Football is unequivocally America’s favourite pastime. It’s also one of its best imports to the rest of the world. Some of the best things about the country pertain to the sport. Unfortunately, it’s not devoid of the worst things about the country. We’d like to have football exclusive to itself, existing in a fairytale land. However, it’s founded in reality after all, and the issues of the real world ever so often seep in. They did on one fateful New Year’s Day in 2007.

A celebratory Denver Broncos team hit the club mere hours after playing the San Francisco 49ers. The plan was simple: Bring in ’08 and celebrate the birthday of former NBA no.1 overall pick Kenyon Martin, then at the Nuggets. What transpired was not part of the plan. An altercation between a couple of players and members of a gang ensued, which culminated in a drive-by shooting.

Cornerback Darrent Williams succumbed to a bullet to his neck area almost instantly. He was merely 24, and had just finished his second season in the NFL. 18 years on, the tragedy still reverberates across the football sphere. Deion Sanders, who’s had an imprint on Colorado football through his escapades coaching the Buffaloes, alongside fans witnessed his confidante and associate express their condolences.

Romi Bean, a sports reporter and anchor who covers teams in and around Colorado and is an omnipresent member of Buffs’ media, took to IG to share a message. “All ready 🙏🕊️🤍” she said, as she relayed a picture of Darrent Williams posted by the Denver Broncos’ handle. As someone who grew up in Colorado since she was 2 years old, Romi Bean has witnessed the grief of the city of Denver and beyond first-hand. Deion Sanders and his CU team may have alleviated some sorrow with their upheaval. However, Williams’ passing is etched in Colorado sports history permanently.

Gun violence has been an epidemic plaguing the country for aeons. More stringent laws around firearms have been hypothesized but have never been realized. Deion Sanders has echoed concern of guns being normalized, suggesting they’re “floating around” in the Buffs’ dressing room back in August. Something that he wished to change the culture around. The especially poor circumstances around the murder of Darrent Williams act as a proponent of why change is necessitated around society at large.

Shocking details around the murder of Darrent Williams make it an even bigger travesty

As if murder in cold blood isn’t enough. What if the bullet leaving the chamber and hitting you isn’t even meant for you? About 4 years after this went down, more details became conspicuous as people got indicted. It turned out the gang members wanted to kill a teammate of Darrent Williams.

Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall was the one who reportedly instigated the preceding altercation. Williams had no involvement. Perhaps some confusion occurred due to the volatility of the situation and how quickly everything went down. Williams ended up inadvertently saving Marshall, who went on to have a successful career.

Although 18 years have passed, Deion Sanders and Romi Bean, alongside everyone touched by this tragedy, are still seeing similar patterns and events. Darrent Williams did, however, leave a morbidly pleasant example. As athletes are now more cautious than ever about security and their inner circles when they’re out and about. Wish he continues to rest in peace.