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

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 #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.

"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."

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."