Kansas City Chiefs coordinator Eric Bieniemy revealed his wife Mia told him to return to work after being shot at their Virginia home.
The 57-year-old coach was excused from Chiefs training camp indefinitely following the July 26 shooting before returning two weeks later, declaring it was "great to be back" after his family ordeal.
Speaking publicly about the situation for the first time at a press conference after practice on Tuesday, Bieniemy shared a positive update on her recovery and explained that his wife was a driving force behind his return to camp.
Bieniemy returned to Kansas City this offseason, rejoining the franchise where he previously served as offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022 and won two Super Bowl titles. The Chiefs are a professional American football franchise based in Kansas City, Missouri, competing in the National Football League, where the offensive coordinator oversees offensive strategy and play calling.
Return to Chiefs training camp
Bieniemy began his press conference by expressing gratitude to the media for showing love and support and respecting his family's privacy during the ordeal.
"Obviously the unfortunate circumstances that took place is very hurtful in a way, but on top of that I just respect that you guys are respecting our privacy, and hats off to you," Bieniemy said.
He also thanked team leadership and colleagues. "I also would like to say thank you to the Hunt family, the entire Chiefs family, for the outpouring the love and support that my family has received through this particular situation," he said. "But with all that being said, we're back to football and I'm all ears."
While staying with his wife during her initial recovery, Bieniemy remained in close contact with the team remotely, watching practice sessions via video link. He admitted that his intensity and coaching language at home caught family members off guard as he monitored team activities from his house.
"Technology is pretty impressive," he said. "My language probably got a little colorful in the house. I had a bunch of family members that were there that really never heard some of the language that was used. It felt good just to see the guys work and to feel like I was still a part of it."
Smiling as he spoke, Bieniemy recalled shouting at screens, players, coaches, and himself over play calls while watching practice footage.
"I was yelling at the screen, yelling at players, yelling at coaches - 'What the hell are we doing?!' I'm yelling at myself, 'Why would you put that play in!?'" Bieniemy said. "At the end of the day, I was making sure I was keeping up with what was going on."
He revealed that his active presence at home eventually led his wife to encourage his return to the team facility. "So she was like, 'You have my blessing to leave, so it was time to get back,'" he said.
Bieniemy praised his wife's resilience as she continues her rehabilitation. "She is on a road to recovery," Bieniemy said. "She is doing great. It's one of the main reasons why I'm back here because of her recovery. She is truly a soldier. She's a saint. It's been incredible to watch, but I know I was driving her and a bunch of family members crazy in the house."
Details of the Virginia home shooting
The shooting occurred at the couple's home in Virginia on July 26. Following the incident, Mia called 911 herself while emergency dispatchers warned responding officers that her son still had a weapon inside the home.
Mia suffered serious injuries from multiple gunshot wounds after being struck in the left forearm and shoulder by a bullet that traveled across her chest. According to NBC Washington, she required surgery following the shooting and still has bullet fragments inside her body.
Charges and mental health evaluation
The couple's 27-year-old son, Elijah Bieniemy, was taken into custody following the shooting and has been held by police without bond. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Elijah was charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling.
A Virginia judge recently approved a motion for a formal mental health evaluation for Elijah. Court documents filed by his public defender stated that he appears to suffer from significant mental health issues.
