Mia Bieniemy, wife of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, was shot at their home in Northern Virginia. Authorities described her injuries as serious, but she was in stable condition on Monday. The incident led to the arrest of their oldest son, Elijah Bieniemy, who is being held without bond and faces felony charges.
Eric Bieniemy is currently on a leave of absence from the Chiefs. Head coach Andy Reid addressed the situation, stating that Bieniemy has a strong support system within the team and his family. Reid emphasized the importance of addressing personal matters, noting, “Real life. So, you take care of that, and that becomes important.”
Team support for Bieniemy family
While Eric Bieniemy is away, Joe Bleymaier, the passing game coordinator, will assume offensive coordinator duties. The Chiefs‘ veteran players are scheduled to report to training camp at Missouri Western State University, where preparations for the upcoming season will continue, including efforts to retool the offense as quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovers from knee surgery.
Andy Reid expressed his compassion for Bieniemy‘s situation, drawing on his own past experiences with family crises. Reid‘s oldest son, Garrett, died in 2012, and his other son, Britt, was involved in a car crash in 2021 that resulted in a DUI conviction. Reid stated, “We all love E.B. and you hate seeing these things happen, but there’s a blessing in there somewhere. And so, I know things will work out.”
Reid also provided an update on Mia Bieniemy‘s condition, confirming she is stable. He acknowledged her role, saying, “She’s a saint. We all know that, the people that know her. One of God’s blessings, right there now. Special person.”
Bieniemy’s return to the Chiefs
Eric Bieniemy returned to the Chiefs this year after spending time with the Washington Commanders, UCLA, and the Chicago Bears. He had previously served on Reid‘s staff for 10 seasons, including five as offensive coordinator.
In an interview, Bieniemy reflected on his previous departure and return, noting the significance of working with people he considers family. He mentioned, “The one thing you learn, it ain’t necessarily where you work, but more importantly, who you work with.”
Bieniemy‘s younger son, Eric III, has cerebral palsy, a condition that Bieniemy has stated influenced his development as a coach and leader. He shared in a 2020 interview that Eric III spent the first five years of his life in and out of hospitals and is confined to a wheelchair. Bieniemy described Eric III as the “backbone of our family” and a source of energy.
During a recent training camp practice, Bieniemy‘s presence was notable, as he was frequently seen huddling with Reid and speaking with Mahomes. His intensity and focus on fundamentals, consistency, and balance were evident as he worked to prepare the offense. Bieniemy expressed his concern for Mahomes‘ recovery from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, an injury sustained in mid-December.
Bieniemy‘s dedication to his work and family remains a central aspect of his life, especially as he navigates this personal challenge. Andy Reid concluded his remarks by stating, “But things happen. Things happen and you just have to work through it. That’s where we are right now. And time will have to be involved in this to help heal a little bit. But it’ll all work out in the long run.”
Source: thedailybeast.com
