After the tragic events that occurred surrounding Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Javon Belcher, head coach Romeo Crennel, linebackers coach Gary Gibbs and general manager Scott Pioli, are among a small group of Chiefs who must attend mandatory counseling after witnessing Belcher’s death.
Troy Vincent, the NFL’s vice president of player engagements, informed USA Today the Initial stages of counseling will continue through Monday, with follow-up sessions for individuals and groups scheduled throughout the next three months, or longer if needed.
“We’re always going to say ‘I’m OK, I’m good.’ That’s us. Especially inside of this space, from a coaching standpoint or a player standpoint, it’s, ‘I’m good.’ No, we’re not good,” Vincent said. “Witnessing that kind of event is horrific. It’s not about closing the door, not about being the gladiator, the tough, immortal football player that we’ve always developed into being. This is serious. This is a mental, visual image that we need to talk through, and this is OK.”
The NFL provides counseling and education about a variety of issues including relationships, finances, substance abuse and weapons. However, these preventative services are not mandatory.
“If the individual doesn’t share with us what’ s going on, we don’t know. We have every intention to assist whoever is being affected or is maybe having temporary or long-term challenges,” Vincent said. “We can’t force anybody to do that. We’re not mind readers, and we don’t want to assume. But the services are there.”
