What do Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Luka Dončić, Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, and Bobby Portis Jr. have in common?
They’re all famous athletes, yes, but they also share another common bond. They or their loved ones have all been victimized by home burglaries in recent months.
Now the FBI is reportedly warning sports leagues to advise their players to limit displays of jewelry, cash, and other valuables on their social media accounts.
NBC News reported the FBI won’t confirm sending such a warning to leagues, but a source said the memo, known as a “liaison information report,” outlines the threat. According to the FBI, the burglaries are most likely the work of South American organized theft groups. The thieves are believed to be using high-tech tools, such as drones and security-jamming devices, to carry out the thefts.
And of course with pro athletes, prospective thieves have team schedules that let them know when an athlete and his loved ones will not be home. Thieves burglarized and ransacked Burrow’s home in early December as the Cincinnati Bengals played the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
Dončić’s home was burglarized Friday night while the Dallas Mavericks were on the road against the Phoenix Suns.
The NFL and NBA have both issued security alerts to players in recent months.
Sports media personalities are not immune from such crimes. FS1’s Shannon Sharpe lost more than $1 million in watches, jewelry, and other items in a home burglary in 2023.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.