Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s son, Elijah Bieniemy, aged 27, has been charged with allegedly shooting his mother, Mia Bieniemy, in Ashburn, Virginia. Mia sustained multiple gunshot wounds but is now stable.
Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid voiced support for the Bieniemy family following the incident. Mia was shot on July 26, which led Eric Bieniemy to leave the team to be with his family. Elijah was arrested shortly after.
Eric Bieniemy resumed his duties last week before the team’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. He shared that his wife’s recovery led to his return, mentioning that staying by her side was making him stir crazy.
Talking publicly, Bieniemy expressed optimism about his wife’s condition. “First and foremost, yes, she’s on a great road to recovery. Yes, she’s doing great.”
The Bieniemys attended the Super Bowl ring ceremony on June 15, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. During the off-season, Eric acted as offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, remaining involved with the Chiefs from Virginia.
A report suggests Elijah may have contacted authorities about losing access to weapons before the shooting. Eric remained engaged with his team even while away, contributing insights remotely.
Elijah Bieniemy faces several charges, including malicious wounding. His court proceedings await the results of a mental-health evaluation.
Eric Bieniemy expressed gratitude towards the Chiefs organization for their support during this period. “Thank you to the Hunt family, the Chiefs family for their support,” he said, adding that he is back to focusing on football.
Eric’s coaching tenure contributed to the Chiefs’ successes, including appearances in three Super Bowls. He returned to replace former offensive coordinator Matt Nagy after a year with the Chicago Bears.
Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton expressed appreciation for Bieniemy’s return, describing the impact of his competitive spirit. “To have a guy like that come back, it brings out the best in us,” Bolton said.