Tragedy Strikes KC Chiefs and Beyond

Jovan Belcher in better times

Earlier this morning Kansas Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his 22-year old girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins at their home, then drove to the Chiefs' facility and killed himself.

An unfortunate thing about stories like this is the comments people make on various sites. I've already read that people are thinking concussions, steroid involvement, etct; leave that to the professionals.It is way to early to speculate (not that any of us should) on what was the impetus for a violent end to the life of two people, but it's a tragedy that is felt by everyone.  Belcher reportedly argued with team coaches, including head coach Romeo Crennel, and GM Scott Pioli before he took his own life.

I also implore people not to make this into a gun debate right now; give it some time. Right now prayers and well wishes are needed for the families of the deceased (Belcher's girlfriend has not yet been identified) and the Chiefs organization and their fans.

The Chiefs have had more than their share of tragedies over the years. Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas was paralyzed in a 2000 car accident and died weeks later. In 1983, running back Joe Delaney drowned while trying to save three children from drowning.

Belcher, 25, grew up in West Babylon, Long Island and attended the University of Maine.

If it were me, I would, at the very least reschedule the game to Monday night. Preparing and having to play a game tomorrow is way too soon for everyone involved. Hopefully Roger Goodell has similar thoughts

Quick update from KC.com - Belcher and his girlfriend have a 3-month old daughter, who is now left without a parent.  Perkins' (originally reported as Belcher's) mother was reportedly visiting the couple and witnessed the shooting.

Updated 12/1 3 pm ET

How Ya Doin' Super Bowl?

We still laugh at the way Paul McCartney addressed the Super Bowl crowd at Super Bowl XXXIX.

NFL Comish Paul Goodell says he's seriously considering the Meadowlands new stadium for the Super Bowl in 2014. As I walked the dogs in a 9 degree wind chill this morning I thought, what are you nuts? How could they not have put a retractable roof and expect people to sit in this cold?

As for today's game, this is the first time in a while that I won't mind whichever team wins. That being said I like more of the Colts' players and will probably have a slight rooting edge for them. As for a prediction - Colts 27 Saints 23 with Peyton Manning getting MVP.

Hopefully Dwight Freeney will be able to play, even in a limited capacity, for Indy. Horrible to make it to the big game and not be able to get in there.

Good luck to Rutgers product and Colts linebacker Gary Brackett.

Really hoping not to see too many shots of Kim Kardashian (Reggie Bush's fiance) or Kendra Baskett (Hank Baskett's Mrs. and the former Hef "girl next door"). I don't think they have a brain cell between them.

Commissioner Bans Giants from MNF

NEW YORK (AP)

In a stunning press release this afternoon, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has banned the New York football Giants from playing on Monday Night Football for the foreseeable future. Goodell is said to have acted on a request from the website, "My Pinstripes".

Okay, it's just wishful thinking. How many Monday night's must we waste watching the Giants, no matter how good or bad, play horrendous football? The same goes for those Sunday prime time appearances too. It's driving us absolutely crazy (perhaps crazier).

The Giants were 8 point favorites over the Browns last night, based on their tremendous start and the Browns awful start. Someone forgot to tell the Giants. The defense gave up 454 total yards of offense and that old, interception prone, Eli Manning showed up on offense. The result was an embarrassing 35-14 loss to Cleveland.

Now there's nothing wrong with losing, but there are different ways to lose and this one was a stinker. The Giants running game was good. Derek Ward topped 100 yards, and with Brandon Jacobs, and Ahmad Bradshaw, the Giants gained 181 on the ground. But Manning was erratic and under more pressure than he's seen in a while. With the Giants down 27-14, he threw the back breaking pick to seal the deal.

The Giants had driven to the Browns 15, but Eric Wright intercepted Manning's pass and returned it 94 yards for a back breaking touchdown.

The Browns did everything they could to help the Giants out, committing 10 penalties, including what seemed like an endless number of false starts.

No Gonzo

The Giants won't be adding to their offensive arsenal as had been rumored. Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez was on the block and the Giants were extremely interested. But today's trade deadline passed and Gonzalez is still a member of the Chiefs.

Goodell Chomps PacMan

Roger Goodell may not have bounced the Giants from MNF, but he did suspend Adam "Pacman" Jones indefinitely for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Jones got in a scuffle with one of his bodyguards outside of a club on October 7.

Commissioner Bans Giants from MNF

NEW YORK (AP)

In a stunning press release this afternoon, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has banned the New York football Giants from playing on Monday Night Football for the foreseeable future. Goodell is said to have acted on a request from the website, "My Pinstripes".

Okay, it's just wishful thinking. How many Monday night's must we waste watching the Giants, no matter how good or bad, play horrendous football? The same goes for those Sunday prime time appearances too. It's driving us absolutely crazy (perhaps crazier).

The Giants were 8 point favorites over the Browns last night, based on their tremendous start and the Browns awful start. Someone forgot to tell the Giants. The defense gave up 454 total yards of offense and that old, interception prone, Eli Manning showed up on offense. The result was an embarrassing 35-14 loss to Cleveland.

Now there's nothing wrong with losing, but there are different ways to lose and this one was a stinker. The Giants running game was good. Derek Ward topped 100 yards, and with Brandon Jacobs, and Ahmad Bradshaw, the Giants gained 181 on the ground. But Manning was erratic and under more pressure than he's seen in a while. With the Giants down 27-14, he threw the back breaking pick to seal the deal.

The Giants had driven to the Browns 15, but Eric Wright intercepted Manning's pass and returned it 94 yards for a back breaking touchdown.

The Browns did everything they could to help the Giants out, committing 10 penalties, including what seemed like an endless number of false starts.

No Gonzo

The Giants won't be adding to their offensive arsenal as had been rumored. Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez was on the block and the Giants were extremely interested. But today's trade deadline passed and Gonzalez is still a member of the Chiefs.

Goodell Chomps PacMan

Roger Goodell may not have bounced the Giants from MNF, but he did suspend Adam "Pacman" Jones indefinitely for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Jones got in a scuffle with one of his bodyguards outside of a club on October 7.