NFL player, Fort Worth native Darrent Williams killed in drive-by shooting

by PegNews wire

Cornerback Darrent Williams of the Denver Broncos was killed in the early hours of New Year's Day. Williams was shot along with several others in a vehicle traveling in Denver's downtown area according to police. Team spokesman Jim Saccomano was quoted saying "Complete shock. We're speechless. It takes words away. A terrible tragedy,"

Darrent Williams ( September 27, 1982 – January 1, 2007 ) was a cornerback for the NFL's Denver Broncos.

He attended O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth where he played cornerback and punt returner. As a senior, he was named 7-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player after posting five interceptions that featured several long returns, including a best of 54 yards. As a punt returner, Williams averaged 30 yards per return with four touchdowns.

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Williams' high school football coach from O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth remembers his star cornerback

College

Darrent Williams then went on to play football for Oklahoma State University, where he played cornerback for four years. He played ten games his freshman year and the second half of his season he started. As a sophomore, Williams started all of the thirteen games that his team played. During this season, he recorded 53 tackles and three interceptions, while breaking up thirteen passes. Junior year, Williams continued to start for the Cowboys. He posted 66 tackles and six interceptions ( third in the Big 12 ). He also broke up 17 passes. His performance junior year earned him first team All-Big 12 Conference honors. His last year at Oklahoma State, Williams played only seven games. He missed the last three because of injury and was limited before that because of an arm injury. Still, Williams totaled 21 tackles ( 18 solo ), three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, which he returned 53 yards. Williams finished his collegiate career tied for first place all-time in Division I-A College Football in career interception returns for touchdowns. He had 11 career interceptions and scored 9 touchdowns on returns ( 5 interception returns, 3 punt returns, and 1 blocked extra point return ).

NFL

In the 2005 NFL Draft, Williams was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round ( 56th overall ). He recorded his first career interception on November 13, 2005 versus the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders were driving to score, when quarterback Kerry Collins attempted a pass to wide receiver Jerry Porter. Williams jumped the route, intercepted the ball, and took it 80 yards for the touchdown. The Denver Broncos won the game 31-17.

Death

Williams was killed after leaving a night club in Denver in the early morning hours of January 1, 2007.

Source Credit ( Biography ) Wikipedia