The NFL issued a security alert to team security directors and the players’ union to inform them about concerns over organized groups targeting players’ houses for burglaries.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the groups are suspected to be tied to a South American crime syndicate and have already burglarized the homes of multiple NFL players, including Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce last month.
A memo sent to players in the league was obtained by The Associated Press and detailed that players have been “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”
NFL Security explained in the memo that these groups “appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes’ homes on game days,” noting that those involved will gather information in a variety of manners.
“Some groups also conduct extensive surveillance on targets, their residences, neighborhoods, and security measures. Surveillance tactics have included attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in a neighborhood,” continued the memo, per The Washington Post.
One source close to the situation told Pelissero that there is a “legit” concern about the potential for more burglaries, noting that it has become increasingly common across the country.
“It’s a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they’ve focused on NBA and NFL players, and it’s all over the country,” continued the source, per NFL.com.
The NFL memo reportedly told players to be more careful with their posts on social media, recommending that athletes refrain from posting expensive items while posting all social media updates at one time to avoid revealing a schedule to the group, per The AP.
Mahomes discussed the increasing number of burglaries, noting that he does not want to discuss the memo too heavily but that it has become a nuisance for players to worry about on game days.
“Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing. I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing, but, obviously, it’s something that you don’t want to happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself,” he said, according to Fox News.