Chiefs fans offer mixed reactions in wake of Jovan Belcher's death

1:32PM EST December 2. 2012 - KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A mixture of mourning and anger filled the air at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday morning as Chiefs fans showed up to support a team rocked a day earlier by the suicide of linebacker Jovan Belcher following Belcher's murder of his girlfriend.

An "RIP http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/http://usatoday.com/#59" was displayed by Chiefs fans Taylor Grant and his father, Kurt Grant.

"We wanted to show our respect for a player who's played for us well over the years," Kurt Grant said. "Not to excuse what he did, but to pay respects and thank him for the four years he did give us."

Some of the most loyal Chiefs fans decided to cancel their normally festive pregame activities to reflect the somber mood.

BELL: Why the rush to play?

MORE: Belcher shootings unprecedented for NFL

"We felt it was disrespectful to the organization and to the victim's family," said Chiefs fan Brent Cable, a veteran tailgater. "I feel bad for Mr. Pioli (Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli) and (coach Romeo) Crennel and the baby. It was just selfish. We feel remorseful that this happened, but we don't feel it's appropriate for them to memorialize them in the stadium or anything.

"After all, he did commit a murder."

The team decided not to publicly memorialize Belcher today. There was no mention of him in a brief ceremony before kickoff against the Carolina Panthers.

Before the National Anthem, the public address announcer mentioned Saturday's "tragic events" and asked fans to observe a moment of silence to "remember all victims of domestic violence and their families."

None
Jovan Belcher warms up prior to the Oct. 27 game against the Ravens.  Ed Zurga, AP
None
Chiefs inside linebacker Jovan Belcher during the Sept. 30 game against the Chargers.  Ed Zurga, AP
None
Jovan Belcher celebrates a sack of Ravns quarterback Joe Flacco during their Jan. 9, 2011, AFC wild-card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.  Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images
None
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is hit by Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher in the 2011 AFC wild-card playoff game  Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images
None
Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, right, tries to tackle Dolphins running back Reggie Bush.  John Rieger, US Presswire
None
Jovan Belcher stands on the field during a game against the Raiders on Sept. 20, 2009.  Jamie Squire, Getty Images
None
Jovan Belcher, left, and Tysyn Hartman enter the field for the Nov. 1 game against the Chargers.  Donald Miralle, Getty Images
None
Jovan Belcher on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.  Charles LeClaire, US Presswire
None
Jed Collins, left, of the Saints tries to get past the Chiefs' Jovan Belcher on Sept. 23.  Chris Graythen, Getty Images
None
Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd is tackled by Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher.  Jake Roth, US Presswire
None
Jovan Belcher runs on the Arrowhead Stadium field during the Chiefs' game against the Browns on Dec. 20, 2009.  Jamie Squire, Getty Images
None
Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher (59) and cornerback Stanford Routt (26) knock Buccaneers running back Doug Martin out of bounds on Oct. 14.  Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

    Replay

    • Jovan Belcher warms up prior to the Oct. 27 game against the Ravens.
    • Chiefs inside linebacker Jovan Belcher during the Sept. 30 game against the Chargers.
    • Jovan Belcher celebrates a sack of Ravns quarterback Joe Flacco during their Jan. 9, 2011, AFC wild-card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.
    • Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is hit by Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher in the 2011 AFC wild-card playoff game
    • Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, right, tries to tackle Dolphins running back Reggie Bush.
    • Jovan Belcher stands on the field during a game against the Raiders on Sept. 20, 2009.
    • Jovan Belcher, left, and Tysyn Hartman enter the field for the Nov. 1 game against the Chargers.
    • Jovan Belcher on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
    • Jed Collins, left, of the Saints tries to get past the Chiefs' Jovan Belcher on Sept. 23.
    • Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd is tackled by Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher.
    • Jovan Belcher runs on the Arrowhead Stadium field during the Chiefs' game against the Browns on Dec. 20, 2009.
    • Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher (59) and cornerback Stanford Routt (26) knock Buccaneers running back Doug Martin out of bounds on Oct. 14.
    Autoplay
    Show Thumbnails
    Show Captions
    Fullscreen
    Last Slide Next Slide

    Privately, teammates will remember Belcher, who started 10 games this year, by setting up his locker as normal, with his red No. 59 jersey inside.

    Longtime Chiefs fans Josephine Carullo called Sunday one of the most bizarre feelings she's ever experienced at Arrowhead.

    "I think there should be a moment of silence. But there's really nothing to say," Carullo said, her eyes watering behind dark sunglasses. "He killed that poor woman, and then he killed himself. It's kind of hard to honor something like that."

    Chiefs tight end Kevin Boss tweeted Sunday morning: "Praying that God gives my teammates strength and courage today."


    Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chiefs/2012/12/02/jovan-belcher-kansas-city-arrowhead-stadium/1740713/
    Labels: