Chiefs Address Super Bowl Parade Shooting Like The Champions They Are

INDIANAPOLIS – Hours after the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade claimed the life of one person and left scores of others wounded, President Joe Biden released a statement imploring Americans to take action.

"Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting. What are we waiting for? Biden said in part of his statement released Feb. 14. "What else do we need to see? How many more families need to be torn apart? It is time to act. That’s where I stand.

"And I ask the country to stand with me. To make your voice heard in Congress so we finally act to ban assault weapons, to limit high-capacity magazines, strengthen background checks, keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning them or handling them."

Andy Reid Calls For More Love

So the President used the shooting as an opportunity to make political points. And he asked folks to go along with him.

The Kansas City Chiefs are not going along with him, best I can tell.

Coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach spoke for the first time since that parade tragedy on Tuesday. They both stood in front of dozens of local and national reporters at the NFL combine.

And neither went the "ban assault weapons" route. Or the limit magazine capacity route.

In fact, Reid included a sincere shoutout to the first responders that ran toward the crisis that day. So he might have just disappointed the defund the police crowd.

"Alright before we get started, I just want to put a shoutout to the Galvan and Lopez family for their loss with Lisa and for the people of Kansas City," Reid said, referring to victim Lisa Lopez-Galvan who was killed at the age of 43. "She was a personality there and a very good human being, first of all, and we’ll all miss her as I know her family will. 

"A positive word on Kansas City: That’s not what Kansas City is all about and for our youth of America that we gather together and make this – it’s great you’re our future and as great as we can make this place, we want to do that. We can turn this – which was a negative into a real positive. 

"With just a little togetherness and love, I think we can fix a lot of problems here."

So Biden wants fewer guns. Reid wants more love. 

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 08: Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid exits the field after defeating the Denver Broncos 28-24 at Empower Field At Mile High on January 08, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

Reid Praises First Responders

And this:

"The law enforcement folks were unbelievable during the situation," the three-time Super Bowl champion coach said. "We had them from all over the place and they just immediately jumped in to cover-you-up mode and make sure everyone was safe the best they possibly could with a million people there. 

"I thought they handled everything tremendously. I’m not just saying that from my standpoint. I had a bird’s eye view of things going on, I thought they were great."

Reid speaks for the Chiefs. But it's clear his words were part of consensus thinking because general manager Brett Veach echoed the coach's sentiments.

GM Brett Veach On Same Page

"Much like Coach, before we get into the football topics, (I) would definitely like to start off by offering our thoughts and prayers to Lisa Lopez-Galvan, her family, all the families that were impacted the day of the parade," Veach said.

"Certainly a heart-breaking and tragic day for us. Our organization has been in contact with the families, and we will continue to do so and be a pillar of support for them both now and into the future. Speaking of support, certainly want to thank the first responders that day, the men and women in uniform for their support and really everyone that day that showed their guidance during a tough time.

"Numerous player accounts and stories, I’m proud of those guys for the work they did and for the calmness they showed. Definitely wanted to start off by again sending our thoughts and prayers to those families."

This is the Super Bowl champions scoring another victory.

They're showing empathy for victims. They're showing support for their community.

They're calling for more love. Not more legislation.