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Courage amid tears for Broncos
She's "family," coach Mike Shanahan says as the mother of slain Darrent Williams visits the Broncos in Texas
By Bill Williamson, Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/17/2007 09:06:40 AM MDT
Irving, Texas - Javon Walker walked away from the woman he will forever be connected to, dropped his head, then lifted his T-shirt to wipe his eyes.
Emotions were deep and tears were plentiful Thursday as Darrent Williams' mother, Rosalind, bravely spent the afternoon with the teammates of her slain son. The meeting culminated a taxing week for Rosalind Williams, who went back and forth wrestling whether she could even muster the courage to face her son's friends.
Wednesday night, Williams thought she could face the team. Early Thursday morning, the Fort Worth resident wasn't up for the short drive to the Broncos' morning practice with the Dallas Cowboys in Irving.
All it took was a casual lunch with
coach Mike Shanahan and several players to coax her. At the urging of safety John Lynch, who attended the lunch with Williams and about 15 family members, she summoned the bravery to watch the team's afternoon practice.
"It was special," Williams said. "I have a lot of support here."
Thursday's visit was the first time she had seen the team since Darrent Williams' funeral Jan. 6 in Fort Worth. Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a rented limousine in downtown Denver after attending a New Year's Eve party. He died in the arms of Walker, who was next to him in the limo.
Near the end of the afternoon practice, Walker went over to the Williams family as they sat in some shaded bleachers. And he brought a friend, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens. Walker and Williams hugged; it was the first time they had seen each other since the memorial service Jan. 3 at Dove Valley. Walker did not attend the funeral.
Owens gave Williams an autographed football and asked the lifelong Texan if she was a Cowboys fan. She laughed and said she was but that she is also a Broncos fan "because of all of these people."
At the conclusion of the workout, Lynch took Williams to the team huddle. She
said a few words, then broke the practice with her son's famous words, "All ready." Darrent Williams often broke a defensive-backs huddle with the words that have become a battle cry at Dove Valley.
"It's somebody who's a part of your family," Shanahan said. "She's going to be a part of us for the rest of her life."
Shanahan left the practice field arm in arm with Williams. Williams then went to the team buses and hugged several players. She left in tears.
"It was an emotional but great day," Darrent Williams' uncle, Demond Williams, said. "Rosalind didn't really want to be here to be a distraction, but it was important for everyone that she was here."
When Williams arrived for lunch with the team, she was greeted by defensive backs Domonique Foxworth, Hamza Abdullah, Curome Cox and Dré Bly, who was brought to Denver to replace her son. Williams brought "thank you" cards for Shanahan, some players and one for the entire team.
Demond Williams isn't sure whether he can find the strength to go to Saturday's Broncos- Cowboys preseason game, but Rosalind Williams has said she will not attend.
"It's just been a tough year," Demond Williams said.
While the family still deals with the emotions of their loss, they are dealing with red tape as well. Darrent Williams' Parker home is set to be foreclosed later this month because his mortgage hasn't been paid since February, Demond Williams said. However, all of Williams' assets are in probate and are frozen. The family is trying to figure out a way to save the home in the meantime.
"She is doing so well," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "Just to see her here really charges our batteries."
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6644560
She's "family," coach Mike Shanahan says as the mother of slain Darrent Williams visits the Broncos in Texas
By Bill Williamson, Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/17/2007 09:06:40 AM MDT
Irving, Texas - Javon Walker walked away from the woman he will forever be connected to, dropped his head, then lifted his T-shirt to wipe his eyes.
Emotions were deep and tears were plentiful Thursday as Darrent Williams' mother, Rosalind, bravely spent the afternoon with the teammates of her slain son. The meeting culminated a taxing week for Rosalind Williams, who went back and forth wrestling whether she could even muster the courage to face her son's friends.
Wednesday night, Williams thought she could face the team. Early Thursday morning, the Fort Worth resident wasn't up for the short drive to the Broncos' morning practice with the Dallas Cowboys in Irving.
All it took was a casual lunch with
coach Mike Shanahan and several players to coax her. At the urging of safety John Lynch, who attended the lunch with Williams and about 15 family members, she summoned the bravery to watch the team's afternoon practice.
"It was special," Williams said. "I have a lot of support here."
Thursday's visit was the first time she had seen the team since Darrent Williams' funeral Jan. 6 in Fort Worth. Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a rented limousine in downtown Denver after attending a New Year's Eve party. He died in the arms of Walker, who was next to him in the limo.
Near the end of the afternoon practice, Walker went over to the Williams family as they sat in some shaded bleachers. And he brought a friend, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens. Walker and Williams hugged; it was the first time they had seen each other since the memorial service Jan. 3 at Dove Valley. Walker did not attend the funeral.
Owens gave Williams an autographed football and asked the lifelong Texan if she was a Cowboys fan. She laughed and said she was but that she is also a Broncos fan "because of all of these people."
At the conclusion of the workout, Lynch took Williams to the team huddle. She
said a few words, then broke the practice with her son's famous words, "All ready." Darrent Williams often broke a defensive-backs huddle with the words that have become a battle cry at Dove Valley.
"It's somebody who's a part of your family," Shanahan said. "She's going to be a part of us for the rest of her life."
Shanahan left the practice field arm in arm with Williams. Williams then went to the team buses and hugged several players. She left in tears.
"It was an emotional but great day," Darrent Williams' uncle, Demond Williams, said. "Rosalind didn't really want to be here to be a distraction, but it was important for everyone that she was here."
When Williams arrived for lunch with the team, she was greeted by defensive backs Domonique Foxworth, Hamza Abdullah, Curome Cox and Dré Bly, who was brought to Denver to replace her son. Williams brought "thank you" cards for Shanahan, some players and one for the entire team.
Demond Williams isn't sure whether he can find the strength to go to Saturday's Broncos- Cowboys preseason game, but Rosalind Williams has said she will not attend.
"It's just been a tough year," Demond Williams said.
While the family still deals with the emotions of their loss, they are dealing with red tape as well. Darrent Williams' Parker home is set to be foreclosed later this month because his mortgage hasn't been paid since February, Demond Williams said. However, all of Williams' assets are in probate and are frozen. The family is trying to figure out a way to save the home in the meantime.
"She is doing so well," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "Just to see her here really charges our batteries."
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6644560
