KIDWCKED
09-21-2010, 10:25 PM
c/p from foxsports by the a/p.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP)
Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said in a tearful news conference Tuesday that nobody in the organization saw any hint that wide receiver Kenny McKinley was suicidal before he took his life.
Kenny McKinley, during a preseason game against the Seahawks in 2009.
Otto Greule Jr
''We've all seen him recently. He's been the same person every time we see him. Liked junk food and chips and things like that,'' McDaniels said. ''He was in the cafeteria, or in the training room, when we were seeing him the last so many weeks here. Nothing that would alarm us to anything like this.''
McKinley's body was discovered by a female friend Monday afternoon when she returned to his Centennial home less than four miles from the team's headquarters after running an errand with his young son, Keon.
Arapahoe County Coroner Michael Dobersen said Tuesday that McKinley, 23, died of a gunshot wound to the head. He said a preliminary investigation ''suggests the wound to be self-inflicted.''
The team gathered Tuesday morning and met with grief counselors to help them deal with the death of their friend, who was on injured reserve after hurting his left knee in August and requiring surgery for the second time in eight months.
The players decided to leave McKinley's locker in place for the remainder of the season as a shrine to their teammate with an infectious smile who was always quick with a joke.
Linebacker Wesley Woodyard said McKinley was his usual joking and jovial self in recent weeks, something his college teammates agreed with after he visited the South Carolina campus earlier this month.
McDaniels said the Broncos will observe a moment of silence Sunday before their game against Indianapolis and players will wear white decals with the No. 11 in navy on their helmets.
REMEMBER
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier and current South Carolina players react to the death of Kenny. Read their responses on Scout.com.
McKinley was part of McDaniels' first draft class and McDaniels said nobody's been more excited to get that phone call than McKinley was.
He said he saw McKinley less than two weeks ago in the team cafeteria and saw him smiling as usual.
''You could see all of his teeth. Usually could,'' McDaniels said. ''I don't have any memories that are really negative about Kenny, because of the spirit he had.''
Woodyard said he saw McKinley a week and a half ago when the receiver was retrieving some items from his locker at Dove Valley. They ribbed each other, as usual.
''He had a big smile on his face. He just walked out of the building,'' Woodyard said. ''And that's the last thing we remember, that huge smile.''
Woodyard said nobody saw any signs that their friend was hurting on the inside.
''Every memory that we have of Kenny is a joke and a big smile,'' Woodyard said.
He said the Broncos will prepare for their game against the Colts with heavy hearts.
''We've got to play with him on our shoulders and in our hearts,'' Woodyard said. ''So, I think that's something that's going to allow us to continue to push through this week.''
This is the third time in four years the Broncos are dealing with the death of a teammate under stunning circumstances.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP)
Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said in a tearful news conference Tuesday that nobody in the organization saw any hint that wide receiver Kenny McKinley was suicidal before he took his life.
Kenny McKinley, during a preseason game against the Seahawks in 2009.
Otto Greule Jr
''We've all seen him recently. He's been the same person every time we see him. Liked junk food and chips and things like that,'' McDaniels said. ''He was in the cafeteria, or in the training room, when we were seeing him the last so many weeks here. Nothing that would alarm us to anything like this.''
McKinley's body was discovered by a female friend Monday afternoon when she returned to his Centennial home less than four miles from the team's headquarters after running an errand with his young son, Keon.
Arapahoe County Coroner Michael Dobersen said Tuesday that McKinley, 23, died of a gunshot wound to the head. He said a preliminary investigation ''suggests the wound to be self-inflicted.''
The team gathered Tuesday morning and met with grief counselors to help them deal with the death of their friend, who was on injured reserve after hurting his left knee in August and requiring surgery for the second time in eight months.
The players decided to leave McKinley's locker in place for the remainder of the season as a shrine to their teammate with an infectious smile who was always quick with a joke.
Linebacker Wesley Woodyard said McKinley was his usual joking and jovial self in recent weeks, something his college teammates agreed with after he visited the South Carolina campus earlier this month.
McDaniels said the Broncos will observe a moment of silence Sunday before their game against Indianapolis and players will wear white decals with the No. 11 in navy on their helmets.
REMEMBER
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier and current South Carolina players react to the death of Kenny. Read their responses on Scout.com.
McKinley was part of McDaniels' first draft class and McDaniels said nobody's been more excited to get that phone call than McKinley was.
He said he saw McKinley less than two weeks ago in the team cafeteria and saw him smiling as usual.
''You could see all of his teeth. Usually could,'' McDaniels said. ''I don't have any memories that are really negative about Kenny, because of the spirit he had.''
Woodyard said he saw McKinley a week and a half ago when the receiver was retrieving some items from his locker at Dove Valley. They ribbed each other, as usual.
''He had a big smile on his face. He just walked out of the building,'' Woodyard said. ''And that's the last thing we remember, that huge smile.''
Woodyard said nobody saw any signs that their friend was hurting on the inside.
''Every memory that we have of Kenny is a joke and a big smile,'' Woodyard said.
He said the Broncos will prepare for their game against the Colts with heavy hearts.
''We've got to play with him on our shoulders and in our hearts,'' Woodyard said. ''So, I think that's something that's going to allow us to continue to push through this week.''
This is the third time in four years the Broncos are dealing with the death of a teammate under stunning circumstances.