There are times when the games simply don’t matter, when winning and losing are but luxuries compared to the things that last.
Games come and go. The people who play them are so much more important than the results.
From time to time, circumstances arise which jar us back to that reality. Things happen that force us to again remember that perhaps our zeal overtakes the need to keep the important things in focus and in perspective.
This is such a time.
The sudden passing of wide receiver Kenny McKinley leaves a void, a hole where a vibrant young man and talented football player once resided.
Now, we are left in the agonizing place of living with unanswered questions and wondering what might have been.
That is the toughest part.
I didn’t know Kenny McKinley. I do remember the preseason opener in August of 2009, his rookie year. Kenny caught a 52-yard touchdown pass late in the Broncos’ 17-16 loss to the 49ers and I had the chance to talk with him in the locker room after the game.
Even though his team lost, Kenny enjoyed the moment afterwards. He was in the NFL. He scored a touchdown. He was all smiles. And it made me wonder how good he was going to be.
Now, we’ll never know.
McKinley joins cornerback Darrent Williams and running back Damien Nash as Broncos who recently left us way too early. It just shouldn’t happen this way. There is nothing fair about it.
But wishful thinking doesn’t get one through adversity. The Broncos have had more than their fair share of adversity the last few years. It seems incredible that something like this has happened again. How much can one organization take in such a short time?
Apparently for the Broncos, at least this much. The organization, the team, and the people who make up both, will come through this. And they will come through it together. In the process, they will become stronger.
I don’t know how many wins that will equate to. But that really doesn’t matter anyway.
Please feel free to post your best wishes to the Broncos during this tough time. I know they appreciate hearing from you fans.
Thanks for reading and posting. I’ll get back to writing about the season in my next post.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: 2010, Damien Nash, Darrent Williams, Denver Broncos, Kenny McKinley, Mike Rice
Mike,
Thanks for the post! Sad day for Kenny’s family. Mike can you shed some light to maybe what the guys week will look like? I mean it seems that we have more than our share of tragedies around the organization. Now what? I mean I know the Colts are coming regardless on Sunday. What will the organization do to help the guys through this week?
I hope I don’t come across like it’s only about football, however it’s a sport that will go on whether we want it to or not. I know Mr. B is a super great owner that does things the right way, I’m just curious what that support system is going to look like seeings it’s in the middle of regular season.
thanks
It really is sad that this kid is gone from our lives. Before this season i was really looking forward to seeing this guy play and was upset to find that he was on injured reserve. But now, none of that matters. Kenny McKinley will be missed. R.I.P. Broncos: Play inspired, and play for this man on Sunday.
Broncfalls…unlike the Williams and Nash tragedies which happened during a time when the Broncos did not have any games to play, they do have a game this week.
At this point, I’m not sure what this week will look like. I’m not sure anybody does yet. Clearly the team has to work through this situation while also preparing to play this week and many more after that.
The players’ regular day off is today (Tuesday) and they are scheduled to return to practice on Wednesday. I wish I had more details but at this point, that is all we know.
You made a good point, though. Mr. Bowlen is one of the best owners in sports for many reasons. Working through these types of situations is one of those reasons. He will absolutely do the right thing for all involved and this will be handled with class and dignity, for sure.
Mike
This is so sad and tragic. My condolences go out to his family, friends and his teammates. Sometimes it seems as though someone upstairs doesn’t like the Broncos. Hopefully everyone can come together and cope with this tragedy.
RIP McKinley
This is a terrible tragedy for our team, the timing couldn’t be any worse. Like Mike and Broncfalls say, good thing Bowlen is here. Plus he has some experience with this sort of things and will do all the right things, but as far as the game is concerned unfortunately McD has no experience that I know of in the matter, hopefully he will know to do the right things, get al lot of advice about how to go about doing what, that would be my advice to McD, this is not like usual where McD’s way is the only way, he needs guidance from coaches who have been through this, I hope he looks for it and finds it. RIP McKinley.
And thank you for posting that big smile of Kenny that we keep hearing about.
Sending good vibes and prayers to Kenny’s Family, Friends, Teammates, entire Broncos Organization, Fans, and anyone else associated with the Denver Broncos and South Carolina Gamecoks. They say strength and prayer works in numbers. So we all must try to lean on each other during this difficult time.
So many people are questioning “Why” and that really don’t matter bc it’s still won’t bring him back. Hold your head up Gamecocks and Broncos Nation bc we will get through this with God and each other!
Death is a very narrow theme, but it reaches a wide audience.
Rest in peace Kenny McKinley. Broncos Country mourns yet again
Very very saddened to see someone go like this. This will be an even more tough week for the team, I can only hope they’ll get through it and honor McKinley with a big win.
We’ll miss you Kenny. God bless his family.
Mile High Salute to #11.
Thanks Mike
Actually my thoughts and prayers go out to individuals like yourself as well Mike. As a fan, I fall in love with what I see on t.v. I fall in love for the organization’s sense of importance, pride and passion. The players I root and cheer for are the same ones that you and many others cover and report on. There no doubt is a bond there. As a fan of the best sports organization in the world, my prayers go out not only to Kenny’s family but his friends, his team mates and associates of this organization as well.
RIP Kenny
God Bless to the Mckinley family.
RIP Kenny Mckinley.
Life is so precious,we should be thankful every morning we open our eyes that we get to live another day,I don’t know why Kenny done it,but I do know he will be missed by all.R.I.P……hope you’re catching passes from the guy upstairs #11.
I was really excited when the Broncos drafted Kenny. I had watched some South Carolina games and was familiar with Kenny and his game. I knew that Coach Spurrier spoke very highly of him and that, in itself, spoke volumes to me. I was very disappointed when he was put on injured reserve, but that pales in comparison to the disappointment and sadness that I feel now. Suicide is such a confusing and painful thing for those left behind to deal with. May his family, friends, and teammates find strength in the darkness. Rest in peace, #11. Bronco Nation bows our collective head in memory and in grief.
Tom Brandstater was to help Kenny out and help him with his dept and that was true meaning of friendship right there helping a friend in. RIP Kenny.