DEVELOPING: tOSU's Karageorge Found Dead

((HT: NBC4i.com, WCMH-TV/Columbus))

Columbus, Ohio police have confirmed that the body found near Ohio State University this afternoon was that of walk-on senior lineman Kosta Karageorge. He had been missing since the early morning hours Wednesday and was last known to have sent a disturbing message to his family about how concussions have impacted his time on campus.

Susan Karageorge told NBC4 her son sent her the following text: "Sorry if I am an embarrassment, but these concussions have my head all (expletive) up."

11Warriors reports that Columbus PD Sgt. Rich Weiner said Karageorge died from what's believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Karageorge was honored along with his fellow seniors on game day at The Horseshoe
NBC4: Columbus, Ohio News, Weather, and Sports (WCMH-TV)

Karageorge's body was found less than half-a-mile from his apartment.

More when we know more...

OHL Starts Mental Health Program For 2014 Season

((HT: Global Toronto))

After the suicide of junior league hockey player Terry Trafford last season, the Ontario Hockey League decided in the off-season to pair with the Canadian Mental Health Association have paired to start a program where teams get a mental health coach for counseling, training on recognizing signs of suicide and depression and appointing so-called “mental health champions” to talk to the public about what the OHL is doing.

As part of the #TalkToday effort, OHL Commissioner David Branch said: “We view the importance of this subject matter, given the terrible tragedy that we all faced, that we had to maybe step up our efforts in this area and provide a more focused area of support. No question, the tragedy of Terry’s death only served to say we must move forward and provide greater support in educating our players and everyone else involved about the signs of suicide and how we can help make a difference.”

Here's Leslie Roberts with Trafford's dad talking about the initiative


According to numbers released by the CMHA, suicide is the second-leading cause of death in young Canadians behind accidents and is responsible for a quarter of deaths among 18-to-24-year-olds nationwide. 3.2 million teenagers from the ages of 12 to 19 are at risk of developing depression.

The HQ hopes this helps...

Robin Williams On Golf

((HT: Youtube/HBO))

The news is sudden and shocking that Robin Williams has committed suicide at the age of 63

As an homage, the HQ has figured the best way to tip our hat to an amazing talent is to bring you one of his funniest routines

How golf was invented

Terry Trafford Autopsy Results Released (UPDATED)

((HT: WNEM-TV))

And it appears to be self-inflicted asphyxiation...

The Saginaw Spirit winger was found in a Wal-mart parking lot in an SUV a week after being reported missing by his club...

Trafford had been suspended for disciplinary reasons that were reportedly partying too much on a road trip. The fourth-year player on the Spirit roster had only suspended by the team and not released, but Trafford apparently told his girlfriend that he wanted to end it all in a communication with her before he went missing...

Here's the latest from Saginaw...
WNEM TV 5

The Spirit postponed their mid-week game in the Ontario Hockey League so the team and its players could mourn Trafford's death...

FRIDAY UPDATE: Trafford will have a Tuesday funeral in his home town of Toronto with visitation Sunday and Monday. Spirit team president Craig Goslin says the team will visit Sunday.

The Ontario Hockey League team says its home game with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds that was postponed from Wednesday because of Trafford’s death will take place Monday, ending its regular season.

Saginaw visits SSM on Friday and hosts the London Knights Saturday.

DEVELOPING: Terry Trafford Found Dead

((HT: Sportsnet))

Saginaw, Michigan police found the body of junior hockey player Terry Trafford in an SUV in a Wal-Mart parking lot early Tuesday afternoon. He had been missing since last Monday after being suspended from the Saginaw Spirit for a violation of team rules.

Jessica Shepherd of the Saginaw News caught up with a woman who claimed she dated Trafford since 2010- when they were in high school together in town:

Trafford's girlfriend, Skye Cieszlak, said Trafford sent her a message stating "his life was over and that he didn't want to do it anymore" on Sunday, March 2. Cieszlak said Trafford was "devastated" after the Spirit sent him home because of rule violations.

She told WNEM-TV that Trafford was devastated that "the team didn't want him back." She also said that Trafford was sent home from a road trip for partying too much...

The Spirit released a statement on their own:

Our deepest condolences are with Terry’s family and his friends both in Ontario and Michigan. Terry played on our team and was a member of the Spirit family for the last four years and he will be missed.

We have reached out to Terry’s parents and will look to provide them with support over the coming days. In addition, we met with team players and staff this evening, along with our Team Chaplain.

On behalf of the Spirit we would like to thank the police who were looking for Terry, the media for providing updates and all who provided information. The coming days will be difficult and we will endeavor to keep the community and media apprised of arrangements and other details.

Here's the story before Trafford was found
((HT: WNEM-TV))
WNEM TV 5

Seeberg Family Goes Public After Shembo Comments

((HT: Chicago Tribune/Lighty and Campbell))

Prince Shembo came forward at the NFL Combine saying he was the unnamed Notre Dame player accused of attacking Lizzy Seeberg in 2010 before she eventually committed suicide. Lizzy's parents knew it was Shembo, but since he was never charged the name never was released as part of the process.

Lizzy Seeberg typed a statement to police after their meeting August 31, 2010 in Shembo's room- a place where she didn't feel safe.

From the Tribune:

Seeberg then described how she cried and her body froze as the alleged attack ensued. Her allegations did not describe penetration; the campus police log listed the complaint as an alleged sexual battery. She said Shembo licked her breast. The incident ended when the player's cellphone distracted him, Seeberg said.

On Sept. 2 she received a text message from one of Shembo's friends, telling her, "Don't do anything you would regret. Messing with notre dame football is a bad idea."

She killed herself Sept. 10, overdosing on prescription medication.

Notre Dame conducted an investigation- not interviewing Shembo until five days after Seeberg's suicide. Shembo's attorney maintains the incident was consensual.

Chicago Tribune Deputy Metro editor Mark Jacob talks with Lighty about Shembo coming forward, having Lizzy Seeberg's father talk about the case (or the lack of one going forward) and any possible repercussions...


The biggest stink the HQ sees in this- among many of them- is that no one from the university has even addressed any remorse over the Seeberg suicide and the family's feelings in the matter...

Pair this with the death of the GA in high winds and there's too much to say about how a big business in a small town rules the town... and that will never change...

Mizzou Finally Looking Into 2010 Rape Allegations

((HT: KOMU-TV))

The University of Missouri system will now look into allegations centering around a 2010 sexual assault of swimmer Sasha Menu Courey- possibly by one or more members of the football team at the time...

System President Tim Wolfe released a statement after an ESPN report that said in part:

"In light of the ESPN "Outside The Lines" report that questioned the response of our Columbia campus to an alleged sexual assault of a former MU student athlete who also suffered from severe mental illness, I want to address the questions raised with all of you and ask for your immediate assistance and support. I am asking the board of curators to hire outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation of MU's handling of matters related to Ms. Courey."

OTL published a story that claims the university did not tell law enforcement about the alleged rape of Courey despite administrators finding out about the alleged incident more than a year ago.

Menu Courey committed suicide in 2011.
Here's the local coverage...

In addition to any retroactive investigating by state officials on any possible negligence in not pursuing the Courey case, the Missouri system could also face an inquiry by the Office of Civil Rights...

And the HQ is looking forward to this investigation...

Belcher Body To Be Exhumed, Brain Examined

((HT: Kansas City Star/Mellinger))

Did Jovan Belcher suffer from CTE...???

That will be the question that will be attempted to be answered after Belcher's body is exhumed from a New York cemetery and his brain examined in, what is thought to be, the first exhumation of an NFL player to determine a possible cause in his physical issues that he had close to his suicide almost a year ago.

Belcher shot his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, December 1, 2012 and then drove to the Chiefs complex where he committed suicide in front of then-GM Scott Pioli...

Here's Pioli discussing Belcher during Super Bowl week...
((HT: Dan Patrick Show))


Belcher was stopped earlier in the morning of the murder-suicideon a traffic stop


Here are police arriving at the scene-moments later, Belcher killed himself...


Belcher's family, simply wants to know and this may help in the process. Perkins' family doesn't think this will solve anything...

Dick Trickle Takes His Own Life

We don't know if we'd call former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle a legend, but he was well known within the sport.

And at the age of 71, Trickle took his own life Thursday afternoon in Lincoln County, North Carolina, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Trickle never won a NASCAR Sprint Cup race and arguably he would be considered the forerunner of what are now considered "Field Fillers" or what we call "Racing Jobbers". He did win the sports "Rookie of the Year" title in 1989.

That's where our path briefly crossed Trickle's when we were early in our career as a Producer/Photographer. We did a  1989 feature story on him while at the Martinsville Speedway and he was gracious, funny, self-depracating and very aware of his place in the sport.

And no, he was not--at least that anyone will admit...the insipiration for the Cole Trickle character in the movie "Days of Thunder".

OSG Sports passes its condolences to the Trickle family and the sport of NASCAR, one of the good guys is now gone.

Here's some video of Trickle from what now is considered a bygone era, 1990, with Trickle lighting up a cigarette while in the middle of a race:

Police release Jovan Belcher autopsy reports

Belcher and Perkins, and Baby Zoey (photo courtesy KCTV)

KANSAS CITY - On Monday, officials released the autopsy reports surrounding the murder suicide of Kasandra Perkins and Kansas City linebacker Jovan Belcher.

The Jackson County Medical Examiner said first, in the released reports, that Belcher shot Perkins nine times. The troubled NFL star shot his girlfriend/mother of his child in the neck, chest, abdomen, hip, back, leg and hand. The hand wound was the only one considered to be done at close range. Bullets perforated her liver, kidney, and spleen and struck and traveled through parts of her backbone.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/01/14/4010286/autopsy-belcher-was-drunk-when.html#storylink=cpy

In a not-so-surprising twist, Belcher was also declared legally intoxicated at the time of the shooting. According to the Kansas City Star, the results show Belcher’s blood-alcohol level was .17 when he died, which is more than twice the legal driving limit in Kansas. Belcher died from a single gunshot would to his right temple, according to the report.

The report also shows both Perkins and Belcher tested negative for illegal drugs.

Here are the early returns:


The police report officially says Belcher shot Perkins at her home on December 1, and then drove to Arrowhead Stadium - where Belcher shot and killed himself in front of GM Scott Pioli, head coach Romeo Crennel, and defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs.

Police also released the fact that Belcher threatened to shoot Perkins earlier in 2012. His daughter, Zoey, born in September 2012, and is currently in the custody of Perkins' mother. However, Belcher's family has now entered into a legal fight for custody of Zoey. A Fort Worth judge has scheduled a Jan. 22 hearing in the custody lawsuit.

Belcher Report Reveals Previous Problems

((HT: KSHB-TV Kansas City))

There's more disturbing news in the Jovan Belcher case...

The short version is the police investigation has been released and it details the idea that Belcher texted a "secret" girlfriend saying he would kill Kasandra Perkins, the mother of his child, if she wouldn't leave him alone...

Also, the day of Belcher's suicide and the murder of Perkins are detailed in affidavits from Chiefs GM Scott Pioli- and it's not pretty...

Here's the report on the report...

Sad...

That's the only word that comes immediately to mind... in a really bad season that spiraled even further down- if that's even possible...

Dashcam Released In Belcher Murder-Suicide

((HT: KSHB-TV))

We get to add a little more depth to the Jovan Belcher story on the morning of the murder-suicide that rocked Kansas City a week ago...

Belcher was, apparently, found by police sleeping in his car and was told by an officer upon discovery that they were going to "cut him a break..."

That discussion is hyah...

We all know what happened later in the day...

Here's the story...
And the dashcam video itself from the KCPD of the arrival at Arrowhead...

911 Tapes Released In Belcher Shooting

((HT: KSHB-TV))

Admittedly, the HQ is a bit squeamish when doing stories like this...

But in the advancing of the Jovan Belcher murder-suicide from the weekend, the 911 tapes have been released from the time that Kasandra Perkins' mother called authorities to alert them of the situation...

Here's the story...

After the shooting at the house, Belcher went to Chiefs headquarters where he would take his own life in front of his head coach and General Manager...

DEVELOPING: NFL player kills girlfriend, then commits suicide (UPDATED Plus SUNDAY UPDATE)

Police on scene of first shooting (photo courtesy: KCTV)

KANSAS CITY -- According to the Kansas City Star and KCTV, police are investing a double fatal shooting that involves a Kansas City Chiefs player and his girlfriend.

Police reports say the first shooting happened around 8am, where officers say the player shot and killed his girlfriend in a house near 54th Street and Chrysler Avenue. Moments later, the player drove himself to the Chiefs' practice facility where officers say he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

A police spokesman said coaches arrived at the practice facility before the second shooting and talked with the player briefly before he committed suicide.

The player's name has yet to be released, and the identity of the girlfriend is being held until notification of next of kin.

Officials believe the Chiefs' front office will release a statement shortly in reference to this shooting. Police locked down Arrowhead Stadium and surrounding buildings for about an hour until they could determine what actually happened and that everyone in the area was safe.

Stay tuned to OSG Sports for more on this developing story.

1100 UPDATE: According to the "Save Our Chiefs" Facebook page, According to the Police Chief in KC, the player shot himself in front of "a couple coaches" and police. The Chiefs, Panthers and NFL are in discussions regarding the game the tomorrow. A decision will be made today regarding game status.

Here's the statement from the Chiefs: "We can confirm that there was an incident at Arrowhead earlier this morning. We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation.”

More when we know more...

1107: CBSSports Jason LaCanfora is reporting the Chiefs player to be Jovan Belcher

1110: According to Kansas City radio personality Danny Parkins, The player apparently was confronted w/coaches in the parking lot before he put the gun to his head and committed suicide

1125: Kevin Kietzman of Sports Radio 810 tweet confirms that Belcher is player involved in double shooting.

1145: From Albert Breer at NFL Network

Just got off phone w/the KCPD. Spokesman said PD the girl's mother called them, her daughter had been shot by her "on-again, off-again bf"

That call was at 7:50 CT. Police called to Arrowhead at 8:10. They found Chiefs staffers, and the player w/a gun to his head in parking lot.

As the officer got out of his car, he heard a gunshot. Player was taken to local hospital, pronounced dead

1150: From LaCanfora again

KCPD Officer Darin Snapp confirms GM Scott Pioli and Coach Romeo Crennel were outside team facility at the time Chiefs player killed himself

KCPD say the player thanked both men before taking his life, and that Pioli and Crennel did not feel threatened. KCPD not revealing identity

of the player yet to allow time for family notification but team sources say it was LB Jovan Belcher, as reported.

Here's early reports and interviews from our friends at KCTV
KCTV5

1600: KMBC-TV is reporting the name of the deceased- 22 year-old Kasandra Perkins-

KMBC-TV correspondent Diane Cho is reporting that Perkins and Belcher got into an argument because Perkins apparently got home late from a concert Friday night in Kansas City.

SUNDAY UPDATE: Apparently, Perkins and Whitney Charles- the wife of Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles were cousins... here's more on Perkins from KSHB-TV
((HT: NBCActionNews.com))
Isaac Rauch, over at Deadspin, has published a piece involving an individual claiming to be close to Belcher.

This source is telling Rauch that Belcher's relationship with Perkins was one of two people who were "young and immature." The fight over the concert Perkins attended was only part of the dynamic and not the last straw. Belcher, allegedly, was balancing medication, alcohol, and occasional short-term memory loss from his playing time.

The November 18th game the Chiefs played against Cincinnati as a game that Belcher took direct contact to the head on more than one occasion- according to Rauch's source. Coaches held Belcher out of most of the Broncos game the following weekend since he was more of a run-stopper playing against a passing offense.

But, now we may have more of an idea on the "why." And if it is accurate, then the story compounded is even more sad.

Titans Murdock Dead In Apparent Suicide

((HT: WTSP-TV Tampa))

Tampa police are investigating the apparent suicide of Tennessee Titans wide receiver OJ Murdock...

He was found early this morning in his car which was parked in front of Middleton High School in his home town.

Murdock's college career was checkered with time spent at South Carolina and Marshall before being a Division II standout at Fort Hays ((KS)) State. He was not at Titans camp as he was on the Reserve/Not Reported List...

The Titans released the following statement...

"We are shocked and saddened to hear of O.J. Murdock's death this morning. In his brief time here, a number of our players, coaches and staff had grown close to O.J., and this is a difficult time for them. He spent the last year battling back from an Achilles injury as he prepared for this year's training camp. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they try to cope with this tragedy."

Here's the breaker...

More when we know more...

Clint Malarchuk's Story Of Survival

((HT: Sportsnet))

A lot of folks the HQ's age remember one of the most gruesome accidents on the ice- when then-Buffalo Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk took a skate to his carotid artery...

It's been a long road since...
And the road is still long for him...

BREAKING: Coroner Rules Seau Death A Suicide

The North County Times newspaper is also saying that The San Diego Medical Examiner's office was awaiting a decision from Seau's family on whether independent researchers will study his brain for repetitive injuries following the completion of the autopsy.

Officials could not determine Seau's exact time of death, but did say his passing was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest...

Seau's family and religious leaders were expected to hold an evening prayer vigil in front of his beachfront home in Oceanside, California.

If the family gave permission, look for the Boston University brain trauma center to get in on the case to determine if Seau's brain had indications of CTE.

Here's coverage from our friends at NBCSanDiego

View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com.

More when we know more...

BREAKING: Junior Seau Dead, Cops Suspect Suicide (UPDATE: No Suicide Note On Scene)

From TMZ and OSG sources in Los Angeles, former NFL linebacker Junior Seau was found dead at his home. Police are suspecting a suicide in the incident...

According to TMZ, a 9-1-1 call came in around 10AM local time this morning and the North County Times newspaper is saying that Seau's body was discovered by his housekeeper...

From TMZ:

We're told Seau sent text messages to his ex-wife and 3 kids yesterday saying, "Love you." We're told they all responded and didn't suspect anything was wrong. We're told he last saw his kids 3 weeks ago.

Sources close to Seau tell us family members didn't notice any signs of depression in recent weeks.

More when we know more...

1440 UPDATE: The North County Times is also now reporting that it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest...

The HQ has a sinking feeling that this is the Dave Duerson situation all over again...

1515 UPDATE: The Spanos family released a statement:

“Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now. We ask everyone to stop what they’re doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with the Seau family."

1530 UPDATE: A press conference was held in Oceanside in front of the Seau home.

Seau's mom, Luisa, was first to address the media- obviously, overcome...
"I pray to god," she screamed. "Please, take me leave my son. But it's too late..."

Oceanside PD Police Chief Frank McCoy followed with the play-by-play that it was Seau's girlfriend was the one who called 9-1-1 and that the shooting is investigated as a suicide.

Here's early aerials from the scene in Oceanside...
((HT: NBCSanDiego))

View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com.

1640 UPDATE: Lt. Leonard Mata of the Oceanside Police Department divulged that there was no suicide note left inside the Seau home. Mata also said that Seau's girlfriend went to the gym at 7:45 local time, returned, and then discovered the body on site. The name of the girlfriend is not going to be released, and there is no indication of foul play in the death.