Son of Colorado great Eric Bieniemy charged in shooting of Mother

Eric Bieniemy played at Colorado from 1986-1990. (Photo courtesy of The Boulder Daily Camera/Cliff Grassmick)

The son of Eric Bieniemy, Colorado football’s all-time leading rusher and current Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, was arrested for the shooting of his mother, Mia Bieniemy, authorities in Virginia said Monday.

Deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office found the 57-year-old with multiple gunshot wounds, and she was transported to a hospital where she is in stable condition, according to ESPN’s Nick Taylor.

Elijah Bieniemy, 27, was charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. He is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation was ongoing

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“Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family. Thoughts and prayers with them,” Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. 

“He has a great support group here, as does his family, as needed, and we’ll just let time take care of it from there,” Reid continued.

Eric Bieniemy started at running back for Colorado’s 1990 national championship team and was voted third in the Heisman Trophy race that same season. He finished his collegiate career as a Buffalo with 3,940 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns from scrimmage. 

Bieniemy spent five seasons as the running backs coach in Kansas City before he was promoted to offensive coordinator. He helped the Chiefs to reach three Super Bowls in five seasons, winning two of them. After a stint with the Commanders in 2023, he returned to the Chiefs this offseason to replace Matt Nagy as the offensive coordinator.