Celebrities and NFL stars are speaking out after the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade.
The Kansas City police department confirmed on Wednesday, February 14, that one parade attendee had died and at least 10 other people were gravely injured during the parade.
The Missouri football team was celebrating their Sunday, February 11, victory over the San Francisco 49ers when shots were fired. Law enforcement officials had apprehended two suspects and taken them into custody. An investigation is ongoing.
The Chiefs’ players, coaches and staff were all accounted for and taken to safety, as were both the governors of Missouri and Kansas.
“At the end of the Chiefs rally, shots were fired near Union Station. I have been evacuated and am out of harm’s way,” Laura Kelly, the governor of Kansas, wrote in an X statement. “I encourage everyone to follow instructions and updates from @kcpolice. Please stay safe.”
Keep scrolling for all the stars and pro athletes’ reactions to the tragedy:
Patrick Mahomes
The Chiefs quarterback, who spoke at the rally less than an hour before shots were first, noted via X that he is “praying for Kansas City 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽.”
Travis Kelce
“I am heartbroken over the tragedy that took place today,” the Chiefs tight end wrote via X. “My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected. KC, you mean the world to me.
Brittany Mahomes
Patrick’s wife was also in attendance at the parade. “Shooting people is never the answer,” she wrote via Instagram Story. “Praying for Kansas City & America in general, this is rough.”
Brittany noted in a follow-up post that she was “highly embarrassed and disappointed” by the situation.
“Super Bowl wins will never be the same because of this, it’s devastating,” she added. “Lives lost and people injured during something that was suppose [sic] to be a celebration. Horrible and traumatizing. So many prayers going to the families involved.”
Mecole Hardman Jr.
The Chiefs wide receiver, who scored the winning touchdown at Super Bowl LVIII, sent his condolences to his city. “Prayers Kansas City,” he wrote via X with a red heart emoji.
Flavor Flav
“Today should be a day of celebrationz [sic] and joy, instead it has turned into a day of shock sorrow and sadness,” the rapper, who has been a vocal supporter of tight end Travis Kelce dating Taylor Swift, wrote on X. “My deepest sympathies to the victims and families of today’s tragedy and the entire community of Kansas City.”
Robert Griffin III
The retired quarterback paid tribute to the victims via X.
“Kids can’t go to school. Believers can’t go to church. Families can’t go to the grocery store. Friends can’t go to a concert,” he penned on Wednesday. “And now fans can’t go to a SUPER BOWL PARADE without the real fear of being a part of a mass shooting in America. WHAT ARE WE DOING?”
Drue Tranquill
“Please join me in prayer for all the victims in this heinous act. Pray that doctors & first responders would have steady hands & that all would experience full healing,” the Chiefs linebacker wrote on X.
Donovan Smith
“Praying for everyone today in Kansas City 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾,” the Chiefs offensive tackle tweeted.
Justin Reid
Reid, a safety on the Chiefs, sent his condolences via X, writing, “Praying for everyone in Kansas City at the parade.”
Chariah Gordon
Gordon, the girlfriend of Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., noted via her Instagram Story that “we are OK.”
Steven Van Zandt
“Heartbreaking tragedy in Kansas City. Nowhere is safe anymore. Republicans and the Gun Lobby are limiting our freedom more and more every day,” the E Street Band member wrote on X. “Until Buckley/Valeo is reversed and money is eliminated from our corrupt electoral system, there will be less and less quality of life.”
Los Angeles Chargers
“Rivals on game day, off the field we’re in this together — the AFC West, the National Football League, the United States of America,” the team’s official social media wrote on February 14. “Today a senseless act of violence has forever altered the lives of so many. And for what? While words can ring hollow in moments such as these, they can also bring comfort. Today we stand with Chiefs Kingdom, and our hearts go out to the victims, their friends, family, and every member of the greater Kansas City community affected by this tragedy.”
Cleveland Cavaliers
The NBA team held a moment of silence for Kansas City ahead of their February 14 game against the Chicago Bulls, prior to singing the National Anthem.
Joe Biden
“Kansas City. D.C. Atlanta,” the president wrote via X on Wednesday. “Today, six years since Parkland, acts of gun violence cut deep in the American soul. Jill and I pray for those killed and injured today, and for our country to find the resolve to end the senseless epidemic of gun violence tearing us at the seams.”
In a second statement, Biden wondered “how many more families need to be torn apart” by mass shootings.
Trey Smith
“My thoughts and prayers🙏🏾 are with everyone affected by today’s incidents—a huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger. You’re the ones who should be celebrated today,” the Chiefs guard noted via social media.
Smith later appeared on Good Morning America to recount his experience, noting, “I’m pretty angry. Due to senseless violence, someone lost their life. … Children are injured. Children are traumatized. I’m hurting for, one, the families of the people who got impacted, [and two,] the city of Kansas City.”
Creed Humphrey
Humphrey reposted Smith’s statement via X, adding, “Praying for everyone involved.”
Sauce Gardner
The New York Jets athlete sent condolences via X, writing, “Prayers up for Kansas City and the rest of the world because so many things can be avoided everyday🙏🏾.”
Taylor Twellman
“If you argue against the regulation of fire arms after seeing 10 people shot at a #SuperBowl parade, then get your brain checked to see if it works. And while you are at it, check the heart too,” the retired soccer pro wrote via X. “Disgraceful. Imagine when the World Cup is here why would a visitor feel safe?!”
Kurt Warner
The former quarterback issued a passionate social media statement, writing, “I’m SICK of guns AND I’m SICK knowing families go home to a lost loved one again today bc of a senseless shooting AND I’m SICKENED by the SICK ppl that use them to shoot other people!!! #WhatAreWeDoing.”
Bradley Whitford
The West Wing alum reposted several calls to action for gun reform via X, later stating, “Imagine bragging about doing nothing about the number one cause of death of children. And then calling yourself ‘pro-life.'”
Philadelphia Eagles and More NFL Teams
“Our hearts ache for the victims, their families, the people of Kansas City, and the Chiefs organization,” read a statement from the Eagles on Wednesday. “We are grateful for law enforcement, first responders, and all who acted swiftly in the face of danger to support others.”
Several NFL teams — including the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings — shared similar messages.
