A 'sickening' Loss

On the night his second season ended, Broncos CB Darrent Williams is shot dead

EARLY MONDAY MORNING, a few hours after the 49ers knocked them from playoff contention, a bad weekend for the Broncos turned tragic. Following what police said was a confrontation at a nightclub during a New Year's Eve party, 24-year-old cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting as he sat in a white Hummer limousine in Denver. Two other people in the car with Williams were injured. According to police Williams was not involved in the incident that led to the shooting. "Why this happened, we're not sure," police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. "There was some confrontation between a group of people in the vehicle and a group at the nightclub."

After playing part time as a rookie, Williams, a Fort Worth native, started all 16 games this season, finishing second on the team with four interceptions. He returned two punts for 50 yards and had three tackles in Sunday's overtime loss to San Francisco. The Broncos were supposed to have Monday off before their final meeting on Tuesday, but about two dozen players showed up at headquarters when they heard the news about Williams. "He had a big heart and a lot of courage," assistant strength and conditioning coach Cedric Smith said. "It's a tragedy, a complete tragedy. It's sickening."