Will Javon Walker Recover?

[broncolife]

After having Darrent Williams die in his arms, I am wondering if it will have an effect on his game play next season. Personally, I thought he was going to be great next season, but now I think hes going to be unbelievable great. I think he will be motivated playing the game even more, like hes playing not only for him but for Darrent.

[ludo21]

who knows.

Some people respond with tenacity, but some NEVER recover, im hoping his is the former.

Pray for Javon is all I can say.

[youcandoit1687]

you gotta figure it will affect his offseason workouts and motivation positively. i doubt it has a negative affect, he doesnt seem like a woe-is-me type of guy although im sure he is dealing with shock and hopefully the therapists taht the team brought in are helping him through this.

[orange 4 life]

After having Darrent Williams die in his arms, I am wondering if it will have an effect on his game play next season. Personally, I thought he was going to be great next season, but now I think hes going to be unbelievable great. I think he will be motivated playing the game even more, like hes playing not only for him but for Darrent.

i agree.
i dont think you EVER "recover" from something like that, but you CAN move forward with a newfound appreciation for life, love, and friendship.

i for one look for him to have the greatest season of his career, and i look for him to play with a passion thats rarely seen in modern athletes.

[bpc]

That will be the question of the offseason, how do these Broncos react to tragedy and recover?

Personally, I think guys like Fox and Paymah are going to work incredibly hard to live up to their fallen friend. Although in isn't publicized all that much, they feel like brothers that came in together with their draft class. Now they feel like they need to pick up the load where DWill left off.

Javon's issue is another thing. All of the other players are working off of DWill's memory. Javon is working with the demons of having a teammate get shot and die bleeding in his arms... the image can be horrific... the memories I imagine are even worse.

All we can do is pray for his mental stability first... forget the football field for now.

[orange 4 life]

who knows.

Some people respond with tenacity, but some NEVER recover, im hoping his is the former.

Pray for Javon is all I can say.

i think BOTH ludo.
i DONT think he ever "recovers", but again, he CAN move forward and while it may well be in his every day thoughts FOREVER, he can ALSO become a better person for it.

make sense? agree?

[DeusExManning]

You never know. It might be like a post traumatic stress disorder and it could cause anything. Right now I don't care about the football aspect of it, I just hope that he is OK.

[ludo21]

i think BOTH ludo.
i DONT think he ever "recovers", but again, he CAN move forward and while it may well be in his every day thoughts FOREVER, he can ALSO become a better person for it.

make sense? agree?

Well what I meant to say is that he could just totally shut himself down and never recover emotionally OR physically (thus affecting his play).

I know for sure that he will wake up many nights thinking about what he could have done.

[theAPAOps5]

I hope he can move forward from this in a positive way. Some people turn inwards, some people turn to drugs/alcohol or other distratants, and others grow from this. I hope Javon is the latter. I can't help but wonder if he wants to leave Denver after what happened. Get away from it all and start new again. I hope that isn't the case.

[thebroncosnation]

There really is no way to tell. You hope that they all dedicate themselves to his dreams just as Mike said. If they do that it'll all be alright.

[cabronco]

I would think he has some good tragedy/crisis counselors working with him, according to Shanahan they have the best of the best. Hope thats true to get him through all this and have them be availabe to him for as long as it takes.

[OrangeShadow]

I dont think anyone ever recovers from something like that. I due think it will in fact push him and the whole team to work even harder next year.

[watermock]

I think the team meeting was invaluable.

Getting a Charter was classy as well. I don't know much more the team can do.

[Sassy]

No offense...but I don't think this is something that a poll should be taken on.
Just my opinion.

[Rascal]

He will remember it for the rest of his life. If he is lucky it will only give him occasional nightmares.

[RhymesayersDU]

I think he'll excel, personally.

Look, I want to preface this by saying I realize that high school and rec leagues are not the same as the NFL or any professional sports.

But when I played ball, and I'm sure it's similar for other people, whenever I was in practice or a game, I forgot about everything going on. All you can think about is the game, the play, etc.

In his down time, in his dreams, it may be on his mind, but I'm willing to bet he hits the weights, the practice field, etc etc even more to try and get his mind off it, to try and forget and get away. I think he's going to be fine. Of course, like somebody else said, he could turn to drugs or alcohol, but assuming he doesn't, I think he'll be the same or better once he's on the field.

[Play2win]

The same thing that made fight back from his knee injury and taking the first few cuts on it, is going to be the same thing that makes him a beast. These things will fuel his fire...

[dbfan4life]

Never doubt the strength of the human spirit. We are a resiliant species and through the grace of God are able to endure and recover for the most terrible things imaginable. No doubt the Javon can find a way to cope and get on with life.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

There shouldn't even be a poll asking about how his recovery should translate onto the football field, it's not life-or-death as was evidenced by New Year's Eve. The concern should be that he is able to live a normal life after what he witnessed.

[Pendejo]

Without reading any posts, and simply responding to the thread title...the answer is an unequivocal yes. He showed he has a lot of mettle by the way he rehabbed his injury, and played this season with no fear.

I think it goes without question that he's had fine psychiatric care made available to him.

Javon Walker will be even better next year than he was this year.

[broncolife]

No offense...but I don't think this is something that a poll should be taken on.
Just my opinion.

I was waiting for you on this. I was going to make a option just for you and whoever else is afraid to talk about death and its effects. But I decided not to because it would give people a easy way out of it by just saying who cares we should be mourning Darrent.

[Sassy]

Not afraid to talk about it...Just don't think it's appropriate.
Personally, I can see Javon handling it well and throwing himself into the game...but my thought was, he doesn't need the pressure from us as fans.
I also think that this Bronco team will come out fighting next season...There, does that answer your ?
1...2...4...

[usedupbraids]

having someone die in your arms is no joke......I see javon having a probowl type year next season

[Kaylore]

As many have already pointed out, Walker has already displayed mental toughness. He also is already working with a grief councilor and everyone is going to see to it that he is able to work through this tragedy.

[broncolife]

Not afraid to talk about it...Just don't think it's appropriate.
Personally, I can see Javon handling it well and throwing himself into the game...but my thought was, he doesn't need the pressure from us as fans.
I also think that this Bronco team will come out fighting next season...There, does that answer your ?
1...2...3...

How are we pressuring him? Whats not appropriate? Believe it or not this affects our football team. If Darrent wasnt on a football team, I doubt any of us would be talking about Darrent. People die everyday, I see no difference in his death and anybody elses I dont know except that I watched him play for the broncos. Yes, I will miss him as player, but I still didnt know him as a person. Just because you read stuff on the internet about the guy doesnt mean you know him, so I feel sympathy about the death of a person, but I am not devastated like I would be if someone close to me died. I think about 4 days of mourning for someone I dont know is enough for me. So now I am thinking about my broncos and the affects it might have on the remaining broncos. Sorry if my concerns for the remaining broncos is not appropriate. Sorry if this offends anyone, but this is the way I feel.

[smalltowngrll]

I didn't read all the responses, so forgive me if I repeat.

My take is this...... You never "recover" from a life changing moment. Recover would indicate that he goes back to being the same person he was prior to experiencing this. This seriously is a life changing event. When something of this nature happens, one has a choice. One either uses this to be a better person, make the right changes in life. Or, one chooses to allow this to cause a regressing effect. Hopefully Javon chooses to uses this experience to rebound and make life changes that are positive.

This is something that effects more than just what happens on the playing field. This is LIFE!

[Pendejo]

I didn't read all the responses, so forgive me if I repeat.

My take is this...... You never "recover" from a life changing moment. Recover would indicate that he goes back to being the same person he was prior to experiencing this. This seriously is a life changing event. When something of this nature happens, one has a choice. One either uses this to be a better person, make the right changes in life. Or, one chooses to allow this to cause a regressing effect. Hopefully Javon chooses to uses this experience to rebound and make life changes that are positive.

This is something that effects more than just what happens on the playing field. This is LIFE!

What an awkward post.

Do people "recover" from skinned knees? It's never the same skin again.

What do you mean by saying that you hope Javon chooses to use this experience to rebound and make positive changes? Did he need to make changes in his life? Seems like he pretty much has it wired.

Perhaps I'm not reading this right, but I haven't seen any evidence that Javon Walker needs to make any changes in his life.

Cripes...just last Friday some yahoo walked into a popular dessert cafe here in San Diego, and shot two men in front of their wives. I hope the woman whose husband died right before her eyes uses that event to make the right changes, and be a better person in life.

[smalltowngrll]

What an awkward post.

Do people "recover" from skinned knees? It's never the same skin again.

What do you mean by saying that you hope Javon chooses to use this experience to rebound and make positive changes? Did he need to make changes in his life? Seems like he pretty much has it wired.

Perhaps I'm not reading this right, but I haven't seen any evidence that Javon Walker needs to make any changes in his life.

Cripes...just last Friday some yahoo walked into a popular dessert cafe here in San Diego, and shot two men in front of their wives. I hope the woman whose husband died right before her eyes uses that event to make the right changes, and be a better person in life.


I'm sorry you took it as I felt that Javon needed to make a change in his life. That is not what I meant. I meant it in the way that an event of this calaber changes people. Some people use things like this and turn it into a positive impact, whereas others allow it to consume them. My only hope is that it is used, in time, to be a positive influence on his life. Obviously there is a grieving period one must go through...and I'm sure it will take the love and support of those surrounding him to bring him through.

[Spider]

wow I didnt know so many people Knew Walker personaly as to give insight , on how he will handle this ...............watching someone die will screw you up ,watching someone die that you know , takes a piece of you , a piece that you wont get back , you cant get back , watching a family memeber die , you dont recover from ..............it is safe to say , Walker or anyone in that Limo will never be the same person again .............

[Dempsey Dog]

I have known some people that have had similiar experiences in battle. They are also some of the strongest and best people I know. While it is true that while in battle, a person may have mentally prepared themselves for something like this as it is more likely than what Javon thought his New Years would entail. However, the human spirit can never be underestimated.

He does have what appears form the outside to be a strong support network. With the strong support the team, the league, the fans, and personal friends will provide, Javon will come to terms with this, IMHO. Unfortuantely, from my own personal experience, when somebody dies a sudden and unexpected death, you do not get over it. You just learn to live with it and life is never the same and viewed differently.

In another thread, somebody mentioned going after Darren Sharper. From what I understand, Darren is Javon's best friend since their Green Bay days together. On one hand Sharper is talented, on another hand it might be nice for Javon to have him in Denver for the additional support.

[telluride]

You know, I actually think that Jake's problems this year were in part fueled by Pat Tillman-related PTSD finally catching up to him. He just seemed so...sad for much of the year. It was evident in that 60 minutes piece.

So, will the same thing affect Javon or others on the team? Who knows?

[cutthemdown]

How are we pressuring him? Whats not appropriate? Believe it or not this affects our football team. If Darrent wasnt on a football team, I doubt any of us would be talking about Darrent. People die everyday, I see no difference in his death and anybody elses I dont know except that I watched him play for the broncos. Yes, I will miss him as player, but I still didnt know him as a person. Just because you read stuff on the internet about the guy doesnt mean you know him, so I feel sympathy about the death of a person, but I am not devastated like I would be if someone close to me died. I think about 4 days of mourning for someone I dont know is enough for me. So now I am thinking about my broncos and the affects it might have on the remaining broncos. Sorry if my concerns for the remaining broncos is not appropriate. Sorry if this offends anyone, but this is the way I feel.

It doesn't offend me because it's all very reasonable. The world is so full of horrid events if you feel for everyone you will spend every day of your life in torment. I hope people don't chastise you for this post but they might. Things on this board are often taken very personally and we will be followed up with personal attacks on the poster. Not a great way to debate but never the less it's reality.

[chaz]

In another thread, somebody mentioned going after Darren Sharper. From what I understand, Darren is Javon's best friend since their Green Bay days together. On one hand Sharper is talented, on another hand it might be nice for Javon to have him in Denver for the additional support.

both hands going in the same direction...?

[XXXII&III]

Did anyone see him at the funeral? I was looking for him, to see how he appeared to be holding up, but didn't see him.

[ro_50]

If J Walker did want to leave and start anew somewhere else, I wouldn't blame him.

[bpc]

I think after all the support that Javon has received, he knows that he is in the right place with the right organization. Running away will not change what could happen anywhere else.

[gunns]

He's going to hate reliving those moments and next season might be the perfect anctidote to make his focus turn to the season for Darrent, as his mother said.

[maven]

This thread means officially we're in the offseason. I mean, jeez... He'll recover just fine and Javon plans to make a lot of money.

[gunns]

How are we pressuring him? Whats not appropriate? Believe it or not this affects our football team. If Darrent wasnt on a football team, I doubt any of us would be talking about Darrent. People die everyday, I see no difference in his death and anybody elses I dont know except that I watched him play for the broncos. Yes, I will miss him as player, but I still didnt know him as a person. Just because you read stuff on the internet about the guy doesnt mean you know him, so I feel sympathy about the death of a person, but I am not devastated like I would be if someone close to me died. I think about 4 days of mourning for someone I dont know is enough for me. So now I am thinking about my broncos and the affects it might have on the remaining broncos. Sorry if my concerns for the remaining broncos is not appropriate. Sorry if this offends anyone, but this is the way I feel.

I don't think you have to "know" someone to feel extreme sorrow at their death if you hear about it. Every night on the news I feel grief for stories that are reported about someone dying. This whole Darrant situation has effected me as a mother. I grieve for her emmense loss, the emptiness that will be in her life, the ache to hug her son one more time. I don't just appreciate the loss on the field but more importantly the loss in the heart.

[bpc]

I just think about DWill in that coffin... and that being the last time any of us will ever see him whole, in the flesh. Its a harsh reality to come to. I can't imagine the feeling graveside. Too much to think about right now. Tough, real tough.

[XXXII&III]

exerpted from Rocky Mountain News:


"Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker, who was in the limousine with Williams and several others the night Williams was killed, was not seen as the team's players exited the buses outside the church.

Some with the team said they didn't know if Walker had made the trip.
After the service Shanahan said Walker had spent the much of the last week with cornerback Champ Bailey and that Walker was "struggling'' with all that has happened.

"He's going through some very heavy grief right now,'' Shanahan said. "

[maven]

He'll be ready in 6 months

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

He wasn't at the service today.