To say the least, this has been an emotionally draining day here at Dove Valley, and I apologize for not posting here sooner.
There are candles lit outside the front entrance of Broncos headquarters now. The office is silent; the hallways desolate. In other words, it’s the precise antithesis of any room into which Darrent Williams entered.
That was evident from the moment he arrived.
I have never seen anyone walk into a building in his first day on the job with the enthusiasm that this fast-talking Fort Worth native showed.
It was April 24, 2005, and the final four rounds of the draft chugged along. It is Broncos custom to bring their first-day draftees into Dove Valley on this day to meet the coaches and staff, answer questions at press conferences and display their newly-minted jerseys. Some players handle the event with distant, almost dour stoicism. Others bound from stop to stop in the building with the giddiness of someone barely one-third his age.
You could count Williams among the latter category.
A broad smile seemed tattooed to his face as he moved about the building with his fellow rookies — two of which shared his position: Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah. They drank the proceedings in sips with cool professionalism. Williams, on the other hand, quaffed the environment in gulps, grinning all the way, seeming to lead his fellow rookies along their quick trip around Dove Valley.
Perhaps I should have seen his unbridled joy coming, because Williams was never the kind of fellow who was going to slink meekly around. Three months earlier during Senior Bowl week, I chuckled as he high-stepped after an interception — in practice! Granted, Senior Bowl practices are about the most intense imaginable because each player hopes to impress the hundreds of coaches and scouts on hand, but that showed an ebullient, excitable spirit that would become his calling card any time he donned a helmet — whether it was in front of 76,000 onlookers at INVESCO Field or 76 media observers at a mini-camp practice during the horse latitudes of the football year.
Two years in the NFL wilds seemed to harden Williams just a smidgen. It does that to many; it is, after all, a collection of the best of the best at the game of football. Many players arrive in the NFL having known nothing but peaks on the football field; traversing the valleys and doing so with dignity and resolve is a lesson that not all are able to learn and a condition to which some cannot fully adapt.
Williams found those extremes on the field in 2006 — and he did indeed adapt.
The Oct. 29 loss to Indianapolis in particular was crushing for him, so much so that the usually talkative cornerback didn’t meet the media following the game. A day later, though, he did, and even though the blame for the big day that Colts wideout Reggie Wayne had at the Broncos’ expense was shared by many, it was the second-year cornerback who owned up to what happened.
“I’m cool with taking the heat, because it just makes me mentally tough,” Williams once said to me.
In this case, Williams vowed to make changes in the game’s wake, even when the reasons for Wayne’s receptions went well beyond his realm of responsibility.
“I’ll play a little more aggressive,” he said at the time.
But even when assessing frustration, he did so with a bounce in his voice and optimism in his heart. Sure, he’d been beat, but like the great cornerbacks he sought to emulate, he forgot about it and soldiered onward. Six days later, as though he wanted to underscore his point, he became the first Bronco in a decade to recover two fumbles in a single game in the win at Pittsburgh, pouncing on the football on a kickoff return and again after a deep reception to stifle a Steelers threat.
It was almost as though Williams declared to the world, “Is that aggressive enough for you?” as his procurements of the football sparked the Broncos to a six-takeaway day. Two weeks later, he bounded into INVESCO Field’s south end zone with his second NFL touchdown via an interception return during the home loss to the Chargers.
A month later, though, I crossed paths with a more introspective Williams in the locker room following the win over Cincinnati. In the course of answering queries from a horde of inquisitors, he’d referenced some criticism from the media, and how he didn’t worry.
“I don’t care what nobody says about me,” he said. “My teammates have got my back.”
I don’t know why, but I sensed something below the surface of his remarks, so I waited until the crowd thinned to ask him more about the subject — to find out just how aware he was of what was written and spoken about his play. I figured he’d brush off the topic with a laugh and a smile. Those were the two best arrows in his satchel; with those at his disposal, nothing seemed to faze him.
But when the question was posed, something different happened. For the first time since I’d met Williams, I heard a quiver of pain in his usually upbeat voice. It was not for what the public assessments of his play did to him. Rather, it was for those he held closest, and how they absorbed everything that was said and written about their beloved young NFLer.
“You know, I hate it when my mom and people in my family call me and say, ‘Keep your head up; don’t worry about what they say,’ and I’ll (reply),’ ‘What did they say?’ They tell me stuff they say,” Williams said on Christmas Eve. “It’s kind of sad, just how people think that way.
“It’s really hurting my family more than anything. That’s why I come out here and give it my all every week, because I’m playing not only for me, but my family, my teammates and my coaches. I really don’t care what people say about me, but ultimately, (my family) does.”
That day, Williams was feted by Broncos observers for his end-zone interception of Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer. But what meant more to him was how his teammates embraced him … just as they always did. It seemed like Williams was always at the epicenter of any on-field celebration, whether it was slapping hands with Champ Bailey after one of his many interceptions or getting a hug and a ride from John Lynch after scoring against San Diego six weeks ago.
His enthusiasm and disposition made him a sterling teammate — whether the team was the Broncos, or his family back in Fort Worth. He would do anything to protect and support both without hesitation.
Without hesitation … really, those words encapsulate the Darrent Williams to whom I asked many a question. He spoke boldly and honestly. Some might have construed his words as cockiness. But he always spoke from the heart — the same heart that bled just a tad on Christmas Eve when he spoke of how his nearest and dearest reacted to what was written and said.
It’s still hard to believe that we won’t hear that voice around here again.
Late this afternoon, as the building had mostly emptied of the staff and players who gathered here today, I hobbled into the darkened, silent locker room just to glance at the spot where Williams held court so many times with the press, staff members and teammates.
Yet even if the room were filled, it would still seem desolate without Williams around.
A lively, engaging, bright light at Dove Valley has died. It shone with every smile that Williams shared with a teammate, a coach, a staffer or an interviewer.
All the while on this sad night here, candles burn out front, giving hope that the light burns on somewhere else.
But that light is no longer with us, and for this, my heart — and I surmise, the collective heart of Broncos Country — breaks tonight.
Tags: Darrent Williams
I’ve thought about what to write for a while now - thinking of DW since I heard of his passing yesterday. Reading through all of the messages today from my fellow Bronco fans absolutely breaks my heart. As I was taking down my Christmas Tree tonight (and all of my Bronco ornaments), I couldn’t help but think of our first great #27 - Steve Atwater.
When I first learned that Darrent would be wearing his number, I was concerned and wondered how anyone could “fill his shoes.” My concerns were over quickly since when Darrent took the field, he immediately “lit it up.” From the moment DW became a Bronco, he shined.
From his rookie year through this past one (his second and sadly, last one), he was a star who will always be respected and forever missed.
Darrent, words cannot express how much you are appreciated as a human being, father, friend, and football player. Your existence was a blessing for us all. If we’re fortunate enough, we’ll get to meet you in heaven someday, Darrent. You’ve taught us all some great lessons. Let’s all smile a lot, have crazy hair days, and let your friends, family, and strangers know everyday how much you love and appreciate them.
I think Stever Atwater would agree - let’s retire #27 in your memory. You will forever be in our hearts, Darrent. You were and will always be a star. Watching our team next year won’t be the same without you. You were our hero. Let’s win “one” (the big one - next year) for him.
With much Love Always, your adoring fan, CA 1 Bronco Fan
My prayers and condolences to the William’s family, and to my favorite football team the Denver Broncos. May God help you find peace during this tragic time. Darrent was very exciting to watch and I’m still numb to the truth that #27 is gone.
we got one for john elway an one for denver lets make this one even more special an get one for darrent williams a life cut to short to celebrate the next superbowl win, mvp in my heart you will always be such a strong soul an role model let god be wit you an may you shine on the denver nation we miss you D
R.I.P DaRrEnT WiLLiAmS YoU WiLl TrUlY Be MiSsEd By Me AnD MaNy OtHeR PpL ThAnKs FoR EvErYtHiNg AnD Of CoUrSe WhO CaN FoRgEt AbOuT ThE FrO HaWk ThAt’S WhAt ReAlLy BrOuGhT HiM OuT In My EyEs ReSt In PeAcE!!
Its always a sad, senseless tragedy when someone is taken in the prime of his life. In the coming days and weeks we will probably know in great detail what transpired New Year’s morning, and we may be able to construct the chain of events that will answer the “why”, but even so it will never make sense.
Darrent Williams had so much promise, not only in the insignificant game of football, but as a human being.
Ideally, I would liked to have been talking about him 10 years from now as a Bronco legend who along with Champ Bailey, Al Wilson, John Lynch, Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Javon Walker brought the Super Bowl back to Bronco Country. But since we were all robbed of such a fine man, I will always remember him as a tremendous guy with the heart of a champion.
D-Will, we miss you and you will always have a special place in our hearts.
“It ain’t fair you died to young, like a story that had just begun, but death tore the pages all away…” -Kenny Chesney
Everything said and expressed on this page is everything i feel and am saddened about just as much. moving from state to state im now out in massachusetts and the life and excitment d-will shared that even someone as far away as I could grasp onto shows how far this young man affected us all.
respectfully,
a very upset fan
rest well, rest in peace… uve been an inspiration to us all
To all the great fans,, it’s great to see how people come ogether in tragedy, to share our thoughts about someone we welcomed into our football hearts every Sunday for the last 2 yrs. ,, words cannot describe the hurt we feel ,, just knowing we lost a great person a great Player,, God bless D-Williams take care of him lord as he took care of us, we can only hope to be half as great as #27 ,, we know we must move on as life goes on but we will never forget this mess,, life is not a joke or a game yet people aproach it as if they are invincible… for the killers remember you will have to live knowing what you took from us,, and i hope u have rouble sleeping the rest of your days….
This was such a shock to wake up to. I’m glad I was able to watch him in person in Nov. Life is definitly too short. I’m very proud of him and what he brought to the Broncos. I agree Champ Bailey should wear his jersey in honor of him. I hope we soon get the answeres wer’e looking for. To his mother and children- I am so sorry for your loss. It would make him happy to see you smile though and celebrate his life. Always talk about him and keep his memory alive. He will always be with you. Sincerely, a Bronco’s fan in Utah Be at peace Darrent
This is a tragedy for the NFL Family.
Condolences to the Williams’ Family and the Denver Broncos…
A man who be a biggest part for this Big team
Rest in peace.
Mexican Bronco Fans are with you.
Darrent was one of my favorite players. I knew nothing about him until he got to the pros. I watched him play and i knew that he had extreme potential. I noticed that he was the next Champ Bailey. I loved the guy. He bailed me out so many times on Madden 07. I would play somebody like Keyshawn Johnson, who is 8 times taller than D Will, and he would make many catches on D Will but in the end it would be D Will pulling down an interception eventually to seal the victory for me. I offer my deepest condolence to the Bronco Family and the Williams family. D Will R.I.P.
“The tragic consequences of life can be overcome by the magical strength that resides in the human heart” Rudolfo Anaya
It always seems to catch us by surprise when such tragic events such as this occur. It just unbelievable that his life was cut so short at 24, it’s not fair and with all my heart and soul my thoughts and prayers go out not only to Darrent’s mother and children but also to the entire Denver Broncos family and continue to pray for him and hope that everyone will do the same. I also say a prayer for the unfortunate individual who committed this disgusting crime in hopes that he will come to terms with himself and the demons he has inside to realize what he did to such a beautiful individual. The following is a traditional Hopi prayer which is just a reminder that we should celebrate the wonderfull life of Darrent Williams just as he celebrated life everyday….with a smile.
Hopi Prayer
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint in the snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry:
I am not there,
I did not die.
Monike
He was everything an Nfl player should be , he cared about his fans, he loved the game and he loved his teamates. he was truly a player who played with heart and soul. I hope Champ wears #27 at the pro bowl cause theres no doubt D Will would have been there in the near future. R.I.P. #27 no doubt you were a star
I was at the game on New Year’s Eve and watched Darrent Williams play with the passion and heart that we Denver Bronco fans have come to know about him. I’m from So. California and this was my first trip to Denver. On my return to California, I was devastated when I learned about his murder. He was a tremendous asset to the Denver Broncos and he was admired by many for his talent and his professional play. My heart aches for his loss and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the Denver Broncos organization. May God’s light shine upon you as you go to your heavenly father. You will be missed!!!
R.I.P #27 D-Will.
You’ll be greatly missed by the Denver Broncos and all the fans.
I hope they find your killer(s) and bring them to justice.
We love you man! RIP Darrent!
The first time I saw Dwill was the first game of 05 season my beloved Broncos played the Miami Dolphins here in Miami. We lost that game badly but one thing that I will always remember was telling my friend who was a dolphins fan” you see #27 he going to be very special” And indeed he was, I never seen anyone play with a chip on his shoulder as Dee. Yeah he was a little small yeah he wasn’t the prototypical corner back. But what he lack in height he made up with his heart. We have lost a great person this first day of the 2007 year. But he will never be forgotten and will serve as an inspiration to me and to my family. Whenever I feel down and feel like giving up, I will think about Darrent and find the strength to keep fighting as he did! Thank you, Dee for your inspiration and your smile.
I hope we retire his number #27 in memory of our Hero Darrent Williams
Rest in Peace #27
They are looking for the suburban registered to some punk who is in jail for attempting to murder two women. I guess one of the women was murdered already days before she was to testify against this scumbag. It sounds like the cops are dealing with hardened ganstas who have no remorse and little conscience. It is my hope that they choose death by cop rather than a life sentance sucking up taxpayer dollars(though cowards usually give up without a fight). These animals deserve to suffer the same fate as the man they killed, for the man they killed is worth a hundred of them. I’ve decided to stop praying for justice and I am now wishing for retribution. Eye for an Eye. Tooth for a Tooth. These evil men need to die…simple as that. I’m not going to take any kind of liberal stance with these subhuman’s.
As this story unfolds more and more I find myself getting angrier. This country is at war with the wrong terrorists, we need to declare war on the domestic terrorists running the streets of every American city. How many more thousands must die in random, senseless attacks to our liberty and to our freedom to exist? I’m reminded to how close I came to meeting that fate as a teenager. I made the mistake of walking to the corner store for some food and I was lucky enough to only sustain a serious pistol whipping for walking on their sidewalk.
Then to hear some pompous liberal talk about enacting gun laws is absurd. All that would do is keep law abidding people from getting guns for protection. How many gangbangers purchase their weapons legally anyways?? It is times like these when one begins to lose faith in their government and nation. If it wasn’t for all the dozens of responses here I would have lost all hope. Now I only hope for the anger to again be replaced by remorse and my need for vengence to be replaced by common sense. But I am only human, and I don’t think I would be saddened to learn that the evil perpetrators of this henious crime were to die in a hail of gunfire by the Denver Police Department. Eye for an Eye.
My heart breaks for this brilliant young mans family! I hope only that the murderer gets his Karma back QUICK!
Oh, and…Darrents Light has NOT died, it lives on in all of us who loved him!
“As all that falls shall rise again, So our friend will be reborn”
Blessings to the Williams Family & to the Broncos Organization.
Allison Gamero
BRONCOS FAN!
Los Angeles, CA
After the loss to san francisco I thought that it was the worst thing going into 2007 not being able to watch my team win the super bowl. I was soo wrong about that. I purchased #27 jersey a month after Dee Will was drafted. one of my favorite broncos is gone but I wish that it was because of some kind of free agency or trade, not because some stupid punk who wanted to make a name for himself. I am a correctional officer and I hope that they bring this punk to me so that I can give him a welcoming that he deserves.
I would like to start by saying that my prayers and thoughts go to his 2 children, his family, the players and the coaches, and to all of the Denver Broncos organization. I find it hard to put into words the emotion I felt Monday after hearing of the loss of Darrent Williams. A flood of memerories of the day before watching DWill on the field, as my son and I watched on from sec. 504. The great returns, the alomst INT in the endzone. My heart just sank the next morning when I heard the news first from my wife. Not wanting to believe it, I turned on to Sportcenter only to have the truth unfolding before my eyes. This was a tragic event. My only way of dealing with this is with the hope and prayers that this person will be brought swiftly to JUSTICE.
Darrent Williams may not have been with the Broncos long, but for every ORANGE and BLUE sunrise and sunset I see will have the memories of a one #27 DARRENT WILLIAMS. R.I.P
all my love to the Broncos, especially Javon Walker, and Darrent’s family, especially his mother. Let Darrent’s spirit live on in all of us.
Thank you Andrew, and all those mourners who have contributed to such an inspiring and moving memorial to Darrent, especially Monike and her beautiful Hopi prayer.
I have watched Coach Shanahan’s emotional eulogy to Dee and was humbled by the love and courage it evoked in me.
Dee was indeed a shining light, a bright star that will forever be in our most precious memories. That he is in Heaven now I have no doubt.
I want to send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to Dee’s family and the Bronco’s Organisation at this tragic time. Dee is in my thoughts and prayers, as are all of you who are having to bear the great burden of his loss.
May God bless you all.
Rex Horwood
England
I was so happy to know that Darrent was a born again believer in Jesus Christ. He is indeed in God’s arms. May that knowledge comfort all who knew him and may you all look to the Lord during this time.
im not a broncos fan but I know that da williams was a real player for years. im so sad about that… he were a really good player and a good persone… so i will continue to pick him in madden…
RIP #27
It is so hard to express the saddness one feels over the loss of a life cut short by a senseless act. To his family may they find comfort in their memories of a special person. We know that he will forever watch over the people who mattered the most to him. We will pray for him, his family, and his football family.
In Shanahan’s interview he said about the funeral (to answer BroncoKathy’s question):
“The funeral services will take place on Saturday at the Great Commission Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Shanahan said that the entire team will attend, with an airplane to ferry players and members of the Broncos organization to the Metroplex for the afternoon service.”
It is truly sad to hear about DW! Darrent held my son at our first Bronco Game Together (My son and I), Darrent was very down to earth, loved my son he at the time was only 18 months olds.
Three years ago i made a bet with my wife if the broncos won the playoffs against the COLTS my sons name would have been Elway, Broncos didn’t my sons Name is Peyton.
But in memory of Darrent, we have a son on the way come Feburary 13th, we are going to name him Darrent, Because Darrent Williams, showed so much sprit to my son Peyton, didn’t let the being celebrity go to his head, very down to earth young man.
Maybe our new son can being your name back to the Broncos some day.
You will be missed #27 Darrent Williams, My family will never forget you, my heart goes out to Darrents family
So being from Boston i am a Patriots fan have been all my life but i also grew up loving the Broncos as my 2nd favorite team back with John Elway and TD. So i always try to catch as many games of the Broncos as i can. As a fan of the Pats playing against the Broncos lately has been a scary thing becuz of their Defense. One of the driving forces of the team and the defense was lost the other day. In a few interviews and a few things i have read about Darrent he seems like an amazing person as well as a skilled athlete. Loosing my cousin around the same age about a year ago i know that it is not fair to have to say goodbye to someone at such a young age. I send my heart out to His family and friends in Fort Worth along with everyone who was touched by him. Also the Bronco family. Darrent I hope your up there watching over your family and your in a better place. Rest in peace Darrent
One
Jeff aka Tru Thoughtz
For all the Bronco players, Broncos staff, Darrent Williams family and all reading this,
“No Bird Soars To High If He Soars With His Own Wings”
lets fly keep Darrent Memories alive for ever
Retire his number
Put him in the ring of fame
And It would be amazing to see Champ wear Darrent number at the Pro Bowl
As much as I hate to admit it, few things tend to bother me in this world, as far as sadness goes, Im Cold, and I keep things inside of me, Except, when one of our own is taken.. I’ll tell you one thing, theres a whole lot of bronco fans out ther, and with the right resources, would tear the man apart that had the audacity to kill another human being. A human being of our own, of the Broncos Family.. I am assured that God will take care of it all though, But tonight, whoever reads this… Pray for the Man(men) that killed Darrent Williams, Pray for not punishment, but for him to be cleansed of all of his sins…..Because I believe that is the best way to deal with it….
God Bless r_caleb2003@yahoo.com
Darrent Williams was a great athlete and a lot fun to watch on Sundays. This is a terrible loss and he will be missed. He had a passion for what he did and loved every minute on the field. I will miss his presence on my beloved Broncos, but that is not what is really important. I feel for his children that will grow up without a father. I feel for his mother that lost a son. I also feel for everyone that knew him as a person. This was a senseless death and I hope justice will be served.
#27,, this is my 3rd post is as many nights,, I watched a replay of the last gae i recorded because i had to work ,, i truly believe had i not been forced in to work early and could have watched the game with my mom which is a weekly ritual,, we would have pulled off some mile hi magic,, that’s how dedicated a fan i’am and everyone like me know what i’m saying, but to lose a Player with so much promise for the community and the team,, it’s hard to believe he’s gone so fast,, Champ my fav. player on the team it would be a tremendous oath to Dw,, if you represented him by wearing his jersey ,,,, as fans we need to push to get him in the ring of Fame,, and retire #27,, A man like Darrent more then deserves all of this,, we can only hope to live a full life and be happy like darrent was,, so many people go through life never take time to have fun or smile ,,, lastly to my team Go Broncos —I LOve my team
I have been heartsick and in shock over the devastating news of Darrent’s death ever since I first heard about it on the news. It is a senseless, horrific tragedy, and I hope those responsible for it are apprehended and prosecuted with the stiffest penalties possible.
I will very much miss Darrent’s “shining light” and wonderful sense of humor. My heart breaks for his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and my fellow fans, to whom I offer my deepest, most heartfelt condolences.
Darrent, may you rest in peace, surrounded by angels forever. We’ll miss you and never forget you! -M in CO
darrent williams was a terrible loss to denver and the nfl its sad to see such a good person die so young with a good future ahead of him and to see a family in pain as well as the whole community.
what a loss that has occured we will shed the tears with you and we will remember #27 as Darrent Willams always please retire this #27 on the first game that you play we will be behind you 100% we stand behind you through thick and thin Mike please do this for your fans after all no one is more loyal then the Denver Bronco fans
We as fans have truly suffered a loss. Though not known personally, Darrent is part of our big Bronco family. He will greatly be missed in the Pueblo community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family (both immediate and the Denver Broncos). God Bless Darrent! May his light shime down from paradise.
The Wright Family
Pueblo, CO
Darrent Willians..where can i begin to start about him. A wonderful son and a man surely true to his game. He will be greatly missed!!!.:*R.I.P Darrent Williams ..even though you’re gone big guy.. you will ALWAYS be in our hearts much love -Stacy
God this is tough!!!
Im a Denver Broncos fan in Tennessee!
What do you say about a player who had such a bright future!!!!! I just found out today that we share the same birthday, he is 9-27-82 i am 9-27-79, i knew there was more then just one reason he was one of my favorites on defense! The main thing i loved about Darrent was his I CAN DO ANYTHING attitude, but yet that smile and love for life showed you he is humble and always remembered where he came from!!!
This a SENSELESS and STUPID TRAGEDY and i wonder why it happened, and i hope and pray that the guilty will be brought to justice so that Darrents family can have closure if that is at all possible!! My prayers go out to DARRENTS FAMILY, Coach Shanahan, Mr. Bowlen, The Broncos Team….
DARRENT WILLIAMS, The Little MAN with the HEART of a LION!!!
R.I.P. #27 you will missed deeply and remembered as a BRONCO FOREVER!!!!
F.A.K……
Even though I didn’t personally know the great and inspirational man I felt that we had something in common, The Love Of Football. For 2 Great seasons and almost every sunday I got to know him a little by little. Like every Bronco fan I would get angry at Darrent and yell at the TV hoping he could hear me, although I knew he couldnt.
I just wish I wouldnt of yelled at him because now I know anger isn’t the solution.
R.I.P. Darrent Wiliams (DW, D Will)
i have followed the broncos ever since i was a kid… i am a senior in high school and when i woke up for practice on the 1st, my dad came in and said that he had the worst news for the me and the Broncs… he told me that DW was shot in a drive by.. i was not only shocked but i was struck with so much anger i wanted to take a trip to Denver and hunt who ever did this myself…
Darrent Williams was one of the best in my book… ever since he was drafted in 2005.. he played with intensity and heart, he was one of, if not the smallest cornerback in the league… he wasn’t affraid of anything (you could see it from the way he played)… he was a good man and the team will never fill the shoes that were left by DW. ever time i saw DW he always had a smile..
Critics said he couldn’t do it, he was too small, he was the weak side of the defense, but the truth be, he not only could do it.. he did do it, he might have been small in size but he made up for it in Heart and Soul… There was no WEAK side of the Denver defense… he overcame all the obstacles that were set in his path of becoming a Great Football Player… and for those Critics that said he was too small, haven’t you ever heard that in Football the SHORTEST or the LOWER man Wins…
This whole Tragedy makes me think about life… a family member of the team (coaches, players, Fans) was lost.. it could have happened to anybody Anywhere… it could have happened to Anybody on that team, but it didn’t it happened to DW… we ask why him, or why not me, or somebody else…
but We have to remember That God has a Unfailing Plan.. No matter how bad we want to change it, We Can’t… We Never know the reason from the start but everything happens for a reason… Good or Bad… maybe the reason is to show everybody that life is short and we have to live it to the fullest… maybe it had nothing to do with that… it could be anything.. but we are going to have to learn to live with it, Not Forget Him, But Remember Him Forever and Always with the same Heart that he had for the Game and his Entire Bronco Family… Take it One Day At A Time…
To His Family: My Prayers go out to his son and daughter, when the time comes Make the right decisions and make him Proud because There Are Holes in The Floor of Heaven and He is Watching Over YOU… and his mother i believe it would be hard to lose a son… May God Bless You…
To The Team: Champ even if you don’t wear #27 in the probowl… Every tackle, Every Interception, Everything you do… Do it For DW, Same goes for John… The team with have a tough time Fillng the Shoes left by Williams but get a guy that is going to try his hardest to fill them, on and off the feild… you boys need to get over this tragedy in the off-season and when next Season rolls in… start every game and end every game with fire, do the little things, and Play Your Hardest for Darrent Williams… go to the ‘Ship and Dedicate it to Him and His Family…
To Darrent Williams: Rest In Peace and may God Bless You, Take You In and Send Down His Healing Hand… Thank You For Two Awesome Season’s of Memories.. Bronc for EVER, We Miss You and Will Always Remember You…
REST IN PEACE 27
epko
To all the Denver Bronco team mates and to his family in Texas. May God be with you all and hold you close to his heart. Darrent will be missed, but not forgotten. I called him (My little guy) I will always keep you in my thoughts #27. May you rest in peace.
Your #1 fan from Albuquerque, NM
To everyone who ever knew Darrent or was ever a fan of his, may God bless you and help you through this hard time. Know that people all across America are praying for you and you are not alone in grieving the loss of a very special and talented young man. May you rest in peace #27 and may you always be a Bronco.
I can not begin to express how i feel about this tragedy!! I am speechless!! I come from a little town in the middle of Kansas where everyone within 100 miles is a Chiefs fan. This hit me close to the heart and i will never forget Darrent! I would like to let the entire Williams family know that they raised an amazing man and he will be missed greatly. There is not a night i don’t pray that they find the ones behind this. God has a very special person up there. May you rest in peace Darrent Williams and know that you will be missed by many. You will always be a BRONCO in my heart.
We will miss you #27 and may you rest in peace!
Your Biggest Fan from Kansas
Keegan Knox
ever since i saw the broncos win the superbowl when i was five i loved them some people just like a team when there winning but i dont do that i was always mad at the media for never paying as much attention to darrent as they did to champ. i ♥ champ and all but its not a one man team. when i found out about this i cried a little bit and thought of how sad i would be if i had actually known darrent in real life. it disgusts me that somebody would do that to such a young talanted player. i now live in iowa where everyone is a cheifs, packers, bears, or vikings fan. i ♥ to be one of the only broncos fans here and to show the pride that the broncos have.
we will miss you #27
your biggest fan
Alex
My heart and prayers are extended to the Williams family. In a world where gun violence once again raises it’s ugly head, it is a shame that we lose another person from this senseless act. Darrent Williams played with a big heart and his presence will always be felt around the Broncos locker room as well as all Broncos fans. I know you are in a better place now and rest assure that you will forever be loved…R.I.P #27
My heart goes out to the Williams family, Broncos team and my fellow Bronco fan community. I can’t believe that this has happened. I keep thinking about Darrent, a young man, energetic, kind and full of potential. He had his whole life ahead of him and it was taken away in such a senseless way. I have been in schock since early Monday morning and glued to the TV. I feel like that friend saying “but i just saw him”. I have been a Bronco fan for several years and oh how I love watching “my guys” play on Sunday. I will miss seeing Darrent play and witnessing what could have been. God Bless you Darrent Williams #27. You will not be forgetten.
Jazmin
we are deeply saddened by this loss. Darrent was so full of potential and it’s unfair that he was taken before he could prove how much greater he could have become. He was a great asset to the Denver Broncos team and it will be sad not to see him play every Sunday. Our condolences go out to the Williams Family as well as the Broncos Organization. We will miss you deeply #27. Rest In Peace D-Will
[...] Here is a great remembrance and tribute to slain Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams. Williams was murdered early New Year’s Day in a drive-by shooting. tags:darrent williams denver broncos Football News shooting tribute Filed under Football News by Karen. Permalink • Print • Email [...]
this is my second writing i just wanted to say i hope they catch D- WILL killer and i hope HE CAN BURN IN HELL!!!!! we all love you darrent rest in peace your spirit will always be felt by your players coaches , family and all your fans at MILE HIGH!!! bronco nation …
love ya man!!!
My heart and prayers Go out to the entire Williams family and to all my brothers and sisters in BroncoMania (MB). Darrent your fire will burn in all of us forever. We love you!!! God bless!!!
I just wanted to pay my respects to the man that until a week ago I thought would become the strongest core of the Denver defense in years to come. He had the biggest heart of any professional athlete that I can remember and was being mentored by possibly the best cornerback ever in Champ Bailey.
To his family I want to send my heartfealt condolences and let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Javon Walker, the Broncos Organization and every Bronco fan anywhere!
I knew he was an amazing athlete with an amazing personality, but did not realize how amazing he was as an individual until this week. His laid work and future desires to give back to the community really made my heart bleed. Why do we seem to lose so many of the good and so few of the bad? It is just not right that such an amazing father, son, grandson, nephew, cousin and our beloved Bronco would lose his life to people who are not even worth the air in their lungs.
To his children, my thoughts center upon you. I lost my father in a plane crash 3 months before my birth at Stapleton in Denver, CO. I never had a chance to meet my father who worked for NASA and McDonald Douglas, but I know that many held him in such high regard and it has troubled me from time to time. Through my life I have taken comfort in knowing that my father had such a positive impact on so many others during his 33 years in this world. I followed his footsteps into aviation and have 2 classes to finish my MBA, currently with a 4.0. I know that you will find comfort that your father in the brief 24 years in this world has impacted so many so profoundly. God bless you and always try to live with your father’s passion and humor.
I recently was blessed with a gift from God, my amazing little mini me. His middle name is Dennis, named after my father.
Surrounded by Packer fans in Appleton, WI
Grainne, Conor Dennis, and Chris