Welcome to athlete worship run amok. As Twitchy has reported all weekend, the coverage of Kansas City Chief star Jovan Belcher’s murder/suicide has been marred by moral equivalence and sympathy for the athlete, who reportedly killed his girlfriend (and mother of his two-month-old baby) before turning the gun on himself. While the team made a token effort to honor domestic violence victims at its game today against the Carolina Panthers, fans embarrassed themselves by showing off “RIP #59” signs and deifying Belcher.
https://twitter.com/GOPfashionista/status/275353563121725440
http://t.co/rwrh5NE7 heavy on my mind today RIP Jovan 12/1/12 #belcher #59 #jovan #jovanbelcher #kc #kansascity #chiefs
— Stephanie Boccuzzo (@babyphat4690) December 2, 2012
Belcher's locker before the game #59 #RIP pic.twitter.com/JFiRUDrv
— UnclePhill (@UnclePhill15) December 2, 2012
Using this Kansas City Chiefs Cup in memory of my cousin #JovanBelcher #59 #RIP #RIP.K we love yall! :'( http://t.co/eveeL5a7
— Crown me KING12.04 (@itsKingJames_yo) December 2, 2012
Touchdown! #DothisforBelcher #Rip #59
— Kaitlyn Jennings (@kaitjennings08) December 2, 2012
I can only imagine how hard it will be for any Chief player to play today. Very tragic event for all. RIP Jovan Belcher, never forgotten #59
— Vince Murphy (@Murphh7) December 2, 2012
A Twitter user at the game noted that Chiefs players kneeled in the end zone — and the purpose was ambiguous enough that at least a few clear-headed fans in attendance expressed their dismay.
“@skipoliva: @PaulD_Anderson What's the crowd like today?” Business as usual. Heard a few boos when Chiefs' players took a knee in end zone.
— Paul D. Anderson (@PaulD_Anderson) December 2, 2012
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All the Chiefs took a knee in the end zone. pic.twitter.com/ekNYMJ0F
— Paul D. Anderson (@PaulD_Anderson) December 2, 2012
Thankfully, not everyone was emptying their Kleenex boxes over Belcher:
So sick of seeing rip #59 on twitter and facebook. Rip Kassandra, no love or sympathy for a murderer no matter how nice beforehand
— Josh Hall (@KG_Cocidius) December 2, 2012
KC fans: Maybe don't hold #59 signs. Zoe isn't an orphan because of a car wreck. Her father murdered her mother and then killed himself.
— This Unprecedented Ryan (@rstandefer) December 2, 2012
https://twitter.com/ColtonSullens/status/275361286047547392
The images from the chiefs game are an embarrassment to sports fans, really RIP 59 and "tragic loss #59" signs? He.murdered.his.wife.
— mac harris (@macwharris) December 2, 2012
Remember the real victims:
I will never forget about you. My best friend, my Childers godmother. MY SOUL SISTER! ILY Kasandra Michelle Perkins. pic.twitter.com/i2J47lF0
— Monica Phillips (@MoniBaddBlasian) December 2, 2012
RIP Kasandra Michelle Perkins
— Rhoda Fordjour (@RhodaFordjour) December 2, 2012
May your soul rest in peace Kasandra Perkins. #RIP
— Lona (@lona_michelle) December 2, 2012
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Related:
Kansas City Chief Jovan Belcher reportedly shot his girlfriend then committed suicide
Eek: Kansas City Chiefs’ Twitter account tweets ‘Panther crunch’ photo in wake of tragic shooting
‘Jovan Belcher’ Twitter account raising money for his daughter is reportedly a fake
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