Eric Bieniemy returns to Chiefs after wife’s shooting and son’s arrest
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said his wife Mia’s recovery cleared the way for his comeback, after she was shot and their son Elijah was arrested.
After a July 26 shooting left his wife Mia with multiple injuries, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy stepped away from the team to be with his family in Virginia. Their son Elijah Bieniemy was subsequently arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in a felony, and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling, with his legal proceedings postponed for a mental-health assessment. While his family recovered, Bieniemy stayed connected to the team by watching practice streams and joining meetings remotely.
He returned to the Chiefs’ training camp ahead of a preseason loss to the Rams, saying Mia’s healing was a primary reason for his comeback. The coach expressed gratitude to the Chiefs’ staff, including general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid, as well as the broader organization for their support. Teammates, such as linebacker Nick Bolton, welcomed his return, noting his competitive drive benefits the locker room.
Why it matters
The story shows how personal crises can affect NFL staff and highlights the team's support amid a family tragedy.
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