Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel never had to convene a team meeting like this before. Less than two hours after Crennel witnessed linebacker Jovan Belcher take his own life, Crennel addressed his team for a previously scheduled session.
"It was obviously tough for coach to have to tell us that," Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn told The Kansas City Star. "He really wasn't able to finish talking to us. We got together and prayed and then we moved on."
Crennel relayed the shocking, horrifying events of the morning. The news left the team stunned.
"I think everyone is just so shocked at what had taken place, being who it was and being what had happened," Quinn said. "I think people are still trying to digest everything, let alone think about playing a game. It's tough to put into words.
"It's hard mostly because I keep thinking about what I could have done to stop this. I think everyone is wondering whether we would have done something to prevent this from happening. And then we're all thinking about his daughter, three or four months old and without a parent. It's hard to not allow the emotions of the situation to creep into your head with the game this close. But we're going to do the best we can to concentrate on the task at hand."
Quinn said the players already have started thinking about what they can do next to help.
"The big thing is (Belcher's) daughter," Quinn said. "I know a bunch of the guys are going to try to set up a fund to try to take care of his daughter. Her parents are not in her life anymore."
