Remembering Darrent Williams: Five Years Later

by John Bena on Dec 31, 2011 8:54 PM MST in Darrent Williams News

The cycle of time rolls on, whether it is the NFL or life in general. On days and nights like this day, and this night, however, we often stop, albeit for just a moment, to think back - to the prior year and further - before we take the time to look ahead.

For Broncos fans, New Years Eve will always hold a somber meaning - even if we take the time to celebrate the life that was Darrent Williams.

It was five years ago tonight when Williams was gunned down as his Hummer Limo drove away from a nightclub where the Broncos, and several other athletes, were celebrating the New Year, and Williams' record label, RYNO Records. The man charged with the crime has seen his day in court, being found guilty. It offers some closure to Williams' family and friends, but can never bring D-Will back. You can read all about that night - and the events that followed - by checking out the Section on MHR dedicated to it.

DARRENT WILLIAMS NEWS

The Broncos had lost earlier that day, to the San Francisco 49ers, in a game that would have put the Broncos into the playoffs had they won. They did not, and Williams had been the focus of criticism for his play, in that game and in games prior that season (a certain game against the Colts comes to mind). While fans were trying to decipher what went wrong in a season that started with so much promise, a man, a son, a father, lost his life in a senseless way.

In a lot of ways the Broncos, and us fans, have never been the same and never will be. Scars like that, and those caused by the death of RB Damien Nash a couple months later, don't heal quickly.

This post isn't meant to bring anyone down. Darrent wouldn't want that. He would have a big smile on his face and would want you to celebrate the things in life there are to celebrate - family, friends, and of course, the Broncos.

So as you head out tonight, be safe, and tip a glass of whatever you are drinking to the heavens and think of D-Will. Somewhere he is smiling down.

No matter what happens Sunday - whether the Broncos win or lose, make the playoffs or fall painfully short again, remember that it is, after all, just a game.

ALL READY!!

Tweet Comment 32 comments | 11 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm Ready!!!

I had thought of him a couple of times already tonight. Thanks Bena for this.

The best of the 2011-2012 season is yet to come.

by Digger24 on Dec 31, 2011 9:00 PM MST reply actions

ALL READY!!!

I can’t help but think of him this time of year. He was a very promising CB who will always be missed.

Floyd Little: HOF Class of 2010.

2009-10 back-to-back NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009-10 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Dec 31, 2011 9:18 PM MST reply actions

RIP DWill

All Ready!!!

Respect is not given it is earned dog gonit...and they don't respect us...nobody respects us... you know what you got to do in that situation? TAKE IT!!!!!
Follow @MHR_Troy

by Troy Hufford on Dec 31, 2011 9:19 PM MST reply actions

ALL READY!

Here’s a toast to you Darrent… we’ll always have that big hole in our heart for you.

None of us go out and play for stats. You just do whatever you can to help the team out. -- Eddie Royal

Follow @BroncosFan1984

by Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan on Dec 31, 2011 9:29 PM MST reply actions

RIP DWill

Very promising corner and Excellent return man…

by BroncosFaN88 on Dec 31, 2011 9:29 PM MST via mobile reply actions

I still have the Sports Illustrated story

Link

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow @MHR_KaptainKirk
KaptainKirk on FaceBook

by KaptainKirk on Dec 31, 2011 9:50 PM MST reply actions

Thanks KK

Better to be quiet and thought of as ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt

by broncofaninIL on Jan 1, 2012 12:06 AM MST up reply actions

Yep, no matter how much you read that thing you still walk away shaking your head.

Foxy...you WERE on the hot seat, but you fooled me you rascally old deveil...keep building that team mate!

"Tebow is a special player. I have never seen a player quite like him in my whole career! I’m gonna play all out for the guy! I know he will be out there giving 110% every play every week, so I’m gonna give 120%!:

Champ Bailey.

by boydy2669 on Jan 1, 2012 7:18 AM MST up reply actions

RIP DWill

"When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back." - "Miracle".

"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." - Vince Lombardi.

by broncoholic on Dec 31, 2011 9:53 PM MST reply actions

Hope to meet you one day Bro....

Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Dec 31, 2011 10:07 PM MST reply actions

I'm glad one of the men responsible will theoretically spend the next 1152 years behind bars.

Follow @MHR_TimLynch

by Tim Lynch on Dec 31, 2011 10:08 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

+1

RIP DWill.

by Matt In Canada on Dec 31, 2011 11:46 PM MST up reply actions

What a sad day that was

I know Champ Bailey will fire up the D tomorrow…win one for D-Will and send the Broncos back to the postseason All-Ready!!!

by knoepke84 on Dec 31, 2011 10:50 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Thanks for the post John

All Ready!!!! RIP DWill…you are truly missed by many

Better to be quiet and thought of as ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt

by broncofaninIL on Jan 1, 2012 12:06 AM MST reply actions

Love it

He was a special guy, and definitely one of my favorite players at the time of his death. Thanks for the write up, Bena.

I have my freedom, but I don't have much time.

by HorsesWild on Jan 1, 2012 12:42 AM MST via mobile reply actions

The SI story was one of Deadspin’s “10 Stories That Didn’t Suck” from 2011. Just unbelievable how that night went.

One of my favorite things in life is something called “The 4 Agreements” by don Miguel Ruiz.
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.

This is something that I use in my classroom. Like I tell my students – the prisons are full of people that took things personally. Learn to see the fact that what most people do or say is a reflection of them, not your. Willie Clark took things personally that night. It was ridiculous and sad, and a young man lost his life (and 2 others will walk around with bullets in their body for the rest of their lives) because of it.

Don’t take anything personally. Something that is hard to work on, but is absolutely true. RIP Darrent. Rosalind, D-Will’s fiancee, and D-Will’s kids, we’re all thinking of you. You all hold a special place in the hearts of every citizen of Broncos Country. Thank you for your contributions in your short career.

Whiskey tends to make me high, and sad songs make me cry. Pretty women break my heart almost every night. I run on beans and nicotine; I'm a real, live buckaroo. And my heart's not pure, my boots ain't clean, and I never tell the truth.

Follow @wtnelson970

by wtnelson on Jan 1, 2012 1:36 AM MST reply actions 3 recs

Great comment my friend

I love the Four Agreements (and his new fifth agreement). I do my best to abide by them.

Follow @theorangepage

"A man without enemies is a man without qualities." Al Capone

"Literature is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to people who have none." - Jules Renard.

by IanHenson on Jan 1, 2012 1:44 AM MST up reply actions

My wife showed me Ruiz a while ago, and those are great mantras to live by. Great post.

RIP DWill, peace and goodwill to your family.

Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime.
"As a quarterback, all you want is an opportunity to lead your team to victory" - Tim Tebow

by azbroncomaniac on Jan 1, 2012 7:51 AM MST up reply actions

I will remember

For a long time I will remember that time Darrent and Champ switched coverages in the AFC Divisional Game against the Patriots and Bailey came up with that great interception.

See, since Darrent we’ve always been trying to find someone who could actually co-exist and equal Champ. There really isn’t a lot of replacing that can be done. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I can say it would be great to honor the young man who fell far too early with a win and a Super Bowl run this season.

Hope that everyone has a Happy New Year.

Follow @theorangepage

"A man without enemies is a man without qualities." Al Capone

"Literature is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to people who have none." - Jules Renard.

by IanHenson on Jan 1, 2012 1:40 AM MST reply actions

Tom Waddle needs to be rebuked

if the Broncos defy his expectations and make the playoffs. If we win, I want everybody to call the Waddle and Silvy show in Chicago during the week and call him a moron. GO BRONCOS!!!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Jan 1, 2012 2:09 AM MST reply actions

unless this is 1985

i’m not worried about what bears people know about the playoffs. sorry tom.

by oxmouth on Jan 1, 2012 2:19 AM MST up reply actions

It'll be ok Bradfather...

I live in the Chicago area and whether it’s Silverman or Waddle it won’t matter what the Broncos do…they’ll come up with something to take away from the win or rub in the loss…let it go. Trust me it’s not worth it.

Especially after reading the DWill piece…they really don’t matter my friend.

Better to be quiet and thought of as ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt

by broncofaninIL on Jan 1, 2012 2:26 AM MST up reply actions

Agreed.....if I wanted to hear from assholes I would fart...wasting time on failed hacks like Waddle is like riding an exercise bike.....something to do but wont get you anywhere. Happy New year crew!

Foxy...you WERE on the hot seat, but you fooled me you rascally old deveil...keep building that team mate!

Champ Bailey.

by boydy2669 on Jan 1, 2012 7:21 AM MST up reply actions

hahaha, well said Boydy. And back at ya and to all Bronco Country with a Happy New Year.

Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime.
"As a quarterback, all you want is an opportunity to lead your team to victory" - Tim Tebow

by azbroncomaniac on Jan 1, 2012 7:49 AM MST up reply actions

it's true

I guess the thing that really angered me was he said the Raiders would break down the door and win the AFC West when we supposedly choke because San Diego has nothing to play for. In all honesty, neither does Kansas City, what a moron but a win covers a multitude of sins

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Jan 1, 2012 9:03 AM MST up reply actions

Show me something

I’m a big Broncos fan, season ticket holder, blah, blah ,blah. But come on, this team has to stop giving up big plays and start making more, that is what will shut everyone up. This game is going to speak for the Broncos this year, are they a fluke or for real

by Baghdad on Jan 1, 2012 3:20 AM MST reply actions

RIP DWill

W-L record doesn't matter to me.... I just want to see a team on the rise at the end of the year!

by Broncotodd on Jan 1, 2012 7:13 AM MST reply actions

"When I grow up I wanna be just like Champ" - DWill

That quote always brought a tear to my eye. Such a good kid with his eye set on the moon.

by jimmyray on Jan 1, 2012 9:29 AM MST reply actions

Well

off to Church for now, got the NFL on DVR, I want Sunday Ticket long term. GO BRONCOS!!!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Jan 1, 2012 9:48 AM MST reply actions

PLEASE, LET'S GET OVER THE DAMN HUMP OF LOSING TO S.F. AND THEN LOSING DARRENT WILLIAMS.

I don’t mean any disrespect by that. I just mean that 5 years ago we woke up still reeling from getting knocked out of the playoffs with the tragic news of him getting gunned down. This to me was as low of a day as I have ever had as a Bronco fan. That includes the SB blowouts. Today I’m hoping for as high of a day as I’ve ever had. Just about an impossible task to beat “Back To Back”, “This one’s for John”. However after what we’ve been though the last 5 years and the ride Tebow has taken us on so far this year, I’m saying there’s a chance this could be as high as I’ve been as a Bronco fan if we just get an AFC West crown today with an ass whooping of Orton. At least as high as I’ve been in almost 13 years now.

The best of the 2011-2012 season is yet to come.

by Digger24 on Jan 1, 2012 10:34 AM MST reply actions

Mc d would have traded him

by broncosfaninphilly on Jan 1, 2012 12:02 PM MST via mobile reply actions

I lived literally two blocks away from where he was killed

I had a party that night to celebrate New Year’s, and me and some buddies went out on my porch for a smoke. We heard several “pops,” and one of us joked “someone just got shot.” That area of Denver is pretty safe, so we didn’t think anything like that would actually happen. We just assumed it was fireworks. The next day I drove down 11th Avenue to drive a friend home, and I saw police tape and the bullet-riddled limo. I called a buddy and asked if he knew what happened, and he told me the news.

I walked to work everyday at that time in my life, on a route that took me down 13th Avenue to the 16th Street Mall. For the next three weeks, I walked down 11th instead, so I could pass by the makeshift memorial set up for Darrent – once on the way to work, once on the way back. There was almost always at least one person there, placing flowers, kneeling down or scrawling a message on the poster board set up at the scene.

I probably would have done the same if it was a “regular” person killed, not a sports superstar. But the fact he was a Bronco made it all the more significant, as I felt like I knew him.

by Irishrep on Jan 1, 2012 1:09 PM MST reply actions