Belcher and Crennel’s agent shocked by tragedy
Joe Linta, the agent of both Jovan Belcher and Romeo Crennel, spoke to the media Saturday afternoon with a heavy heart. Belcher, the Kansas City Chiefs player, killed himself Saturday morning at Arrowhead Stadium while his coach, Crennel, watched. Linta spoke of Belcher as a loving father and boyfriend, and was in disbelief over the harrowing reports.
“Jovan was a happy, proud father, with pictures of his baby on his Facebook page,” Linta said. “This is shocking. Something went crazy wrong, and we’ll probably never know what it is.”
As Sports Illustrated reports, Kansas City police are still investigating the case, which they believe to be a murder-suicide. Belcher’s girlfriend and mother of his 3-month-old daughter, Kasandra Perkins, was shot several times and died in the home that the couple shared. According to police, when Belcher was confronted by Crennel and Chiefs general manager, Scott Pioli, he thanked the pair before turning the gun on himself.
Linta had been Belcher’s agent for several years, ever since the beginning of Belcher’s improbable career with the Chiefs. Belcher worked hard for a spot on the team as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Maine. Linta is known for signing players that are long-shots, but also players that are upstanding people. He spoke of Belcher’s work in youth clinics and how he was a genuinely kind person.
“I never take on anyone as a client I wouldn’t be proud to take home and spend time with my wife and kids,” Linta said. “Jovan was one of those type of people,” said Linta. He continued, “there’s no word for this other than shocking. That’s all I can think of.”
He also noted that he has yet to talk to Crennel, but he is fairly sure how he’ll respond if word comes that Sunday’s game between the Chiefs and Carolina Panthers goes on as planned.
“Life doesn’t hand you roses all the time,” Linta said. “But Romeo is a salt-of-the-earth kind of person who will rely on his faith and his determination to do what he has to do, to do what’s right. He will know what to say to his team, because he always knows what to say.”
The Chiefs will play Carolina on Sunday, and they will hold a moment of silence before the game in honor of victims of domestic violence.
