Remembering Darrent Williams

photo courtesy: Associated Press

The Broncos have been my first football love since I was a little girl. I have been through the highest highs and the lowest lows with them. While Super Bowl losses have been heartbreaking, no loss has been more tragic as the loss of Darrent Williams.

After Elway's retirement, the team went through some serious peaks and valleys for many years and finally seemed to have found their way under Jake Plummer. During this time the team's biggest defensive asset was cornerback Champ Bailey. Bailey was a true shutdown corner who was a consistent threat in the passing game. Teams however figured out that they just needed to throw away from Bailey to keep plays going. All that changed in 2005.

In 2005 the Broncos drafted Darrent Williams in the second round. Williams was a stand out star at Oklahoma State. He finished his college career with 11 career interceptions and nine touchdowns on return.  His presence was welcome in a secondary in need of help on the other side of Bailey. Williams would not disappoint. In Week 10 of just his first season in the league, Williams scored his first pick six. He finished the season with 58 tackles and two interceptions and was named first team All-Rookie by Pro Football Weekly. The kid was a dynamo with immense capability and huge potential.

In his second season with the Broncos, Williams picked up where he left off. In 15 games he racked up 86 tackles and four interceptions as well as serving as the team's primary punt and kick returner. The future looked very promising for Williams and for the Broncos.

Sadly, all that promise would disappear in an instant. On January 1, 2007, Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting just a mere 12 hours after playing in the team's final game of the season. The loss had a deep and profound impact on his teammates, the city and the fans. I cried as though I had lost a close family member when I learned of his death.

Williams was notable for his great smile and his amazing braided mohawk. He was short in stature but big on ability, drive and determination. He was competitive as hell on the field but a likable guy off the field. He was beloved by his teammates, the media and the fans near and far. Williams had that same spark that made me love Elway back when he first stepped on the field. He had enormous flair but moreover he had tremendous heart. With Williams on the other side of Bailey, there's no telling how far this team could have gotten. Sadly we'll never know. It would take years for the team to overcome the loss of such a colossal young talent.

Darrent Williams is remembered fondly now in Denver. An annual award is given to a Broncos player who best exemplifies Williams' "enthusiasm, cooperation and honesty when dealing with the press." Chris Harris won the award this past season. His infectious smile is not that different than Williams' was back in 2005. Williams time may have been short, but his love of the game and his sweet, kind, personable nature will never be forgotten.