Outro jogador do broncos morrendo.
2nd death shocks Broncos
Damien Nash had just hosted a charity basketball game in St. Louis
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 02/25/2007 10:40:22 AM MST
Tragedy struck the Broncos for the second time in less than two months Saturday when backup running back Damien Nash died after a charity basketball game he was hosting in St. Louis.
Nash was 24. Officials at Christian Hospital said Nash was pronounced dead at the hospital at 6:41 p.m. local time. The St. Louis coroner's office confirmed the death but said it had no further details. Several Broncos members said they had heard that initial indications were Nash suffered an apparent heart attack.
"Unbelievable," said associate head coach Steve Watson, who is in Indianapolis with other team officials at the NFL Combine. "Total incomprehension."
Nash was hosting the game Saturday at Riverview Gardens High School to benefit the Darris Nash Find a Heart Foundation, a charity that raises funds for heart transplant research. Damien Nash founded the charity in January in honor of his older brother, Darris, who has had a heart transplant. A Broncos official said Nash didn't have any history of heart problems that the team was aware of.
"He was so excited about this weekend," Nash's agent, David Canter, said.
Canter, who met with Broncos officials at a downtown Indianapolis hotel for two hours Saturday, said funeral arrangements are pending. Canter said Nash was married and had a 7-month-old daughter.
"What I remember most is that he had a picture of his wife and baby in his locker," Broncos director of player personnel Jim Goodman said. "That was important to him."
Signed as a free agent in August, Nash played in three games for the Broncos last season and finished with 18 carries for 66 yards. He was a rookie in 2005 with Tennessee, which drafted him in the fifth round. He played in three games for the Titans.
"The Denver Broncos organization is once again struck with profound sadness over the tragic loss of one of our players," Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement. "This is a tremendous tragedy, and our hearts go out to the entire Nash family."
Nash's death stunned the Broncos' contingent in Indianapolis. Team officials received the news while interviewing potential draft picks. Many team members simply shook their head in disbelief.
The death was another emotional blow to the organization. Popular right cornerback Darrent Williams, also 24, was shot and killed Jan. 1 while riding in a limousine after leaving a nightclub in Denver, just hours after the Broncos' season ended. Police have not made any arrests in that case.
"The Broncos family has suffered a great loss with the passing of Damien Nash," coach Mike Shanahan said in a statement. "I am stunned and deeply saddened by this tragedy and send my deepest condolences to Damien's family."
Denver strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten said he received a call from receiver Brandon Marshall, who was with Nash at the charity event. Marshall also was at the Denver nightclub with Williams shortly before he was killed.
"I told Brandon this is a time for everyone to be strong for Damien's family," Tuten said. "He was a great kid."
Sean Coffey, a former receiver at the University of Missouri, Nash's old school, was at the charity event with Nash.
"Everything was normal. ... We were playing around at the game. ... He was fine," Coffey told the St. Louis Post- Dispatch. "I give my best to his family. This is crazy. I can't believe this is happening. It was the first time I had seen him in a couple of years. I can't believe he's gone. I'm so happy I got to see him one last time."
Tuten said Nash was at Dove Valley twice last week working out. Running backs coach Bobby Turner said he talked to Nash on Thursday.
"I'm trying to figure everything out," said Turner, shaking his head as he was on his way to try to reach other Broncos running backs.
A native of St. Louis, Nash played two years at Missouri (2003 and '04) before declaring for the draft after his junior season. He signed with the Tigers out of high school but went to Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, playing there one season after hurting his knee in the opener his freshman year. Nash went to Riverview Gardens High School for three years before transferring his senior season to East St. Louis High in Illinois.
Damien Nash
The second-year pro died Saturday after hosting a charity basketball game in St. Louis. A look at his football career:
* Played in six NFL games, three with Denver in 2006 and three with Tennessee in 2005.
* NFL career totals 98 yards on 24 carries; also had 51 yards receiving.
* Drafted by Tennessee in fifth round out of Missouri; declared for NFL after his junior season.
* Played two seasons at Missouri after one season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.
* Born in St. Louis (April 14, 1982) and played quarterback at Riverview Gardens and East St. Louis (Ill.) high schools. Won state 5A title at Riverview Gardens.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
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rofl
e o 49ers nove (
), sem contar o salary cap mais alto. Tudo bem que a maior deficiência dos Niners é a defesa, mas um WR como Calvin Johnson vale a troca.
