Crime & Safety
Jovan Belcher's Mom Sues NFL Team for Wrongful Death
The West Babylon native killed his girlfriend and then himself in December 2012.
The mother of West Babylon native and former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher has filed a wrongful-death suit against the team.
According to the Kansas City Star, the suit charges that Belcher "unknowingly sacrificed his brain" while playing for the Chiefs, and that the team should have known that he suffered brain trauma during his playing career.
Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend at their home before driving to the Chiefs facilities and fatally shooting himself in December 2012.
Belcher's body was exhumed from a Bay Shore cemetery in December at the request of his family to see if he suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
CTE has been found in other former football stars, including Dave Duerson and Junior Seau. Both committed suicide.
The Kansas City Star reported that Belcher did not have a documented history of concussions or other brain injuries, but the lawsuit said the team missed the injuries and also used mental abuse to force him to play through injuries.
Belcher's mother, Cheryl Shepherd, is asking for $15,000 in damages.
The Kansas City Star said the Chiefs had no comment.
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