CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers sack leader Mario Addison missed Wednesday’s practice to deal with the alleged murder of his 27-year-old brother, who was shot and killed on Sunday night in Birmingham, Alabama.
There is no exact timetable for Addison’s return from Birmingham, but team officials are optimistic the 32-year-old outside linebacker will play in Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
Addison on Monday posted on Instagram a picture of him and his brother with the words: “This pain is real. Half of my soul gone wen u killed my baby brother last nite. Please live through me n Rest well lil bruh.”
Carolina coach Ron Rivera said he’s kept in touch with Addison the past few days and given “positive messages of support.”
“He’s been a big part of what we’ve done and the success we’ve had and the success we’re having,” said Rivera, whose 4-3 team had won four straight prior to Sunday’s loss at San Francisco. “He’s most certainly missed and we most certainly do think about him and pray for his family.”
Addison ranks 11th in the NFL in sacks this season with 6.5 for a Carolina team that ranks second in the league in sacks with 30, one behind the New England Patriots that have played one more game.
He learned of his brother’s death after the 51-13 loss to the 49ers. The shooting happened at 7:15 p.m. in Birmingham. Police found Gjamal Antonio Rodriqcus and a woman inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds.
Rodriqcus was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Birmingham police on Tuesday reportedly charged 22-year-old Darius Frazier of capital murder for the death of Rodriqcus and attempted murder for the shooting of the woman.
Addison is the second Carolina linebacker to miss practice time due to a death in the family in the past three weeks. Shaq Thompson was out after learning after a win over Tampa Bay in London three weeks ago that his mother passed.
Thompson wore warm-up cleats with pictures of his mother on the side before Sunday’s loss at San Francisco. He has a picture of her hanging in his locker and has dedicated the rest of this season to her.
Thompson said “it means everything” to have the support of the team during tough times.
“It means they care for us,” he said. “It’s bigger than football. They understand we need breaks from football sometimes, especially when it has to do with family.
“They told me to take as long as I needed. They texted me every day to tell me they’re thinking of me. I’m sure they’re doing the same thing for Rio.”
Rivera learned in 2015 the importance of taking time to grieve and have the support of the team when his brother, Mickey, died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer just before the start of training camp.
Rivera missed two days of practice to be with family for the funeral in Reno, Nevada.
“The hard part is your grieving process is very limited,” Rivera said. “I unfortunately had only one day. The hard part was I was there only briefly for my parents, my brothers, my brother’s widow. That was tough.
“Same thing for Shaq. It’s a very limited time, and Mario is unfortunately in the same situation.”