The Redskins continued to lean on the Broncos’ experience in dealing with the sudden, tragic loss of a player.
While other NFL teams mourn Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who died Tuesday after being shot, the Broncos can relate more personally. On the first day of this year, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Denver after attending a New Year’s Eve party.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen spoke Wednesday with Redskins owner Dan Snyder, and coach Joe Gibbs said he spoke with Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. The teams were in contact Tuesday as well.
“I think the experience we went through last year, and what worked, what seemed to be the best way to do it and those kinds of things,” Bowlen said when explaining his talk with Snyder. “At least you can be there to help them and tell them what our experience was.”
Taylor was a former teammate and friend of several Broncos. He played at the University of Miami with linebacker D.J. Williams and center Chris Myers, and linebacker Nate Webster was a close friend and worked out with Taylor during the offseason. Broncos quarterback Patrick Ramsey was a teammate of Taylor’s with the Redskins. D.J. Williams and Webster plan to attend Taylor’s funeral Monday in Miami and Myers hopes to as well.
As the Broncos did for Darrent Williams’ services, the entire Redskins organization is planning to attend Taylor’s funeral.
The Redskins host Buffalo on Sunday and Chicago next Thursday.
Williams died just eight hours after the Broncos’ 2006 season ended. Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said he couldn’t fathom playing during the midst of the Williams tragedy.
“It’s going to be tough for those guys,” Cutler said of the Redskins. “I don’t know how they’re going to do it. Maybe they’ll rally around it and pull it together, but I couldn’t even imagine going through it.”
Bill Williamson: 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
