I watched D-will's funeral, my take!

[KansasBronco]

As a diehard bronco fan, I had to watch the funeral and am thankful I had the opportunity to watch it via the internet on Denver channel 4. It was a beautiful ceremony. It took 45 minutes or more for everyone to walk by the open casket and pay their respects.

Pat Bowlan lead off for the broncos. Said he wished they could take this Southern Baptist church back to Denver so his Catholic church could see how you can have fun while worshipping. He said "this isn't to motivate my team, but Darrent's mom said they had to go out and win next years Superbowl for D-will.

Bill Williamson of the Denver Post spoke and was choked up. He said from next year on, there will be a Darrent Williams Good Guy Player Award given to a bronco each year who shows class, respect and all the good things Darrent showed to the local media. Nice touch!

Tatum Bell was the most visably shaken. Al Wilson had to come back up and comfort him. Never made it through without crying. He knew Darrent the longest of course. It was touching. Tatum told Darrent's mom that if she ever needed anything, it was hers.

Shanahan was great and made it through without breaking up. Keith Burns and db coach Jimmy Spencer also spoke. Spencer said that D-Will would want us to take our game now to the next level. That's the game of life. If we were mad at anyone, or held a grudge, let it go, be the bigger person and say I'm sorry. That's what Darrent would want he said. D's former coach at OSU also talked and gave his mother an OSU jersey before walking to the stage.

John Lynch brought up the entire bronco secondary. He told the story of having to tell his children that D-Will died. His 6 year old girl looked him in the eyes after he told her and was crying, and she said daddy, don't cry, he's in heaven now. When John was done, he invited D-Will's mom and dad to come up to the stage. They huddled and she yelled 1, 2 3 and a famous quote Darrent always use to say,"ALREADY." Very touching.
Lynch also thanked Bowlan for flying every member and coach of the broncos there. Said it made him proud to be member of the broncos. First class organization.

[bpc]

Thank you for sharing since some of us don't have the local feed.

My prayers and thoughts go out to everybody who is involved in this funeral but I also want to wish a special one to Tatum Bell... he has to be going through a tremendous ammount of grief right now.

Hang in there buddy.

[Sassy]

Did Javon speak?

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Shanahan was asked about Javon after the funeral and he said that Champ has been with him the entire time.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Did Javon speak?

No

[bpc]

Champ has continued to amaze me this whole time. He has really built himself into the quiet leader of the team, the Joe Sakic if you will. He is always taking up the front lines for this team. We are so lucky to have him.

Man this hurts so bad all over again.

In a way, I feel like I could just wave a magic wand and make this terrible nightmare come to an end for all of these innocent people. THEY DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS!

[scorpio]

It was truly a wonderful service, I was very deeply moved. I feel a little bit better about the whole thing after watching that.

[bpc]

Closure... as much as it hurts to say that, we all need closure. This is just one chapter in that book which has many more to go.

Rest in peace DWill. We will miss you.

[CBF1]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I have not cried like this since my grandmother died 3 years ago.

RIP D-Will

[KansasBronco]

It broke me up at least a half dozen times. Watching Bell was hard. Lynch was his usual classy self. He has to be my favorite bronco next to Elway all time.

Bowlan also said that had Williams played out his career, he would have been as successful as another 27 we all loved, Atwater.

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

I was there and it was as difficult in person as it must have been to watch on a feed. I've go to take off for a while, but I'll write more on it later. I'll also see about getting some scans of the program so everyone can see.

[HEAV]

The team is going to need time to heal from this. But I will say that the leaders on the team, Champ, Lynch, Wilson and Rod won't let this team fall apart and everyone involved will be stronger.

One thing this team has is great leadership on and off the field.

Going to miss the little runt playing corner. He annoyed me at times, with his coverage, but I adored his antics, like the mohawk and dancing. He may have only been 5-8ish, but played bigger and with more heart than anyone taller.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I had planned to attend but my step-daughter had a car wreck this morning about 9:30 on the way to work...not serious...but I had to go out and pick her up and take care of her mom's car. By the time I got back it was almost 12:00 and I'd have been over an hour late. I figured I wouldn't be able to even get in at that point so I didn't go...very dissapointing. I watched some of the footage and it looks like it was very emotional and moving.

[KansasBronco]

Here is the link. It is over 2 hours. The best part was watching the broncos we know paying tribute.

If you want to go right to the bronco coaches and players, start with part 2 of the 3. Halfway through Bowlan starts it.



http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=62729

[dragondawg]

i can't believe they would still play an ad for something like this

[BroncosMT]

The team is going to need time to heal from this. But I will say that the leaders on the team, Champ, Lynch, Wilson and Rod won't let this team fall apart and everyone involved will be stronger.

One thing this team has is great leadership on and off the field.

Going to miss the little runt playing corner. He annoyed me at times, with his coverage, but I adored his antics, like the mohawk and dancing. He may have only been 5-8ish, but played bigger and with more heart than anyone taller.

I thought I read somewhere that Javon didn't make the trip trying to deal with his own issues on top of it right now. Champ has been with him a lot. I agree that the leaders will pick the pieces up. Also agreed that he played larger than his stature. What a class act on and off the field!!

[i4jelway7]

I couldn't help but cry when Tatum was trying to talk... he was so emotional.. it was really hard to watch....

Hey Rulon did you see Javon there?

[Los Broncos]

Reading that made me shed a few tears, 1,2,3 DW RIP.

[Los Broncos]

Here is the link. It is over 2 hours. The best part was watching the broncos we know paying tribute.

If you want to go right to the bronco coaches and players, start with part 2 of the 3. Halfway through Bowlan starts it.



http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=62729

Thank you very much for the link.

[Los Broncos]

Wow Pat buried his mom a week ago? omg

[BroncoSoja]

As a diehard bronco fan, I had to watch the funeral and am thankful I had the opportunity to watch it via the internet on Denver channel 4. It was a beautiful ceremony. It took 45 minutes or more for everyone to walk by the open casket and pay their respects.

Pat Bowlan lead off for the broncos. Said he wished they could take this Southern Baptist church back to Denver so his Catholic church could see how you can have fun while worshipping. He said "this isn't to motivate my team, but Darrent's mom said they had to go out and win next years Superbowl for D-will.

Bill Williamson of the Denver Post spoke and was choked up. He said from next year on, there will be a Darrent Williams Good Guy Player Award given to a bronco each year who shows class, respect and all the good things Darrent showed to the local media. Nice touch!

Tatum Bell was the most visably shaken. Al Wilson had to come back up and comfort him. Never made it through without crying. He knew Darrent the longest of course. It was touching.

Shanahan was great and made it through without breaking up. Keith Burns and db coach Jimmy Spencer also spoke. D's former coach at OSU also talked and gave his mother an OSU jersey before walking to the stage.

John Lynch brought up the entire bronco secondary. He told the story of having to tell his children that D-Will died. His 6 year old girl looked him in the eyes after he told her and was crying, and she said daddy, don't cry, he's in heaven now. When John was done, he invited D-Will's mom and dad to come up to the stage. They huddled and she yelled 1, 2 3 and a famous quote Darrent always use to say. Very touching.
Lynch also thanked Bowlan for flying every member and coach of the broncos there. Said it made him proud to be member of the broncos. First class organization.

Damn, I teared up just reading this post, I can't imagine watching it on TV or being there.

Man I swear I wish I could spend some time alone with the people that were responsible for this...

I don't know about most of you but as a fan of the Broncos over the years I have been through some very dissapointing years, but all of them combined don't leave me with the empty feeling that I feel now..

I can't even imagine what its like being a teamate or family member.

I hope the guys that did this get whats due to them. And I do not mean the rest of their life in jail..


BTW I don't know if its already been mentioned but incase it hasn't I really hope the Broncos organization retires D-Wills jersey. I think it would be a class act for a wonderfull young man.

[KansasBronco]

I'm glad you all enjoyed the post. I sat down and watched it again with my wife. She teared up and cried throughout and I even teared up a bunch watching it a second time.

[RMT]

Damn, I teared up just reading this post, I can't imagine watching it on TV or being there.

Man I swear I wish I could spend some time alone with the people that were responsible for this...

I don't know about most of you but as a fan of the Broncos over the years I have been through some very dissapointing years, but all of them combined don't leave me with the empty feeling that I feel now..

I can't even imagine what its like being a teamate or family member.

I hope the guys that did this get whats due to them. And I do not mean the rest of their life in jail..


BTW I don't know if its already been mentioned but incase it hasn't I really hope the Broncos organization retires D-Wills jersey. I think it would be a class act for a wonderfull young man.

that would be a nice gesture (retiring the jersey), but I don't think that will happen. The team will find other ways to show tribute to DWill's memory and most likely NOT check out #27 to any players for at least next season. Time will tell.

[BroncosMT]

The link didn't show lynch or champ...is there a link out there that shows them?

[Crushaholic]

Shanahan's comments about Darrent's play in Oakland made me smile a bit...

[Ray Finkle]

that would be a nice gesture (retiring the jersey), but I don't think that will happen. The team will find other ways to show tribute to DWill's memory and most likely NOT check out #27 to any players for at least next season. Time will tell.

I wouldn't be surpised to see Foxworth or Bell take 27 next year.

[That One Guy]

The link didn't show lynch or champ...is there a link out there that shows them?

Lynch gives the bit for all the DBs on the 4th video, I think it was.

[BroncoBen]

This is a very hard thing to do, say good-bye in front of such a large crowd, but Tatum did his best. It was nice to see Al Wilson come up and try to help him through it.

I couldn't help but cry when Tatum was trying to talk... he was so emotional.. it was really hard to watch....

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

Ok, I'm back in.

Some thoughts from attending the funeral today.

First off, a very nice church buried in Fort Worth. Everyone did an excellent job of herding all of the family, friends and fans in. The place was packed to the gills but we were all comfortable and had a great view.

For me, I had neither attended a funeral (though I've had my grandpa and 2 uncles die) nor have I seen a body up close. I knocked out both of those today. When entering, we were patrolled in front of the open casket to pay some intimate respects. Darrent looked great. Very peaceful, a beautiful young man. Though he might be upset with having to wear some makeup, but I'm sure he'd let that slide :)

There were flowers everywhere. I couldn't tell which ones were from fans, but there were almost 40 arrangements spread about. Lovely music throughout. I've never attended a Southern Baptist event, but they sure do it up right. Everything was lively and they really wanted to impress that it was a celebration and not a meeting based on sadness.

Having this BS tough-guy facade, I really don't cry a lot but there were 2 moments when I lost control and shed a little. The first was when the family started coming in and I had to watch his mother and children say goodbye to their son and father one last time. The second was when the casket was escorted out and the video tribute played on the monitors. It was a touching funeral and he would have been proud of how everyone spoke of him and how many people turned out to pay their last respects.

The words were the most touching. Friends, family and those that spent the most time with Darrent really conveyed a message of how passionate, how fun and how much of a good guy he was. It wasn't like they were just there to give words because they were acquaintances. Everyone that spoke loved him in their own special way.

Seeing all of the players come together was both impressive and interesting. These guys we follow each weekend and believe to be bulletproof are still humans on this mixed-up planet just as the rest of us are. I think we tend to forget that at times. It was sobering to see these huge, grown men cry on the shoulders of each other. Through their emotions and their words, I'd like to think that something like this helps them become even more of a family than ever before.

It was a touching service and something I will never forget. At times, I felt odd being there (but yes, I did wear a suit and tie) because really I'm just your average Joe Fan, but I always felt welcomed and knew that Darrent would have loved to have as many of us there that could have made the trip. Though I never knew him personally - and what I did know I got through the media - I know I'll miss the little guy. And not just the body, but the bright spirit and everything he stood for. We could all use a little of Darrent's eagerness to live in our everyday.

[Tredici]

Thanks Rulon. Enjoyed the read of your experience. It's helpful for this part of the "family".

[Sassy]

Thanks Rulon!

[i4jelway7]

He will truly be missed... as a person above a special football player.. peace be with you 27

[watermock]

"Javon is struggling," coach Mike Shanahan said after the service. "He's going through some very heavy grief right now and I talked to Champ (Bailey) about him. He's been with him for the last couple of days. He's going through a tough time. But I'm sure [b]with everybody's support, he'll make it through it all right." {/B}

Jvon will be ok. I hope. You don't have some bleed to death on your lap without freaking out. I'm a bit bipolar about war or a squirrel getting hit.

Human behavior is complex. Give Javon some space,.

[smalltowngrll]

Thanks Rulon for sort of "representing" us that couldn't personally attend. It was a huge help to be able to pay our respects via the net, though.

[Bronco Billy]

Rulon, it's great you were able to make it. Thanks. I've always know I was a Broncos fan, but I never figured I'd be this upset over something like this. I don't know why, but it feels as if I lost a friend - even though I never met him before. The Broncos and the Orangemaners I meet at the tailgates really do hold a special place in my heart. Thanks again for going. (My wife and I will work real hard to finally get to Denver in '07)

[chaz]

i watched the funeral and i feel like i finally got some closure after a tough week...i only pray that everyone that was close to him and loved him can find that same closure.

all of the speakers were great, but the one that touched me most was john lynch. He made me break down with his two stories:

1. Telling his kids that Darrent died, and his daughter telling him not to be sad, that Darrent is in heaven now.

2. When D-Will was a rookie in his first few days of practice. He waited after practice to talk to John Lynch, and asked him to teach him how to be a good defensive back. Then he told John, "You know I'm a good player, but I want you to know I'm a good guy too." He knew what people said about him, but he wanted to get the record straight with John.

These two stories just made me melt.....

[SoCalBronco]

Thanks RVJ.

[maher_tyler]

that would be a nice gesture (retiring the jersey), but I don't think that will happen. The team will find other ways to show tribute to DWill's memory and most likely NOT check out #27 to any players for at least next season. Time will tell.

Yea but i wouldn't want to be the next person to wear it that's for sure!!