Kansas City Chiefs players were able to get away from the scene of a mass shooting following their Super Bowl victory parade – with some in particular being a calming presence in the midst of the tragedy.
According to NFL insider Albert Breer, offensive linemen Trey Smith and Austin Reiter and backup quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Chris Oladukun all helped to try and calm down panicked children.
In particular, Smith ‘went to one upset kid, gave him the WWE title belt and sat with him til he calmed down.’
After the shooting, the Chiefs released a statement saying, ‘We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today’s parade and rally. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all of Kansas City.
‘We are in close communication with the Mayor’s office as well as the Kansas City Police Department.
‘At this time, we have confirmed that all of our players, coaches, staff and their families are safe and accounted for.
‘We thank the local law enforcement officers and first responders who were on-scene to assist.’
At least one person has been killed and 22 others have been injured in the horror shooting that unfolded shortly after 3:30pm Wednesday just moments after the team – including Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes – left the stage.
Terrifying footage captured the frantic aftermath of the shooting as panicked fans ran for their lives. Groups of fans were seen heroically tackling an armed man to the ground and police said two gunmen were detained, although their identities remain unclear.
Unconfirmed reports indicate multiple children may also have been gunned down in the tragic celebration, and were rushed to nearby Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Kansas City Fire reportedly said that of those injured, five were ‘serious’, three were ‘critical’, and one person has non-life-threatening injuries.
