Miami – In what would be the most prestigious honor bestowed upon a Bronco this season, John Lynch is expected to receive the Bart Starr Award when it is announced Saturday morning.
The award, named after the Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame quarterback who was known for his humble, professional demeanor, is given annually to the player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, field and community.
Lynch, a safety who next week will play in his eighth Pro Bowl, formed his own foundation, which primarily benefits children’s charities.
The award will be announced during the NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl breakfast hosted by the Christian group Athletes in Action. It is comparable to the NHL’s Lady Byng Trophy and baseball’s Roberto Clemente Award as humanitarian honors.
Lynch, a finalist along with Atlanta running back Warrick Dunn and Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, will fly here with his wife Linda for the ceremony. Tony Dungy, Lynch’s coach at Tampa Bay and current coach of the AFC champion Colts, and Starr will be among those attending the presentation.
Williams anniversary
As Darrent Williams’ family copes with the one-month anniversary of his murder today, they take solace in the support and thoughts shared by people in his adopted home state.
“We’re still getting tons of letters and cards,” his uncle Demond Williams said Wednesday. “We’ve gotten letters from so many places, but most are coming from Colorado. The people of that state have been great. It’s nice to know that Darrent was so well-liked there.”
The Fort Worth, Texas, native was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting while riding in a limousine in the early hours of Jan. 1. The public outpouring of support has overwhelmed the Williams family. Demond Williams said Darrent’s mother, Rosalind, has received letters from families of other shooting victims, including families of the Columbine High School shootings in 1999.
Demond Williams said Rosalind Williams is planning to personally write thank-you cards to everyone who has sent a card or letter.
“I told her she’s going to be writing cards until June,” Demond Williams said.
The family continues to get support from the NFL and the Broncos. Recently, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell invited Rosalind Williams to attend Sunday’s Super Bowl as his guest. She respectfully declined because she is in mourning and didn’t feel up to attending a game, but Demond Williams said she expressed her deep gratitude to Goodell for the offer.
“Everyone is making this easier with their thoughts,” Demond Williams said.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
