A scene straight out of the Titanic. Big grizzly interior linemen and the Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs are left crying on each others’ shoulders, players from both sides circle the sidelines in prayer, and the starting quarterback Brady Quinn questions his own morals asking, “What could I have done differently?” Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is known for its “Sea of Red” in the crowd. Unfortunately, this “Sea of Red” was extremely turbulent when the news of the Chief’s Linebacker Javon Belcher’s demise was released December 1st.
Kassandra Perkins was twenty- two years young when she was murdered by Chief’s Starting Linebacker, boyfriend, father; Javon Belcher. Once deemed a model couple, with all the love, compassion, and added humor, to keep a relationship strong, things fell apart quickly. After weeks of noted arguments between the couple over financial grief, Belcher shot his longtime girlfriend in their home only miles away from Arrowhead Stadium, in front of Belcher’s mother and baby girl Zoey.
After the death of Perkins, Belcher fled the residence. Belcher pulled up to Arrowhead Stadium, to thank what he would likely be considered a second family. Getting out of his Bentley, Belcher was viewed by Head Coach Romeo Crennel, and General Manager Scott Pioli as, “Clearly troubled”. Something was going to happen. With hands quivering, Belcher thanked Crennel for all that was given to him from the Kansas City Chiefs organization, as he always was a thankful individual. Approximately 8:20 A.M, police arrived at Arrowhead’s Practice Facility; Belcher walked away from his conversation with a few members of the Chief’s coaching staff, and took his life. In just a short time, Kassandra Perkins, and Javon Belcher were gone, leaving their three month old daughter Zoey all alone.
Just a day after the tragic event, the media had found every angle and every crumb of a detail to relay to its followers, and a game was to be played at Arrowhead between the Carolina Panthers and the Kansas City Chiefs. With enough touching images to fill a five hundred page photo gallery, fans will remember the Chiefs second win of the season, as the honorary victory for all those affected by the tragedy. On this day, two teams appeared to be one; players embraced players, coaches with coaches, and the coaches with its players. “We didn’t know the guy that made those last few decisions,” said Brandon Siler, who played a permanent fill in for Belcher in the Chiefs 27-21 victory over the Panthers. As illustrated earlier this year with the scandal at Penn State, even a lifetime of achievements can be erased by one bad decision.