A second suicide-related tragedy has occurred in the NFL this weekend: Multiple news agencies are reporting that an employee of the NFL Cleveland Browns took his own life yesterday at the team’s practice facility in Berea, Ohio. He reportedly worked on the grounds crew for the team. According to the Bleacher Report , he hung himself in the equipment shed.
The Akron Beacon Journal reports that the Browns’ employee suicide broke nationally today on Fox:
“Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer first reported the incident on Fox’s NFL Sunday pregame show. Glazer said the incident occurred Saturday, right around the same time Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot his girlfriend at a residence and then himself at the Chiefs’ facility.”
According to NFL.com , the man who killed himself has been identified as assistant groundskeeper Eric Eucker. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office was called to the training facility in Berea on Saturday to investigate a possible suicide according to ESPN .
The Cleveland Browns issued the following statement about the suicide:
“This is a terrible tragedy and our heartfelt condolences go out to Eric’s family. Eric was a good friend and colleague, and an outstanding employee. He will be missed by everyone in the Cleveland Browns organization.”
Cleveland is in Oakland today to play the Raiders and had already left for northern California when the man was found dead.
Breaking News: Cuyahoga County Coroner confirms an employee with the Cleveland Browns hanged himself inside a Browns storage shed…
— WEWS NewsChannel5 (@WEWS) December 2, 2012