Lions react to break-ins targeting NFL players: 'Everybody knows your schedule'

ALLEN PARK. Mich. (FOX 2) - There’s been a series of break-ins targeting National Football League players recently - and members of the Lions are on high alert.

"I think some of our guys sent out a message (to) you know, just be safe," said receiver Jameson Williams. "Know it’s that time of the year, just be safe and take care of yourself."

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was the latest victim.

"It’s just unfortunate that it happened to Joe," said defensive tackle DJ Reader. I hate it because, obviously, everybody knows your schedule. It's not like you can hide from it. Everybody knows you’re playing Monday Night Football or this and the third. You know, it’s just unfortunate."

The break-in happened while Burrow and the Bengals were playing in Dallas on December 9.

Burrow said that he felt his privacy had been violated.

"Some people just don’t have respect or things like that for people who do stuff for the city - you know, it’s kind of weird," Williams said. "You just got to always watch your surroundings and be safe at all times."

Burrow wasn’t the first victim this season. Also targeted - Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. Each of their homes in the Kansas City area were broken into in early October, just days apart.

Thousands of dollars was taken from Kelce’s home.

"It’s not something that’s new," Reader said. "You know something we’ve seen around the league, and every other league all the time. People can sit and plot and they can figure out if you're home or not. and if they know where you live it makes things a little bit easier."

This week the Lions are home against the Bills, but the following two games they’ll be away.

They’re hoping they won't be the next victims.

"I doubt the person was just sitting there with all the lights off, you know what I'm saying?" Reader said. "It seems like people don’t care. It’s unfortunate where we are right now. People are just starving, hungry. It’s holiday times, just all of those things you know, factor into it. it sucks."

FOX 2 was told the NFL sent a memo to players in late November, cautioning them about what has been happening.