Statue honors Darrent Williams
By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky
Children from the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club attend the dedication of a statue of Darrent Williams.
A 7-foot bronze statue of slain Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was unveiled in Montbello on Wednesday.
Hundreds of youths attended the unveiling in front of the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club, 4397 Crown Blvd.
"I think it's important to the community," said Pat Bowlen, owner of the Denver Broncos. "We have a way to pay tribute to him. He was a great player and a great person."
Williams, 24, was shot and killed while riding in a limousine near downtown on New Year's Day 2007. After his death, the Broncos decided to honor Williams' memory by funding a teen center. The Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center, which is next to the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club, will open next Thursday.
Sculptor Ed Dwight, 74, of Denver, said it took him eight months to shape the statue, working from photos of Williams.
Williams' teammate, cornerback Domonique Foxworth, was delighted with the statue. "It's perfect - it captures him to a T," he said.
Foxworth, who teaches a writing class at the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club, said Williams would have been proud of what the team did in his memory.
"He had a special place in his heart for these kids," he said.
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May 22, 2008
3:16 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
What a tragic loss of a human being.
May 22, 2008
7:21 a.m.
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SE7EN writes:
Where's the picture of the Statue? Come on RMN!
We miss you Darrent.
May 22, 2008
7:32 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
This guy could never compare to the real heros, our Troops!
Getting paid millions to do drugs and carry A dead pig is just wrong.
May 22, 2008
7:40 a.m.
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warrengfunk7 writes:
I HOPE HE CAPTURED HIS SMILE
D-Will still lives on in our hearts. Somehow, he managed to engrave himself into our hearts and memories -- so deeply -- that he has found a way to live on beyond his mortal life.
May 22, 2008
7:46 a.m.
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fmikey writes:
An indication of how messed up our priorities are. While Williams may have been a good person, he was only a football player, an occupation of marginal value, in pursuit of a goal (a superbowl win) which is ultimately meaningless.
Where's the tribute to all the other young men and women violently killed in our fair city - people just as important as Williams but who were anonymous - just everyday good people (most of them). Also, as per the poster above, what about our troops, who, whether or not we agree with this war, are acting with honor and integity.
Again, what does this "tribute" to Williams say about our priorities?
May 22, 2008
7:59 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Darrent Williams was active in the community where the Boys and Girls Club is, so it's only fitting that they have something remembering him. My only beef is what message does it send? You snitch you die or you don't snitch and you live?
May 22, 2008
8:25 a.m.
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Finding_Forever writes:
Vudumom,
What do you mean what message does it send? Snitching didnt have anything to do with the MURDER of Darrent Williams. The CASE is a different story, but why does the statue have to have some sort of underlying message? He volunteered at the club and the kids loved him and were devastated by his murder. The statue is to honor his memory.
May 22, 2008
8:57 a.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
Looks like vudumom put a little too much vodka in her orange juice this morning.
Saying this stands a good chance of riling up the usual bloodthirsty mob but...
Sports heroes are the best kind because they can be heroes without killing people.
May 22, 2008
9:23 a.m.
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truth22 writes:
I thought that I was missing something but now I see that vudumom, is clueless. He didn't snitch on anyone.
Holier than: Sports figures AREN'T heroes except when they are playing the game that they excel in. They do kill just like everyday people. Ever heard of O.J. Simpson? Heroes are people that save lives or improve people's lives even a parent or family member can be one.
When Carmelo Anthony makes a game winning shot how does that help you unless you have a bet on the game? JMHO
May 22, 2008
9:28 a.m.
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rmnreader writes:
They don't show us a picture of the statue? Good reporting Rocky.
I'd like to think the point of the statue is for the kids at the boys & girls club to remember that although he was a pro football player he still found time to work with these kids who really needed it. Maybe they will grow up to be Dr's & lawyers & sports hero's but still come back to the boy's & girl's club to help out. People who volunteer their time to those less fortunate are a huge part of a community - so they are honoring a volunteer - good for them.
May 22, 2008
9:42 a.m.
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farsidefan writes:
I think the statue is a nice idea. Nowhere in the article does anyone mention that he was a hero. He was a great person and a great player. Statues are not erected just for heroes.
Folks, remember pro football is just entertainment. Right or wrong society has embraced it. Don't forget millions are bet on it every week end.
People who complain about the high salaries should look at Oprah's yearly income.
Is she worth it ? Seems like most on here like the phrase " What the market will bear."
Once again, I don't think every single troop person is a hero . They are doing what they signed up to do.
Is it risky ? Yea. Am I grateful ? Yea.
Please don't accuse me of not supporting the troops. I support them so much I wish we could get them all home now.
May 22, 2008
10:31 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
I think Darrent Williams would agree that the troops and allied troops, are the true heroes in the world today! He was obviously a well liked sports figure to the boys and girls club and they wanted to erect this statue to remember him. Kudos!!
I loved his enthusiasm on the field and I loved watching him play.
How many more gang killings will young men/women/children/innocent bystanders, fall victim to, before it ends??? A dirty shame!!!
May 22, 2008
10:33 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
These sports monkeys show up to organizations because its part of their contract, it helps the public justify mega salaries. Have you ever seen where they like to go? The Penthouse club, PT's, Diamond Cabaret. If you party hard enough in the right neighborhoods you will see them taking home questionably young women and indulging on illegal drugs. To lable any one of them A hero is A joke, well the steroids can make some look like comic book heros.
May 22, 2008
10:47 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
My point probably was only clear to me. I was trying to make a point that , if he was so beloved by the community that he did alot for, why hasn't anyone stepped up and told the police who did this? Someone knows something, but the no snitch rule applies even when a great guy was murdered. The community shows their appreciation with a statue? How about someone stepping up and help find the person or persons who murdered him? Wouldn't that be a better way to show their appreciation and get some killers off their streets? Is that too much to ask?
May 22, 2008
10:48 a.m.
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becket writes:
The truth will come out one day abiut him snitching on fellow gang members. Then will you honor this great gangbanging hero. The Broncos have to "honor" him or the rest of the thugs on the team would shut down. Oh wait, they already shut down.
May 22, 2008
11:22 a.m.
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truth22 writes:
Dahmnerscooked, you sure seem to know a lot about what these people do. What are you a groupie? An autograph, monkey?
Who is "they?"
All pro athletes don't do all that and you SHOULD know that.
As far as who killed Williams, they have suspects in custody don't they? When only the people in the "drive by car" know who shot him you don't have a lot of witnesses.
May 22, 2008
11:55 a.m.
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fmikey writes:
Sorry farside fan - a 22 year old man or woman who "signs up" to ostensibly promote the interests of our country, and at the same time place himself or herself in harm's way, is much more worthy and deserving than a 22 year old football player...
May 22, 2008
3:33 p.m.
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Lonestar2000 writes:
You people kill me. Is it not enough for a person to want to help his community? Darrent did just that. Weather you like it or not. The fact that he was a football player is irrelavant. Those kids saw him as a hero. An adult that took the time to help them or at a minimum, showed that he cared. Thats more than most of us do. So what if he made some money doing what he was good at, wouldn't you? The term "Hero" is in the eye of the beholder. He gave to his community, the city of Denver, and by the way, HE WASEN'T EVEN FROM DENVER!! You bash his name because he was a football player, and not a member of the Armed Forces. Well for your info, I am a member of those Armed Forces and I look at people like Darrent and think that what i'm doing is for the greater good. For that I call HIM a HERO! Its all about being a good person and doing the right thing.