Kansas City Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles Releases Statement On Jovan Belcher Tragedy

Sep 11, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) is congratulated by wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Buffalo won the game 41-7. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Aside from Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel, starting running back Jamaal Charles is one of the members of the Chiefs organization that was hit closest to home following the tragic murder-suicide involving 25-year-old linebacker Jovan Belcher and his 22-year-old girlfriend Kasandra Perkins.

Perkins was a cousin of Charles’ wife and the star running back was the man that introduced her to Belcher before they started dating.

“Our family has suffered a personal tragic loss,” Charles and his wife, Whitney, said in a statement. “Kasandra Perkins was in-fact first cousin to my wife, Whitney. As this is a very tough time for our family, I ask that we are respected as we grieve. Kasandra was not only family, but a friend and a loving mother. As my actual family and my Kansas City Chiefs family have been altered forever, we ask that you keep us and most importantly their child in prayer.

“Thank you all for your continued support.”

There are so many layers to this tragedy that we will never be able to understand, but we can continue to keep all of those affected by the tragedy in our thoughts — especially Belcher and Perkins’ three-month old daughter Zoey — as they try to move past the horrifying events.