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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Former K.C. fullback Richardson in 'total shock'

By: Jonny Saraceno

Posted: 12/2/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Friends and relatives of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher (inset) grieve outside the player's home in West Babylon, N.Y. Saturday. (FRANK ELTMAN / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher this morning on December 1, 2012, shot and killed his girlfriend before going to Arrowhead Stadium and fatally shooting himself as team personnel tried to stop him, police said. In this September 9, 2012, file photo, Belcher is shown during an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons. (David Eulitt/Kansas City Star/MCT) (TRIBUNE MEDIA MCT)

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�In a small-market (city), people really love their Chiefs players� � former Chiefs fullback Tony Richardson (CP)

TONY Richardson knows what people are thinking right now: Why would Jovan Belcher do this?

The popular former Chiefs fullback, who played 11 seasons for the franchise, also was in "total shock" after hearing the news Saturday morning that the 25-year-old linebacker murdered his girlfriend then committed suicide at the team's practice facility.

"People think how can a young man with the world in front of him, making good money and playing on a national stage, do something like that?" Richardson told USA Today Sports. "But you just don't understand the mental state of what some people are dealing with. It's sad."

Richardson played for the Chiefs from 1995-2005. He finished his career with the New York Jets but still owns a home in Kansas City.

"In a small-market (city), people really love their Chiefs players," he said. "They know everything about every player. It's a big family and a very close-knit community. This was a young man people followed and cheered for. It's devastating."

Rich Gannon, a CBS analyst and former Chiefs quarterback, told USA Today Sports "it has been a difficult year for everybody there" with the team's on-the-field struggles.

"You feel terrible for the victim, for (Belcher), the families, the team, for (Chiefs coach) Romeo (Crennel), (general manager) Scott (Pioli) and (owner) Clark Hunt," Gannon said. "What else can you say? It's just a sad (day)."

-- USA Today

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 2, 2012 B6

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