The NFL’s urgent security warning comes after the homes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized by criminals believed to be part of an organized syndicate.
At a Glance
- NFL warns players about a “transnational crime ring” targeting their homes.
- The FBI suspects involvement of a South American crime syndicate.
- The syndicate targets NBA and NFL players, tracking them via schedules and social media.
- Players are advised to enhance security and limit social media postings.
An Organized Threat
The NFL issued a strong warning to players following burglaries at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. A potential South American crime syndicate is believed to be behind these break-ins. The perpetrators have targeted athletes through meticulous planning, using public records and social media to find addresses and surveil homes. They strike when homes are guaranteed empty, such as during games.
The FBI’s involvement underscores the seriousness of these incidents, which align with a larger pattern of burglaries across multiple sports leagues. The league alerts teams and players about heightened risks to their properties by skilled crime groups.
The NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union on Thursday following recent burglaries involving the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.https://t.co/LvBo3YHd5j
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2024
Implications for Athletes
Burglaries have also affected players like Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis and Timberwolves’ Mike Conley Jr., pointing to the widespread reach of this crime network. Organized crime rings infiltrate communities, often posing as delivery personnel or joggers, to survey their targets before carefully planning heists. The burglars have favored breaking into homes through less obvious points of entry, such as side doors and second-floor windows.
“Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood.” – FBI
The NFL recommends that players boost their home security with advanced systems, avoid flaunting valuable items on social media, and arrange for someone to watch over their homes when they are away. This advisory serves as a cautionary reminder of the vulnerabilities posed by the public nature of athletes’ professional and personal lives.
The NFL issued a security alert to teams after Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s homes were burglarized https://t.co/GIJdXTdGUY
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 21, 2024
Ongoing Investigation
The burglaries of Mahomes’ and Kelce’s homes, which took place during a game against the New Orleans Saints, show how the criminals capitalize on the athletes’ professional commitments. This incident is part of an alleged broader scheme aimed at various major sports figures. Football star Patrick Mahomes has expressed his frustration and disappointment over the intrusion, acknowledging the ongoing investigation but refraining from divulging specifics.
“Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing. 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.” – Patrick Mahomes
Proactive measures are crucial as these incidents highlight the need for heightened awareness and security among high-profile individuals. The NFL, the FBI, and other concerned bodies continue to monitor and counteract these threats to ensure the safety of their personnel.
