The Kansas City Chiefs won their second game of the season on Sunday, just over 24 hours after linebacker Jovan Belcher murdered his girlfriend before committing suicide.
The team decided to prepare the deceased player’s locker with his gameday outfit. They hung up his jersey, pants, and helmet in his stall, and had his cleats laid out on the ground by his chair.
Many people believe that a killer should not be memorialized the way the team appeared to with this action. I agree that is the case, but I think an exception can be made in this situation for those deeply connected to the tragedy.
The Chiefs players must be confused and struggling to comprehend reality. I’m sure hanging his jersey and gameday outfit is not a message intended to condone his actions, but rather to help them remember a teammate during an extremely difficult time.
Carolina Panthers reporter Joe Person notes that the Chiefs prepare the locker stalls for all their players on injured reserve, so this action wasn’t exactly unique. The team also is starting a fund for Belcher’s orphaned daughter.
As long as this is a one-time thing for today, I can understand it. They should not be using a murderer as an inspiring figure for the future.
Photo: Joe Person/Twitter
