Chiefs’ Jaylen Watson Latest Pro Athlete Targeted in String of Game-Day Burglaries
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson returned home after Sunday’s 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans only to find out he’d been hit off the field as well - by burglars.
Watson shared the news himself, posting late Sunday night: “Welp get home and my house got broken into.” It's a gut punch no athlete wants - stepping off the field after a tough loss and walking into a real-life nightmare.
Unfortunately, Watson’s not alone. He’s the latest in a growing list of pro athletes who’ve been targeted during games, with burglars timing their break-ins while players are away competing.
And this isn’t just a one-off. It’s part of a troubling pattern that’s impacted some of the biggest names in sports - and it’s hitting close to home in Kansas City.
Last year, both Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes were victims of similar crimes. Kelce’s $6 million Leawood, Kansas, home was broken into on the same day the Chiefs beat the Saints - a game where Taylor Swift was in the stands, cheering him on.
The aftermath left Kelce shaken. According to reports, he didn’t hesitate to upgrade his home security, installing a more advanced system and reinforced locks.
He and Swift even stayed at a hotel after the game while the security overhaul got underway.
Among the items Kelce lost? Around $100,000 worth of jewelry and, perhaps more painfully, his first Super Bowl jersey - a piece of personal history gone in an instant.
Mahomes, too, wasn’t spared. His Missouri home was burglarized just hours before the same group hit Kelce’s place. Thieves reportedly made off with a collection of jerseys, medals, trophies, awards, and even personal items belonging to his wife Brittany, including designer bags and jewelry.
Watson hasn’t shared details yet on what was taken from his home, and the Chiefs have not issued a public comment at this time.
But this disturbing trend isn’t confined to the NFL. Just last week, WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu and her husband, NFL lineman Hroniss Grasu, had their Los Angeles-area home burglarized.
The timing? While they were away - again, during a game.
That same weekend, Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was targeted while playing against the 49ers in Santa Clara. According to Metro Nashville Police, at least six suspects smashed a window to gain access to Simmons’ home and took off with multiple items. That investigation is still ongoing.
And this isn’t just a 2025 problem. Earlier this season, Shedeur Sanders had $200,000 worth of valuables stolen from his suburban Cleveland home while he was making his NFL debut with the Browns. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow dealt with a similar situation last season - his Ohio home was broken into while he was busy leading Cincinnati to a win over the Cowboys in Texas.
What’s becoming clear is that this is more than just isolated incidents - it’s part of a coordinated effort. Earlier this year, law enforcement revealed a South American crime ring had been traveling across the U.S., targeting affluent neighborhoods and high-profile athletes. Back in February, prosecutors charged seven alleged members of the group, linking them to burglaries involving Mahomes, Kelce, and others.
The case runs deeper, too. A pawn shop owner, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy, pleaded guilty to buying and selling stolen items from these break-ins.
His co-defendant, Juan Villar, admitted to the same charges in June. Together, they helped move the stolen goods - everything from jewelry to memorabilia - through their shop.
For players like Watson, the message is clear: the threat isn’t just on the field. It’s at home, too - especially when the schedule takes them away. And while teams focus on game plans and matchups, more and more athletes are having to think about something that should never be part of the job: whether their home will still be secure when they return.
As investigations continue, one thing is certain - players across the league are taking notice. And for good reason.