MLB seeking to ID at-risk players, sources say

The Jovan Belcher murder-suicide motivated Major League Baseball to gather information last week for behavioral profiles that could enable teams to ID players who may need assistance or intervention, sources say.

The events surrounding Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, who killed girlfriend Kasandra Perkins before shooting himself, motivated Major League Baseball to gather information from the tragedy for behavioral profiles that theoretically enable teams to identify players who may need assistance or intervention, according to sources.

Data shows that 80 MLB players or former players have committed suicide, 54 from self-inflicted gun wounds.

Sources say Belcher had been engaged in an employee assistance program six to eight weeks before his death.

The leagues are sharing information and using FBI behavioral analysis in an effort to compile a better profile of a player or former player in trouble.