Javon Belcher and the murder that rocked the Kansas City Chiefs

Jovan Belcher had the world at his feet. Aged 25 with an impressive NFL career underway and a settled relationship. Unfortunately for those around him, Belcher was on a different path, with a horrific event just around the corner.

Belcher was born in Long Island to John Belcher and Cheryl Shepard. Growing up he wrestled and played football for West Babylon High School, earning three All-American nods for his talents on the mat and earning a Division One scholarship to Maine to play football.

During his time in high school, he was known for his motivational speeches as captain of the football team, to the extent he was brought back to the school after he had left to continue the tradition.

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While Maine does play Division One football, they are certainly no powerhouse. Belcher stood out as an all-action outside linebacker and defensive end during his time there.

Belcher was a committed student, graduating with a degree in child development and family relations. He was recognized for his academic efforts by the  National Consortium for Academics and Sports Scholar-Baller Program which gave him an Academic Momentum Award.

Belcher’s size meant he would be returning to outside linebacker in the NFL, but he was viewed as one of the best small-school prospects in the draft. Despite this, he went undrafted, eventually signing with the Kansas City Chiefs who made him change position again. This time to inside linebacker.

Belcher’s battling character and on-field talents were on full display during his rookie season, earning three starts in a miserable year for the Chiefs. By his second year, he had earned a starting job as an inside linebacker, helping KC reach the playoffs.

2011 saw Belcher continue in a starting role, earning himself a one-year, $1.9 million contract before the 2012 season. Good money for an ex-UDFA.

On the surface, Belcher’s life seemed idyllic, he was living out his dream in the NFL and was settled in a long-term relationship with Kasandra Perkins. Perkins was first cousins with Belcher’s teammate Jamaal Charles’ wife. The two had one child together. Despite what it seemed, the reality was much different.

Despite Belcher’s relationship with Kasandra Perkins, he was simultaneously seeing another woman, Britney Glass, behind Perkins’ back. Belcher often confided in Glass about his home life, expressing his anger at Perkins, using eerily violent language.

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Several months before the fatal incident, Belcher had texted Glass that he was going to, “shoot (Perkins) if she did not leave him alone" after Perkins had threatened to "take all of (Belcher's) money and his child if they split up," per CBS.

On the night of November 30th, 2012, both Belcher and Perkins had attended a Trey Songz concert in Kansas City, where friends noted the couple were seen in a heated argument. Perkins returned to her home following the concert while Belcher drove to Britney Glass’ apartment sometime in the early hours of December 1st.

Belcher was unable to get into Glass’ apartment, waiting in the parking lot where police were called to investigate what had been described to them as a “suspicious person. Belcher was eventually allowed into the complex by two women he did not know. He slept on their couch until 6:30 when he drove back to the house he shared with Perkins.

Belcher and Perkins were once again heard arguing upon his return, this time by Belcher’s mother who had been living with them following the birth of their child. Belcher was reported to have told Perkins that she “couldn’t speak to him that way”. 

Cheryl Shepherd, Belcher’s mother was in another room when she heard gunshots from the master bedroom. She immediately ran in to see what had happened to see her son kneeling over the bullet-riddled body of Kasandra Perkins. Belcher leaned down and kissed Perkins’ forehead, apologizing to Perkins, his mother, and child before fleeing the scene, per ESPN.

Following the murder of his girlfriend, Belcher drove to the Chiefs training facility. Arriving at the same time as Belcher was Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli who was met by Belcher stepping out of his car with a gun pressed to the side of his head.

Belcher confessed to the murder of Kasandra Perkins to Pioli, telling him, “You know that I've been having some major problems at home and with my girlfriend. I need help! I wasn't able to get enough help. I appreciate everything you all have done for me with trying to help … but it wasn't enough. I have hurt my girl already and I can't go back now," per CBS.

Newly appointed head coach Romeo Crennel and linebackers coach Gary Gibbs arrived on the scene at the request of Belcher who was becoming increasingly irritable. Crennel tried everything he could to calm Belcher down and to take control of the gun.

Whilst Belcher and Crennel were involved in a tense confrontation, all parties involved could hear police sirens arriving at the scene. Belcher told Crennel he was, “taking the easy way out”, taking the gun and walking to the back of the parking lot where he shot himself. Despite not immediately dying, paramedics were unable to revive him.

The Chiefs played against the Carolina Panthers just a day after the tragic events, though the organization chose to not mention what had occurred. Instead, there was a moment of silence for victims of “domestic violence and their families”.

Following his death, Belcher was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain injury common with those involved in contact sports. Belcher’s mother even went as far as attempting to sue the Chiefs, claiming wrongful death as, “Defendant (Chiefs) disregarded evidence of impairments and fostered an environment where Decedent was required to play through his injuries and become exposed to further neurological harm.”

Following this fatal incident, ESPN released a report announcing Belcher was just one of 345 confirmed cases of CTE who was diagnosed following their death. Whilst CTE can not be used to justify or defend domestic abuse and violence, the repeated blows to the head taken by football players are proven to greatly increase the possibility of brain injuries.

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