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Darrent Williams, Broncos CB, dead at age 24

281

Veteran
breaking news from ESPN: he was shot and killed coming out of a nightclub.

i can't believe it. only 24.
 
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/01/bronco.killed.ap/index.html

DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Denver early Monday morning.

Team spokesman Jim Saccomano said police called him about 3 a.m. from the scene of the shooting and told him three people had been shot and that Williams, 24, had been killed.

A little after 2 a.m., a white Hummer limousine was sprayed with bullets from a vehicle that pulled along side, said Sonny Jackson, spokesperson for the Denver Police Department.

Three people in the limousine were hit and were taken to hospitals, where one man was pronounced dead, Jackson said. The other man and woman who were shot were not identified.

Jackson said police were searching for the attackers and interviewing witnesses.

"We have no motive yet," Jackson said. "We're hoping to talk with witnesses to find out where they were coming from, and that might give us some clues."

Saccomano said he spoke with coach Mike Shanahan and others in the organization.

"Complete shock. We're speechless. It takes words away. A terrible tragedy," Saccomano said.

Hours before the shooting, the Broncos lost to San Francisco 26-23 in overtime, eliminating them from the playoff race.

Williams finished the season with 88 tackles, 78 of them solo, and four interceptions.

On Sunday against the 49ers, he had three tackles and returned two punts for 50 yards before leaving the game with a shoulder injury late in the second half.

Williams, a second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State in 2005, made an immediate impact on the Broncos, starting nine times in his rookie season following a stellar career at Oklahoma State, where he totaled 11 interceptions and scored three touchdowns on punt returns.

Players and coaches are off Monday. They were scheduled to meet Tuesday before heading home for the offseason.


That's such a tragedy. Best of luck to his family and the Broncos organization.
 

aj.

All Pro
Shocking, is all I can say. ... and after just watching that Broncos game yesterday evening. What a shock for Broncos fan and his family. My condolences.

I remember watching him at the Texans practice facility in training camp '05 when the Broncos were here for joint practice. You could tell then that he had special talent, even though he was a rookie.

He's also Texan for those who didn't know:
(from his bio)

HIGH SCHOOL: Williams was a three-time all-district selection at O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He began his high school career at running back before switching to cornerback. As a senior, he was named 7-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player after posting five interceptions that featured several long returns, including a best of 54 yards. He averaged 30 yards per punt return and scored four touchdowns as a returner. Williams missed five games as a junior with a broken middle finger but recovered the following year as the Dallas Morning News tabbed him for its area top-100 list on the gridiron. He also was named an All-American by Track and Field News.

PERSONAL: Williams was a three-time all-district selection at O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He began his high school career at running back before switching to cornerback. As a senior, he was named 7-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player after posting five interceptions that featured several long returns, including a best of 54 yards. He averaged 30 yards per punt return and scored four touchdowns as a returner. Williams missed five games as a junior with a broken middle finger but recovered the following year as the Dallas Morning News tabbed him for its area top-100 list on the gridiron. He also was named an All-American by Track and Field News. He started up his own entertainment company called RYNO Entertainment in Fort Worth, Texas. He also has made charitable contributions to little league football teams in Fort Worth and Houston. Williams majored in education at Oklahoma State. The son of Rosiland Williams, Darrent Williams was born Sept. 27, 1982, in Fort Worth, Texas.
 

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
I remember watching him at the Texans practice facility in training camp '05 when the Broncos were here for joint practice. You could tell then that he had special talent, even though he was a rookie.
I to attended one of those scrimmages between the Texans & Broncos at the
Reliant practice facility back in the summer of 2005.
In one set of Red Zone drills, I was among a large group of spectators standing on the edge
of the EZ and watching Bronco DBs vs. Texan receivers. On one play in particular, saw this little Bronco DB out jump AJ for a pass and tear off downfield with the pic. The little guy made an incredible leap as he gave AJ 'bout half foot, and his quickness was also something to behold.
Anyway, found out this was the deceased so whenever I was watching a
Broncos game and their D was on the field, I always looked for him to make a play.
Incredible athelete and competitor.
 

BattleRedToro

Thread Killer
This is so terrible. I hope the shooter gets caught and punished. I am at a loss for words to describe how horrible this is.
 

Marcus

Windmill cancer survivor
Contributor's Club
That is a shame. Couldn't believe it when I heard it. My prayers go out to his family, and to the Broncos.
 

Trap_Star

SiteContributor
WOW i still cant believe this. My thoughts go out to his family and the Broncos organization. Its tough to see a good youngman with the rest of his life ahead of him go out like this....

RIP. DARRENT WILLIAMS 1982-2007
 

Nawzer

Alienz
This is a terrible piece of news. Darrent Williams was on his way to being a superstar. I'm shocked. RIP Darrent Williams.
 

TexanLen

Waterboy
Denver is my second favorite team behind the Texans. I remember seeing this dude and thinking why does he have his full name on his jersey? He was a good player though. I know it is a cliche to say this, but it puts things into perspective. Football is just a game. This young guy had his whole life ahead of him. On a senseless act of violence, his life was taken. My prayers go out to him and his family.
 

V Man

Pumpkinhead
He was an exciting player, remember that he had an unbelieveble vertical. Many times I say him outjump WR that had at least 6 inches on him.

My prayers go out to his family and friends.
 

ledzeppelin229

Hall of Fame
Unfortunate news to add to it. My sister's best friend dates his cousin and we were told that it was gang-related.
Seems to be the cause of too many young deaths. We can only hope that things like this can spur people on to try and put an end to gang violence. It might only be one community at a time...but it's a process.
 

BattleRedToro

Thread Killer
Seems to be the cause of too many young deaths. We can only hope that things like this can spur people on to try and put an end to gang violence. It might only be one community at a time...but it's a process.
It is my opinion that people say it wrong when they say end gang violence they should instead say end gangs. Then, naturally the violence that they cause would end as well. Can anyone tell me what other purpose gangs serve? It seems to me that violence is their sole purpose. That is why it strikes me as sounding so strange to say end gang violence instead of end gangs. For instance, I can't imagine a couple of gangs getting together to have a parade. No, all they do is kill each other as well as random strangers.
 

edo783

Hall of Fame
Unfortunate news to add to it. My sister's best friend dates his cousin and we were told that it was gang-related.
Might be, he had ties to the Crips early on (before college). Don't think we was still part of them, but might have been hanging with the wrong sort and got caught in the crosse fire.
 

aj.

All Pro
NFL Network's Adam Schefter just reported that Williams and Javon Walker were at Carmello Anthony's NYE party where some gang members were present. Apparently there was a conflict at the party so Williams and Walker left (to go to Allen Iverson's party instead) and were followed by the bad guys who sprayed the Hummer. They showed the Hummer and at least one window was totally shot out. Shefter said that Williams died in Walker's lap and that apparently Walker was unhurt. Bizarre.

Schefter prefaced his remarks by saying 'this is unconfirmed' but he also said 'this is what's going around.'
 

GuerillaBlack

Hall of Fame
It is still weird because I was just watching him make plays on the field. What if Javon had been shot and killed, too?
 

Texas_Thrill

Veteran
One day I have a dream that young black men will learn to just let IT go. Whatever the alteraction or disagreement was about was not worth the life that was taken. This frustrates me beyond belief. If you're going to fight then fight but taking a life is FOREVER. And now two more children must grow up without a father.
 

Spider_20

Practice Squad
I now he didn't play for the texans but he was someone who should be remembered none the less please pay your condolenses.



Darrent Williams
1982-2007
 

HoustonFan

Veteran
Tragic indeed. Heard someone mention condolences to the Williams family, but I couldn't make out what the caller was talking about. Then I saw it on Yahoo Sports. Condolences to his family and the Broncos organization. Not a good way to start off the year. :(

Still hoping that this kind of craziness will come to an end.
 

TexanFanInCC

Veteran
wow i cant imagine what the atmosphere is like in denver right now. as if that town didnt need insult to injury, they got it in the most horrific of forms. it is a shame that this is what it comes down to. i wonder if this is a gang-related attack or what. who knows. i was also shocked that javon walker was in the hummer when the attack occured. RIP darrent williams, on behalf of myself and all texans fans.
 

GuerillaBlack

Hall of Fame
Do you think this would have happened if the Broncos had won the game? And it is weird playing with him on Madden 07. I had him on the Texans before what had happened today.
 

edo783

Hall of Fame
A reason for riding in limos is the safety of the bulletproof glass and reinforced steel.
Standard limos aren't anything but a regular vehical stretched. To get the armored with the bullet proof glass is VERY expensive and aren't usually used by limo services. I suspect you could find a service that has one or two and rent them, but they are not normaly part of a limo services inventory.
 

Tulip

Veteran
Mike Shanahan is having his press conference right now. He's doing pretty well, but some of the questions are choking him up.
 

The Dream

All Pro
My condolences go out to his loved ones, from the sounds of it he seemed like a good person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Things like this are one of the main reasons why I try to stay out of clubs.
 

texasguy346

Mod Squad
It's such a tragedy for such a young man with such a bright future was killed in this manner. I pray that God blesses his family & friends.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
RIP Darrent Williams. :(

Way too young to die. My thoughts and prayers to his family, and especially his children. They will live it every day for the rest of their lives, and that's just sad.
 

GuerillaBlack

Hall of Fame
This kind of thing should not happen. It is the New Year and already he was killed. Didn't get to see the sunrise on the New Year, just lived a few hours after it. Why did the gunmen target this vehicle? Who was in the car that made them mad, because it was not Darrent Williams.
 

stingray

Hall of Fame
I was watching the Broncos/49ers game on NFL Repaly just a couple of mintues ago, and they were talking about how the 49ers had their offensive lineman Herrian die in the Bronco lockeroom a couple of years ago and that this would be the first time they had returned to the stadium And while they were talking about this, D. williams was on the the field. Nobody would know that he would be dead less that 12 hours later. Just bizzare.
 
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