Chiefs Hang Jovan Belcher’s Jersey In Locker [NoeBrainer]

The Kansas City Chiefs opted to hang up the jersey of former linebacker Jovan Belcher in his locker following the murder-suicide.  Do you take offense to the gesture?

Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, before eventually killing himself on Saturday morning.  Belcher shot Perkins nine times.  He brutally murdered her in cold blood.  The transcript of a 911 phone call from Belcher’s mom is heartbreaking.

Belcher drove to the Chiefs facility after shooting Perkins.  He thanked head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli for giving him a chance with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Maine.  Belcher then shot and killed himself in front of them.

The details of this murder-suicide are brutal.  With all of that in mind, the Chiefs still chose to hang Belcher’s jersey and helmet in his locker on Sunday when Kansas City beat the Carolina Panthers 27-21.  I brought up this topic on “The Noe Show” on Tuesday to gage whether people had a problem with it or not.  The reaction was split.

I personally don’t have a problem with the Chiefs hanging Belcher’s jersey in his locker.  There is a big difference between honoring and remembering somebody who did something horrific.  The Chiefs were remembering Belcher and his football career.  They weren’t honoring him.

When you love someone unconditionally, that love isn’t turned off like a light switch when somebody does something awful.  A lot of Belcher’s coaches and teammates love him unconditionally.  There love isn’t going to automatically disappear no matter what.  I understand why the Chiefs hung up Belcher’s uniform.  It was to remember a friend that they love.  I don’t have a problem with it.  Do you?

Brian Noe is the Brand Manager at 104.5 The Team, ESPN Radio in Albany, NY.  Brian also hosts “The Noe Show” weekdays from 1-3 pm ET on WTMM.