The Sense and Sadness of the NFL

#59 - Javon Belcher

On Saturday, December 1, 2012, linebacker Javon Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs took the life of his 22-year-old girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, according to CBS News.com.  Belcher committed this unthinkable act in his home in the presence of his own mother, according to AOL Sporting News.com.  Additionally, Belcher and Perkins’ 3-month-old daughter, baby Zoe was in the next room when the violent act took place. 

Kasandra Perkins

After taking the life of his girlfriend, Belcher drove 5 miles to his workplace (Kansas City Chief’s-Arrowhead Stadium) and thanked the Chief’s organization from the front office down to the coaches.   Once thanking the Chiefs, Belcher took his own life, committing suicide.  Unbelievable!  This entire act was considered a murder-suicide, according to the Boston Herald.com.

The question I have to try and make any sense of is what was Belcher mentally going through to commit this violent act?

If had a company, I would have a team of people working the brand to tap into helping or assisting NFL players think about the positives and negatives of their lives.  The brand idea would be titled “Increasing the NFL’s Mental Cents”.  Increasing the mental aspect would help the player’s mentality in life.  The cents would be assisting players with projecting their financial futures.

Too often NFL players are losing millions of dollars to addictions and material items.  An ESPN, 30 for 30 film titled “Broke” depicts stories of professional athletes losing everything.  Like the film “Broke” some of the players lose their livelihood to drugs, alcohol, gambling addictions, sexual addictions and other things.  Quite often those other things are the material items like multiple houses, multiple cars, a boatload of jewelry, and enough clothes to cover a neighborhood of families.

I would make sure every player understood where their lives would end up if they continue to lose millions on addictions and material items.  There is the mental capacity to handle life after losing millions, but what about a player’s mental make up when he is young?

The tragedy of the whole Javon Belcher situation is there may have been a way to prevent the murders.  I am not a psychologist or a psychiatrist, but if Belcher would have shown any prior signs, he could have received help. 

Football is all about manhood and showing heart.  Talent is in every player, which is why these are professional players.  I have always believed that talent means nothing without the heart.  All of the great players throughout history possessed leadership skills and displayed the heart to lead by voice or through actions.  The pride of manhood often hides the reality of what is happening within.  I believe that statement defines manhood for players and a high percentage of everyday men in life.

I believe more programs are needed to help these men in everyday life.  Yes, NFL players have millions more than any of us could image, so we assume there is no excuse.  Please remember one thing, this does not dismiss NFL players from being human beings. 

Javon, Kasandra, and Zoe

No matter the amount of money a person makes, human life supersedes everything else.  I hope NFL players and organizations recognize issues of all aspects and I truly hope everyday people realize it as well.

Baby Zoe lost both of her parents in the span of 15 minutes.  I can only pray for Zoe and her future along with the families of Javon Belcher and Kasandra Perkins during this devastating time.

May both rest in peace!