lake to kill their offspring? Do you want to outlaws knives or any other edged tools also? Why not, they have been used to kill more people throughout history than guns have. Your thinly veiled attempt at blaming an inanimate object instead of the loser with the weapon is farcical at best. People kill other people. It matters not what is used to do the deed. Anything if used right, ( or wrong depending on how you look at it ) can be a lethal weapon. Ever heard of rope, rocks, hammers, axes, sticks, cars, etc.? All have been used to murder fellow humans. According to your logic, should we outlaw them all?
People have been killing each other for thousands of years, long before guns were ever invented. If you were able to somehow get rid of every last one, we would just revert back to sticks and stones.
After every gun death the same old lame arguments. A lot simpler and more efficient to take out multiple targets with a gun than with a hammer, machete, icepick, baseball bat, blackjack etc., etc., etc.....
War ranger, agree 100%. Just remember one thing. NOBODY forces anybody to play football. They all know the possibilities. Maybe if he used a ball bat, Idiot john n could say another happy day for baseball lovers.