The Denver Broncos announced Monday that the organization will collaborate with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver on a long-term legacy project to honor the memory of Darrent Williams. The Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center will open in early 2008 as an expansion to the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club in Montbello and serve significantly more children in need.

An important part of this legacy effort is the creation of a 7-foot, life-size bronze of Darrent Williams sculpted by world renowned artist Ed Dwight and generously funded by community members Doug Morton and his wife, Marilyn Brown.

"My wife Marilyn and I are thrilled to support the new DWMTC with this sculpture," Morton said. "Reverend Leon Kelly of Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives has led us to understand the importance of helping children learn how to improve their lives through programs available to them."

As the sculpture is created over the next four months, Dwight will involve a group of teens from the new Teen Center in the entire process so that they can learn the craft and also own the project.

The sculpture is scheduled to be completed and displayed at the time the doors first open to the new Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center. Rich Barrows, who has been the director of the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club since it opened in 2003, is nationally known for his work to advance the dreams of teens and will bring this expertise to the new programming of the Center, serving more and more kids in the Montbello community and in the metro area at large.

For more information on this legacy project, please visit the community section of www.DenverBroncos.com or contact Broncos Vice President of Community Development Cindy Galloway-Kellogg at (720) 258-3842. To learn more about Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, please visit www.positiveplacedenver.org.

The blood-stained shirt remains unwashed...

I find several aspects of the interview interesting, and once again credit the Broncos for allowing Javon to deal with it as he saw fit, and not the team.  Javon mentions that he did not want to play for the Broncos after the tragedy, a likely reaction, and had the Broncos forced Javon in any way, there's a good chance he would have kept that feeling.

You get the real sense, just through reading teh words, that Javon was truly afraid and honestly still could be afraid for his life.  

The fact that J.W. has yet to wash the blood-stained clothes gives us a glimpse inside the world of Walker.  His make-shift vigil to Darrent Williams is going to be a symbol of strength for Walker, propelling him for the rest of his career.

It reads like it is going to be a moving interview, one that I won't miss for anything.  I also can tell that I will respect Javon Walker even more, and no matter what jersey he wears in the future I will always root hard for his success.

There will be much talk in the weeks to come about what the Broncos plan to do to remember their fallen teammates as we close in on the start of the 2007 season.  While we still don't know everything the Broncos might do on the field the team made a major announcement regarding how it plans to remember Darrent Williams off of it.

Check out the Fine Piece written by J. Michael Moore over at Denver Broncos.com.  I don't want discredit Williams' memory or the Broncos tribute by trying to spin poetic about it so I will bring you some of the finer points --

Funds to cover construction of the teen center are coming form numerous sources including last week's Mike Shanahan Golf Classic and sales of the recently approved Orange Colorado License Plates which will donate to the cause for every set of plates sold through December.

We all know the Broncos are a classy organization.  Classy to the players, classy to the fans, classy to the community.  It's good to know that they stay classy to those who have fallen as well, letting us know that gone is not forgotten.

In another move to assist in the lives of the children Darrent Williams left behind, Troy Asmus, Williams' agent announced he will be auctioning off the Super Bowl tickets and the room Williams had booked at a posh Miami Beach resort, with proceeds benefitting the kids --

From the Denver Post --

Fans will get a chance to experience the Super Bowl the way Darrent Williams was planning.

The Super Bowl tickets owned by Williams and five nights at a luxurious Miami Beach resort Williams was planning to stay in while in Miami are being auctioned on eBay. All profits of the auction will go directly to the Darrent Williams Children's Fund set up by the Broncos.

Williams, 24, was shot and killed in the early hours of Jan. 1 near downtown Denver, a victim of an unsolved drive-by shooting. Williams had two children: Darius, 7, and Jaelyn, 4.

"This is another avenue to help the kids as they go forward," said Troy Asmus, one of Williams' agents.

Asmus received approval from the NFL, the NFL Players Association and the Broncos to auction the tickets. Williams had a stay booked at the Fontainebleau Resort at Miami Beach from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5. Bids will be available through Sunday night. The approximate costs for the tickets and lodging are close to $3,500. The hope is to double that total, at the least, during the auction to help the children.
 

In a story that sems to change hourly, the Denver Post is reporting that Denver Police believe that the man they have in custody as a 'person of interest' was in fact in the SUV that fired shots that killed Darrent Williams, though he was not the trigger man.

Willie Clark, a 23-year old gang banger, has been in custody on a parole violation since last week.  Police have not veriifed the Post report, but it is believed that Police are closing in a as many as two more arrests in the case.

The Broncos organization and players, attempting to jump start the investigation into Darrent Williams' murder have raised $100,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

The investigation has been hampered by the thought that possible witnesses are fearful for their safety, and the traditional $2,000 reward issued through CrimeStoppers of Denver was not enough to ease that fear.

It is nice to see Pat Bowlen and the Broncos' Organization put it's wallet where it's mouth is.  Bowlen stated at the funeral that his #1 objective now was finding justice for Darrent and his family.  100 Grrr will go a long way towards finding justice.

In other news from the Williams case, the man being held as a "person of interest" in the case, 23-year old Willie Clark is growing frustrated with being held by police, and his attorney is seeking his release.  Michael Andre has stated his client knows nothing about the Williams shooting, and when asked if his client has been questioned about the case, Andre refused to say, "We are not discussing anything related to his potential cooperation as we do not want to create a perception that could endanger his life or his presumption of innocence,"  In other words, if I say he has, the gangs will kill him, and if I say he hasn't, the gangs will kill him.  Bad position to find your self in.

The cold, hard truth is someone knows something, and I hope the added incentive that 100 grand can give someone will be enough to get the ball rolling.

There has been a Javon Walker sighting, though the when and where seem a bit odd.  Walker and teammate Champ Bailey were seen at Tryst, a nightclub in the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas last Thursday night.

Walker told the team that "he needed to get away from Denver for awhile".  The pair left Denver after the private memorial service last Wednesday.  Bailey accompanied the team to Fort Worth, TX for the funeral service while Walker informed teammates that he wouldn't be able to handle it.

Let me just say that I am in no position to advise anyoe how they shouls handle a situation like this, nor am I judging Javon Walker.  I just know that the nightclub scene would have an effect on me as well, and it might be something I would have to avoid for awhile.

I hope Javon is finding the stregth to get through this and wish him the best.

         

Can someone tell me what the hell happened last night? As I have stated before I am a big Ohio State fan, living in the Buckeye state for the past 25+ years. I wasn't expecting a blowout in any way shape or form, but I thought the Bucks would get the W.

I was a bit off to say the least. There is no doubt that the loss of Ted Ginn Jr. played a huge role in the game, but Florida was simply too fast, too strong, and too prepared.

Hats off to Urban Meyer, an Ohio guy, for getting it done in such a short time, eeriliy similar to Tressel's championship in 2003, doing it with another coach's recruits. The challenge for Meyer, as it was for Tressel, is to recruit strong and keep the Gators in the national spotlight.

To get a SBNation view, check out the AROUND THE OVAL for Ohio State chatter, and SWAMP BALL for the take from Florida.

One Bronco absent from the cermony was Javon Walker who decided to stay behind.  Walker was with Williams when he was killed and according to Shanny is having a hard time dealing with what happened.

Javon is struggling," coach Mike Shanahan said after the service. "He's going through some very heavy grief right now and I talked to Champ (Bailey) about him. He's been with him for the last couple of days. He's going through a tough time. But I'm sure with everybody's support, he'll make it through it all right."

The Broncos returned to Denver right after the ceremony.  Though none of us will ever forget D-Wil, it is my hope we might be able to start moving forward.  Perhaps Mr. Bowlen said it best, "I told Rosalind Williams the best way to honor her son was to go out and win Super Bowl XLII."

Photo Courtesy of the AP

Thousands poured into the ceremony, which was held at Great Commission Baptist Church Friday Night.  In situations like this, things usually get harder before they get easier, and I am certain that was the case in William's home town, where he was able to escape the tough streets, only never to forget his roots.

During the funeral tomorrow many of Williams teammates are expected to speak, including Pat Bowlen, Mike Shanahan and Al Wilson, among others.  

As far as the investigation, the DENVER POST is reporting that Denver Police have made an arrest that could be related to the shooting.  Willie Clark, 23, was arrested at about 5:45 p.m. Friday by the Denver police department's fugitive unit, according to Sonny Jackson, Denver police spokesman.  The reason for the arrest was classified as a "parole violation", but a spokesman confirmed that Clark was being questioned about the case.

A tip of the hat to the DPD, who seem to be working this case expeditiously, while being thorough at the same time.   Hopefully it won't be too long until Darrent Williams and his family get justice....

Photo Courtesy of DFW.com and the DFW Star-Telegram

I have to tip my cap to the National Football League.  In light of the Darrent William tragedy the league has shown that it has it's priorities in order.

First came word that the Commissioner, Roger Goodell, would be in attendance at the funeral service tomorrow.  Could you imagine David Stern or Bud Selig missing playoff games in their respective leagues to attend a funeral?  Vice president of player development Mike Haynes and NFL vice president of public relations Greg Aiello are also expected to attend.

In addition to the league office, representatives from other NFL teams and Oklahoma State, where Williams played college ball, as well as the NFL Players Association are expected to attend.

If all of that weren't enough, it was brought to my attention(hat tip to Broncette) that the NFL announced it was returning the $15,000 fine Williams received for arguing with officials near the end of the November 19th game with San Diego.  The money will go to the Williams family, most likely to the Children's Fund.  The NFL didn't have to do this.  And while 15 grand is nothing to a multi-billion dollar giant like the NFL it is huge to that family and those kids, and the NFL showed why it is the best of the major sports leagues in this country.

Well done, Roger Goodell, Well done National Football League