Klis: Williams' murder big reason Marshall wants out (M)

[BMarsh615]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncoshea...207?source=rss

Raise your right hand, Brandon Marshall.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Because, so help me God, as Marshall prepares to take the witness stand in the Darrent Williams murder trial, I believe we are confronting what has been an unspoken, but monumental, reason why the great receiver has long been uncomfortable playing in Denver.

Marshall stated last fall that his disenchantment with playing for the Broncos wasn't about owner Pat Bowlen not giving him a robust contract, and I believe him. Marshall wants money, sure, but he'd rather get his paycheck from somewhere else.

Marshall also said during Super Bowl week that he has no personal misgivings about Broncos coach Josh McDan- iels, and again, I believe him. It's true, Marshall didn't care for the way McDaniels publicly called him out at season's end, but the former Central Florida star has survived far greater punishment.

"I come from the George O'Leary methods in college," Marshall said. "And it doesn't get any tougher than that."

Used to getting yelled at, then?

"Not just yelled at — degraded," Marshall said. "You do something wrong, 'Hey, bear crawl 200 yards. Wake up at 5 in the morning and do this.' "

Does that mean McDaniels isn't a monster?

"No, Josh isn't a monster," Marshall said. "Josh is actually easy to talk to, easy to work with."

A deeper truth about Marshall, though, is he has been left emotionally scarred by Williams' murder in the wee hours of Jan. 1, 2007. Marshall was with Williams minutes before his Broncos teammate and good friend died almost instantly from a bullet wound to the neck.

Preceding the shooting, police say there was an altercation outside The Shelter, a Broadway nightclub that was hosting a Kenyon Martin birthday-New Year's celebration that was attended by Williams and Marshall, among other former and current Broncos.

Marshall allegedly was involved in the fracas, which is why he is expected to testify during the next two weeks at the trial of gang member Willie Clark, who is charged with premeditated murder, among many other alleged crimes, in Williams' death.

I have never spoken to Marshall about that tragic night of Dec. 31, 2006-Jan. 1, 2007. I have spoken to several people close to Marshall, and they all say Williams' murder continues to torment him.

Besides lasting grief, he has endured guilt, even though he wasn't in Williams' limousine that had driven away just a few short blocks from the nightclub when it became riddled with bullets. The killing left Marshall frightened, which may explain why he has never spoken about that night publicly, at least not knowingly.

It wasn't until Marshall was allegedly fortified with 0.116 of truth serum while driving impaired on Oct. 22, 2007, that he revealed what may have been his deepest sentiments.

"I hate Denver," Marshall said, as written by the arresting officer in the police report.

"I hope I get traded. I hate this (bleeping) city."

Marshall has proved he doesn't really hate Denver. He has repeatedly said he loves the fans who have supported him through his capricious time here. A few lines down in that police report, though, came what may have been the root of all his fury.

"Why aren't you guys looking for Williams' killer?" Marshall told the officer.

Marshall later pled guilty to driving while impaired and received a year's probation that has since expired.

Receptions and trouble define Marshall's exhilarating and exasperating four-year term with the Broncos.

But he deserves credit for the admirable way he handled the murder of his friend. We all knew about his past problems with a former girlfriend.

He has never let us understand how arguably the worst moment in Broncos history has affected him.

Marshall has produced since Williams' death, posting three consecutive seasons of at least 100 catches. But Denver will forever carry a haunting memory. It's an under- stated, but not underrated, reason why Marshall would like to move on.

His final task in Denver may well come not from a football field but from a witness stand. You can't make this stuff up.

[bowtown]

Yep, it's offseason alright.

[The MVPlaya]

Originally Posted by bowtown

Yep, it's offseason alright.

+1

This guy is stretching way far up his asss...

[ayjackson]

Sunday morning stretching?

Oh well, I think we know he'd like to play elsewhere. Despite the ongoing drama that Brandon brings to the table, I do like the guy. I hope he ends up in a good situation and I hope we end up with a good draft pick. Or Vince Wilfork.

[TailgateNut]

If Marshall wouldn't have been one of the instigators which eventually led to DWills death he probably wouldn't feel so bad about the situation. Now the story will be told.

[ayjackson]

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

If Marshall wouldn't have been one of the instigators which eventually led to DWills death he probably would feel so bad about the situation. Now the story will be told.

I don't know the story very well living in Canada, but I think in our youth, we've all been instigators at times - but we don't always expect that someone will end up with a bullet in their neck.

[broncogary]

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

If Marshall wouldn't have been one of the instigators which eventually led to DWills death he probably would feel so bad about the situation. Now the story will be told.

Just because he didn't back down from some punks doesn't mean he was an instigator. I'm pretty sure you would have done the same thing.

[WolfpackGuy]

I thought Marshall's crew were the ones spraying bub all over which initiated the beef?

Either way, a senseless murder.

[Cito Pelon]

Originally Posted by The MVPlaya

+1

This guy is stretching way far up his asss...

Maybe, maybe not. Not a great article, I'll grant you that.

Marshall maybe is subpoena'd for the trial. A related article:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14442039

There's a history of witness intimidation with these gangs. A couple years ago two witnesses to a Denver gang murder were in turn murdered to keep them from testifying.

[HEAV]

Originally Posted by broncogary

Just because he didn't back down from some punks doesn't mean he was an instigator. I'm pretty sure you would have done the same thing.

``Real Sports'' said another Broncos receiver, Brandon Marshall, and his cousin were partying with Williams' group that night and began spraying champagne around, ``some of which hit a club patron and his friend, who confronted Williams and his entourage.''


Those men flashed gang signs and were escorted out of the club, said members of a rap group from Williams' hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, who were with him that night.

Walker said he didn't see the encounter inside the club but saw trouble brewing when he left at closing time. Marshall and his cousin were exchanging heated words with two men, he said. The rappers said it was the same men who had been kicked out of the club earlier that night.

After Williams and Walker both tried to intervene, Williams told Walker to ride with him in his Hummer limousine, and they drove off into the night, Walker said.


----

Same cousin that Marshall was wrestling with when he put his arm through the TV...

Brandon has been immature for years.

[baja]

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

If Marshall wouldn't have been one of the instigators which eventually led to DWills death he probably would feel so bad about the situation. Now the story will be told.

Justified or not it is very reasonable to expect Marshall to feel guilt in the DWill death. He should seek professional help to deal with it. This will follow him all his life if he does not find a way to forgive himself for his perceived part in this sad saga.

[SportinOne]

While i'm sure it affected him, in regard to the article... whatever man.

Marshall was b****ing because he got a ticket.. when i was 16 and got my first speeding ticket i felt the same way. "Why is this cop just sitting there waiting for people who are only going 10 over. Shouldn't he be out doing more important things with tax money?" Of course, i was 16 then, and i didn't say this to the cop.

Marshall is a heck of a player, but like a lot of professional athletes he is fully capable of acting like a little kid, which he's done a lot of.

i still say keep him, let him grow up and see how good he can get.

[strafen]

The important thing is not Marshall. We have to feel relieved that the killer of Darrent Williams is finally going to be brought to justice.
It's been a long ordeal for his family and friends...

[ZONA]

Originally Posted by ayjackson

I don't know the story very well living in Canada, but I think in our youth, we've all been instigators at times - but we don't always expect that someone will end up with a bullet in their neck.

Well said. Young men will be young men. Punching and fighting you can live with. But when chumps pull out guns to end lives, that's nobody's fault except the loser who pulled the trigger.

This article was total BS. Editor says to writer "we need to sell some newspapers, go write me something to ruffle some feathers, twist words, make stuff up, I don't care, just write something that's going to get people reading".

[BroncoMan4ever]

i can't believe it has been over 3 years since DWill died. such a waste, i really hope that ****er gets the chair.

on a side note, even though he left on bad terms, i have always felt bad for Walker.

RIP DWill

[epicSocialism4tw]

I dont think that this article is as bad as some people are intimating here.

If you were out partying with friends and one of them got killed in a fracas that you were involved in, would it not affect you? Especially when there still continues to be gang problems in Denver?

Marshall probably still hangs out in the type of places that those hoods that killed Darrent were hanging out in that night. You would be reminded every now and then, you would think about what might have happened if it was you who was in Darrent's place, and you would fear something similar happening to you.

[watermock]

Grow some balls, man up and testtify.

****ing wimps.

Gang rule has to end.

[strafen]

Originally Posted by BroncoMan4ever

i can't believe it has been over 3 years since DWill died. such a waste, i really hope that ****er gets the chair.

on a side note, even though he left on bad terms, i have always felt bad for Walker.

RIP DWill

Of all the people involved in that incident, Javon Walker is perhaps the one who had the hardest time dealing with it.
Darrent died on his lap.
That's got to be a very traumatizing event for anybody...

[strafen]

Originally Posted by watermock

Grow some balls, man up and testtify.

****ing wimps.

Gang rule has to end.

Man, you don't know what is like to be living your life looking over your shoulders. Especialy for a high-profile person/athlete.

[watermock]

Originally Posted by dragster69

Man, you don't know what is like to be living your life looking over your shoulders. Especialy for a high-profile person/athlete.

Do you?

Bull****.

[watermock]

Didnt' we all learn how "protecting his family" worked out for Tiger?

[strafen]

Originally Posted by watermock

Do you?

Bull****.

I'm not saying, nor did I say I have. At least not in a way to be expecting somebody to shoot at me.
You or anybody at one point in our lives may have experienced a similar situation, be it at school growing up or for whatever reason. It doesn't have to be of a life threatening situation, just be looking over your shoulders when you suspect something bad may happen to you. I know I have, but not in this magnitude.
So, it only takes a person to put himself in the shoes of another person going thru this problem to understand what that can feel like...

I remember living in the mountains and walking about a mile thru a dirt road leading to my place at night everyday with just a small flashlight on me.
Looking back, anything could've happened to me. I was always looking over my shoulders for anything out of the woods; a bear, mountain lion, a lunatic on the loose, you just never know.
Imagine living like that at all times...

[watermock]

I remember living in the mountains and walking about a mile thru a dirt road leading to my place at night everyday with just a small flashlight on me.
Looking back, anything could've happened to me. I was always looking over my shoulders for anything out of the woods; a bear, mountain lion, a lunatic on the loose, you just never know.
Imagine living like that at all times...

OMG!

You didn't have a gun

[watermock]

.

[BroncoMan4ever]

Originally Posted by watermock

Didnt' we all learn how "protecting his family" worked out for Tiger?

there is a major difference between Marshall's possible gang fears and Tiger getting caught slipping dick to 18 chicks that weren't his wife