ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

For the second time in seven days, a Buffalo Bills player's home in suburban Hamburg has been violated.

Given the number of NFL players who own guns, this is a disconcerting trend that could end in another tragedy.

Players, remembering how Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was murdered during a botched break-in at his home two years ago, are on high alert after Bills safety Donte Whitner's house was burglarized during Sunday's victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"I can’t really say too much," Whitner told reporters Tuesday at the Bills' facility. "There is an investigation. I can say that. It has taken place. It’s very early in the stages. But no one was harmed, and there was some things taken, but that’s all I can say about that."

But Patrice Horton, who the Buffalo News identified as Whitner's business spokeswoman, claimed $400,000 worth of jewelry was stolen.

"He was upset. He was hurt," Horton told the Buffalo News. "He doesn't know who was responsible. There's some feeling of being violated. You don't know who was in your home. But he's OK."

A week ago, two teenagers vandalized the front lawn of cornerback Leodis McKelvin's home in Hamburg. McKelvin fumbled in the final two minutes of Monday night's stunning 25-24 loss to the New England Patriots.

Beyond safety concerns, the incidents are particularly troubling because one of the few draws players have to Buffalo is its passionate fan base, which suddenly is gaining an unsavory reputation across the country.