[R.I.P,] Sports casualties of 2007

Broncos' CB killed in drive-by shooting

DENVER (AP) - Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Denver early Monday morning.

Team spokesman Jim Saccomano said police called him about 3 a.m. from the scene of the shooting and told him three people had been shot and that Williams had been killed.

A little after 2 a.m., a white Hummer limousine was sprayed with bullets from a vehicle that pulled up along its side, said Sonny Jackson, spokesperson for the Denver Police Department.

Three people in the limousine were hit and were taken to area hospitals, where one man was pronounced dead, Jackson said. The other man and woman who were shot were not identified.

Jackson said police were searching for the suspects and interviewing witnesses.

"We have no motive yet," Jackson said. "We're hoping to talk with witnesses to find out where they were coming from, and that might give us some clues."

Saccomano said he spoke with coach Mike Shanahan and others in the organization.

"Complete shock. We're speechless. It takes words away. A terrible tragedy," Saccomano said.

Hours before the shooting, the Broncos lost to San Francisco 26-23 in overtime, eliminating them from the playoff race.

The 24-year-old Williams finished the season with 88 tackles, 78 of them solo, and four interceptions.

On Sunday against the 49ers, he had three tackles and returned two punts for 50 yards before leaving the game with a shoulder injury late in the second half.

Williams, a second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State in 2005, made an immediate impact on the Broncos, starting nine times in his rookie season following a stellar career at Oklahoma State, where he totaled 11 interceptions and scored three touchdowns on punt returns.

Players and coaches are off Monday. They were scheduled to meet Tuesday before heading home for the offseason.





Thought I'd make an official thread for deaths of sports figures, it's unfortunate that there was a victim less than 4 hours into the New Year. He was only 24, what a waste.

 

just an unfortunate, tragic story

 

This is terrible news. I hate the Broncos, but that absolutely doesn't take away from my sorrow at this. My heart goes out to his family and to the Denver Broncos family as well.

 

Senseless tragedies such as this just...gah. RIP.

 

Wow. This comes after the Broncos lost against the 49ers. I certainly hope it wasn't a disgruntled Broncos fan that took his grudge too far.

 

R.I.P., first the loss now this, Denver must be in a state of shock.

 

I certainly hope it wasn't a disgruntled Broncos fan that took his grudge too far.

Its a sad enough story as it is, if that were the case (and it sounds possible from that article), it would be even more sad.

R.I.P.

 

Oh god I feel bad now. I cursed him out yesterday when he was returning punts against the Niners...

 

It's very sad and disgusting that he was killed. My heart goes out to his family.

 

Such a waste.

 

Well said Grimby. It was such a waste of not only natural talent, but more importantly a very warm young man that had a full and enriched life ahead of him. He was from Ft. Worth, which is right next to Dallas. They are to bury him there in the next few days, and it's a homecoming I feel deeply ill that his mother has to give him.

He had been planning, alongside his high school football coach, to start a free afterschool football program, for kids in Ft. Worth. He wanted to keep the temptation of gang life, and drugs out of their lives. I hope this program will still see the light, and honor the young man that had put so much warmth in so many people's hearts.

 

The kicker for USC was found dead in a pit.

 

Bobby Hamilton Sr, the 2004 Craftsman Truck Series champion, and a four time winner in NASCAR Nextel Cup, died Sunday after a battle with neck cancer. He was 49.

 

Yea, I saw that one the news earlier. Really sad. What happend to him?

 

Last I heard about the SoCal kicker, they didn't know what happened, more than he fell off the cliff. The cliff apparently has warning signs, but its unknown whether he just went out there anyways and then slipped and fell accidentally, whether he was trying to commit suicide (sounded like this was unlikely), or whether someone pushed him off.

All of those are sad, though.

 

Bobby was one of the Good Guys in NASCAR and will be greatly missed.

 

Now SI.com is reporting that SoCal kicker Mario Danelo's death was probably either accidental or suicide, and that there is no evidence (at least as of yet) for foul play.

 

Definitely not foul play, says the updates, and according to many who knew him, not suicide either... Which means, what the hell could have happened to him? Autopsy will take 6-8 weeks prolly to determine exact cause of death. Even though I hate USC with a passion, any death is saddening, Trojan or not. RIP

 

Three deaths in one week. I sure hope the fatalities slow down, or 2007 is going to be a depressing year for sports fans.

 

6-8 weeks to determine that he accidentally slipped and fell off a cliff?

If they've ruled out foul play, then isn't the cause of death rather obvious?

 

I'd imagine the 6-8 weeks will include toxicology results, which they could get a hell of a lot quicker, if they really wanted to.

 

Bureaucracy, FTW!

 

Parsons dies at 65 after battle with lung cancer

NASCAR.COM
January 16, 2007
01:06 PM EST (18:06 GMT)

Benny Parsons, who charmed television audiences with his folksy demeanor as much as he impressed fans with his ability as a driver, died Tuesday at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte following complications from lung disease. He was 65.

 

What does that make? Two NASCAR drivers dead of Cancer?