Watch CBS News

Costas Advocates Gun Control During NFL Game

ARLINGTON (AP/CBSDFW) - Broadcaster Bob Costas used his halftime segment of the Cowboys/Eagles matchup Sunday night to advocate for gun control following this weekend's murder-suicide involving Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, causing an immediate debate on social media.

Belcher killed girlfriend and former North Texas resident Kassandra Perkins Saturday morning before driving to the team locker room and killing himself in front of coaching staff.

MORE: Family Of Kansas City Murder-Suicide Victim Live In North Texas

MORE: Kasandra Perkins Family Says Focus Should Be On Perkins, Not Her Killer

Costas said during NBC's Football Night in America Sunday the shooting is proof America needs more gun control laws

In a segment about 90 seconds long, Costas paraphrased and quoted extensively from a piece by FOX Sports columnist Jason Whitlock.

After praising the column, Costas said: "In the coming days, Jovan Belcher's actions and their possible connection to football will be analyzed. Who knows? But here, wrote Jason Whitlock, is what I believe. If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today."

Belcher shot and killed Perkins, the mother of his 3-month-old daughter, on Saturday morning, then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and committed suicide in the parking lot of the team's practice facility.

The online reaction to Costas' segment was swift, with many people criticizing the broadcaster for expressing his personal views on a program meant for entertainment.

What do you think, should Costas have said anything about the Murder/Suicide and gun control during the Cowboys game?

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Also Check Out:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.