ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Cornerback Domonique Foxworth has spearheaded the drive to honor slain teammate Darrent Williams by building a memorial teen center at the Boys and Girls Club in the Montbello neighborhood of Denver.
He’s also taught a writing course at the club and worked to encourage college attendance.
For his efforts, the Denver Broncos named him their Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award recipient on Friday.
“I never thought growing up that I would be anywhere near Walter Payton in any category, ever,” Foxworth said.
His name will be submitted to the NFL for the league-wide award handed out at the Super Bowl.
“We all know that’s not happening, but if I was able to do that, it would mean a lot,” Foxworth said. “Obviously, that’s not what it’s about. Everyone likes to be recognized for their hard work on and off the field. But that’s not what it’s about. When we get the teen center up, that’s the feeling that I’m looking forward to.”
The teen center is expected to open in March.
“I can’t explain how important it is to me. It means so much,” Foxworth said. “I don’t know how to phrase it, but it kind of puts a positive spin on what’s gone on and I feel like—I hope—it will give me the final bit of closure that I need.
“I mean, it still hurts to think about. And when the whole thing happened with Sean Taylor, it just hurts. That’s how I’ve been mourning is working there,” Foxworth said.
“No matter how much money you donate, you always have a chance to gain it back. But if you give a lot of time, you never get those seconds, minutes, hours or days back, so it shows your true commitment to a cause.”
Williams’ drive-by slaying remains unsolved. The tragedy was brought back into focus with the killing this week of Taylor, a star defensive back for the Washington Redskins who was shot in his home in Florida.
Foxworth, a third-year pro from Maryland, was recognized during a team meeting on Friday. The Broncos will award $10,000 to a charitable cause of his choice. Champ Bailey, Jay Cutler and John Lynch, who were the other finalists, each will receive $2,000 donated toward a charity.
John Elway (1992) is the only Broncos player ever to win the national award, which was first given in 1970 and renamed after the Chicago Bears’ Hall of Fame running back in 1999.
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INJURY UPDATE@: Running back Andre Hall was held out of practice for a third straight day with a high ankle sprain he suffered on his first carry at Chicago last week before toughing it out for 98 yards on 26 carries.
Hall was the only one held out of practice, coach Mike Shanahan said.
Running backs Travis Henry (knee) and Selvin Young (knee), who sat out the Bears game, are expecting to suit up Sunday at Oakland.
“Everything about my knee is good,” Henry said. “Hey, it’s been that type of year.”
Wide receivers Javon Walker (knee) and Brandon Stokley (knee), who were among the injured this week, practiced a second straight day without restraints.
Stokley walked around the locker room without the huge ice pack he’d had on his knee the previous four days.
“I’m good to go,” Stokley said. “The knee was sore, but now I’m OK now.”
