Chiefs CEO: Team made decision to play

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KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Kansas City Chiefs coaches and players decided to play Sunday's game following the murder-suicide involving Jovan Belcher, the team's chief executive says.

Clark Hunt told The NFL Network he allowed head Coach Romeo Crennel and team captains to make the decision on whether to play the Carolina Panthers after Belcher shot himself Saturday in the presence of Crennel and other staffers at the Chiefs' practice facility.

Police say the 25-year-old linebacker had only minutes earlier slain his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, 22, at their suburban Kansas City home.

"I decided to leave it up to the team," Hunt told the broadcaster. "I called Coach Crennel and asked him to call the captains and see what they thought the right decision was.

"So he called the six captains who heard from their teammates and they unanimously believed the right decision was to go forward with the game."

Hunt said he believed Chiefs fans would back the decision.

"I think our fans will be supportive as well, they understand what a difficult situation this is for our coaching staff -- particularly those that were present yesterday when Javon took his life -- as well as the team," he said.