NFL issues warning after athletes’ homes are burglarized
The NFL has alerted team security directors and the players union about criminals targeting professional athletes’ homes, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The memo sent to all 32 teams stated that organized criminals are increasingly targeting these homes, including the burglaries of Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in early October.
The Athletic’s Diana Russini shared the memo on X.
In it, the NFL specified that ‘law enforcement officials have noted these groups appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes’ homes on game days.’
The memo goes on to detail surveillance and methods of entry, social media recommendations and home security recommendations.
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The NFL states in the memo that ‘burglary groups appear to be gathering information on potential victims through public records, media reports and social media.’
The league recommends players and teams wait until the end of the day to post updates on social media with check-ins or daily activities.
Per NBC News, senior law enforcement officials have confirmed that the FBI is working with local law enforcement agencies to determine if these recent burglaries are connected to a transnational crime ring. Those officials say the investigation is ongoing and subject to change.
A spokesperson for the FBI Office of Public Affairs did not confirm or deny the investigation, citing longstanding Department of Justice policy, according to Pelissero.
Mahomes’ and Kelce’s homes were burglarized on Sunday, Oct. 6, a day before the Chiefs played the New Orleans Saints on ‘Monday Night Football.’
Belton, Missouri police reportedly were called to Mahomes’ residence after a member of his security team called in the incident. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office stated the investigation is ongoing but characterized the incident as ‘Burglary/Breaking & Entering,’ per police documents obtained by The Kansas City Star.
‘Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing,’ Mahomes said last week. ‘I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing. But obviously it’s something that you don’t want to happen to, really anybody, but obviously yourself.’
Kelce’s home was broken into shortly after kickoff on ‘Monday Night Football’ on Oct. 7. Documents show that $20,000 was taken from his home and the back door was damaged.
