For those of you who have forgotten about the event that is now being called the origin of one of the NFL's most serious problems, let me refresh your memory.
It was New Year's Eve 2006. The Denver Broncos had recently lost to the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to end their season and miss the playoffs. After the game, Darrent Williams and then-teammate Javon Walker decided to go to the Safari Club, a local nightclub in Denver, to celebrate at a New Year's Eve party hosted by Denver Nuggets player Kenyon Martin.
An altercation occurred in the club between some club members, some of whom were allegedly members of the notorious Crips gang. Neither Williams nor Walker were believed to have been involved in the scuffle.
At approximately 2:00 AM on New Year's Day, Williams, Walker, and two friends left the club and were traveling in a rented white Hummer H2 limousine. At 2:10, the limo pulled up to the intersection of Speer Blvd. and 11th Ave. An SUV pulled up next to them. The people in the SUV shot at the limo at least 15 times, wounding the two friends, Nicole Reindl and Brandon Flowers.
Williams was shot in the neck, then fell into Walker's lap. Williams was pronounced dead at 2:30 at the age of 24.
In the aftermath, the Denver police impounded a car that was owned by a Crips member waiting trial on drug and attempted murder charges. Other Crips members were questioned, but none were charged.
On May 30 of this year, the Rocky Mountain News claimed to have obtained a written confession to the murder of Williams by Crips member Willie D. Clark. Aside from those three items, the case wasn't looking too good.
But today, a grand jury in Denver officially indicted the same Willie D. Clark on 39 charges ranging from weapons charges to murder. Clark violated his parole four days after the shooting on drug charges.
Williams' mother wasn't available for comment by media sources, former teammate and witness Javon Walker has yet to comment, and Clark's lawyer also has not commented as of the writing of this article.
Former teammate Nick Ferguson, now a member of the Houston Texans, had this to say:
"I trust the people investigating the case did their homework and they won't drag people into court on charges that won't stick. I've seen that happen too many times.
"I'm like a lot of people who knew Darrent. I just want the people responsible to pay their debt to society for taking such a young, vibrant man from his kids and his family.
"Not a moment goes by that I don't think about D-Will and his family after what happened that night."
And for all the people affected by this tragedy, let's hope the charges stick.
4 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Sayre Bedinger 9 months ago
Good article. This is such a terrible thing that happened to such a promising young athlete. Just think of the great things he could have done for the league and the community... Love the guy.
Edit Comment Cancel
Christian Araos 9 months ago
Ty. It is sad especially since it was his second year and he had people like Ferguson and Champ Bailey to act as mentors in the secondary. I don't follow the Broncos that much since im from NY but all I heard was good things bout him.
Edit Comment Cancel
Sayre Bedinger 9 months ago
He was a stud. He made Champ Bailey so much better.
Edit Comment Cancel
Josh Harris 9 months ago
That kid never took that smile off his face. One of my brothers friends' was one of Williams' cousins, so I got to meet him twice.
He just brings nothing but happiness, wherever he goes, and he was the last person on earth that it should have happened to.
And your right Sayre, he made Champ a better person on the field, and off, and was incredibly respected among all Broncos, and the fans.
Its also really weird that we picked up Jack Williams this year in the draft, too. You seen this kid? The resemblance between him and D-Will is uncanny.
It is absolutely incredible to have a guy who looks just like him, acts just like him, both on and off the field, and even has the same last name.
Its gotta God at work or something, to have the Broncos never let D-Will leave their thoughts, whether they like it or not.
Its just amazing.
Great post.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.