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Op-Ed: Sports Agent Reflects On Jovan Belcher Tragedy

Dec 1, 2012; A few fans placed a sign outside Kansas City Chiefs practice facility the evening that Chiefs player Jovan Belcher (not pictured) committed a murder and suicide. Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

The following guest post is by Travis Bell, an NBPA and CFLPA certified Contract Advisor and owner of The Seven Bridges Group based in Newport Beach, CA.

Dec 1, 2012; A few fans placed a sign outside Kansas City Chiefs practice facility the evening that Chiefs player Jovan Belcher (not pictured) committed a murder and suicide. Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

This past Saturday morning was just like any other Saturday morning during the 1st week of December. I was looking forward to the SEC Championship game and the ACC Championship game featuring my alma mater, Florida State. And what Saturday would be complete without my De La Salle Spartans going after their 21st straight North Coast Section championship?  Even though we had powerful storms here on the West Coast, I was in great spirits.

However, the good vibe was shattered when the news about Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Jovan Belcher hit the wires. There are no words to describe the pure shock, disbelief and horror I felt as the story unfolded. I didn’t know Jovan, and to be honest with you had never even heard of him before Saturday, but it doesn’t diminish the fact that 2 young people are gone and families, friends and teammates’ lives are changed forever.

We may never know the true story of what led to this tragedy.  We may never know if this could have been avoided. We may not even know if there were warning signs missed.  What we do know is athletes are human and have feelings, emotions, and moments of indiscretion.

As agents, and I’ve been guilty of this was well, we tend to look at our clients in terms of what they mean on the field, court or diamond. Looking towards that roster bonus, extension, incentives, and new contract.

That’s fine, that’s our job, but like I said in the aftermath of the Junior Seau tragedy, what about the soft skills? This world can be cruel, a rat race and unforgiving. We’ve put so much emphasis on concussions and their impact, and rightfully so, but as Contract Advisors let’s ask ourselves what more can we do. Is it matter of limiting our client base to ensure we can provide personal service, a matter of employing Client Relationship Managers to support our clients?

I don’t have the answer, but its high time to embark on a mission to discover answers and protect our clients.

Happy Holidays

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.

One reply on “Op-Ed: Sports Agent Reflects On Jovan Belcher Tragedy”

I am a prospective sports agent taking classes at Concordia and with SMWW where the emphasis in education focuses on the soft side of the job. I agree and is oddly enough one of the reasons why I hope to be a sports agent. I want to offer a moral and compassionate side to the business and support athletes who struggle in these areas. As a former school teacher the idea of social/ emotional education was debated. In the absence of the social/ emotional education recieved at home, I think it is important for these young athletes to recieve some type of support as their lives suddenly change. I speak to my son about Byron Buxton who became an instant millionaire one month after going to prom. I believe it is the sports agent obligation to prepare him for the life ahead that he could never have truely concieved.

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