By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Sep 21st 2010 12:15AM
Filed under: Football
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Kenny McKinley was only 23 years old this year, but he was found dead in his apartment. McKinley appears to have died from a suicide, according to initial reports:
"Although the death of McKinley appears to be the result of a self-inflicted gunshot, the investigation in to this matter, conducted by the
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and the
Arapahoe County Coroner's Office, is on-going, " Arapahoe County Sheriff
Grayson Robinson said.
"Everyone with the Broncos is shocked and saddened by the loss of Kenny McKinley," President and CEO
Pat Bowlen said on the Broncos' website. "He was part of the Broncos family and will be greatly missed by our organization. My most heartfelt condolences go out to Kenny's family and friends."
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McKinley was a fifth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He has been injured a great deal as of late and was put on injured reserve for the start of the 2010 season. He is the third player on the Broncos team to die suddenly in the past three years. Three years ago,
Darrent Williams was
killed in a drive-by shooting, and the same year,
Damien Nash collapsed and died during a charity basketball game.
I am not sure what the situation is in Denver and why so many young black athletes have died after joining the Broncos. At this point, my mind runs wild with speculation and questions. I can't help but wonder if McKinley's on-the-field problems played a role in this suicide or if it was just a coincidence. Either way, he was too young to die, and we can all agree on that.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
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Comments: (12)
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By: just mr on 9/21/2010 11:16AM
Why does it make your mind race because the man was black. It should male your mind race that this young athlete thought he had no other choice than suicide. The other 2 "black" bronco players were merely coincidental. Nice race card play.
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By: bob on 9/21/2010 7:54AM
Yea Boyce, your mind is speculating alright! There must be a reason that to put the white man responsible.
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By: Rhonda Kelly on 9/21/2010 8:44AM
I READ THIS TWICE TO MAKE SURE I DIDNT MISS ANYTHING.SO I DIDNT SEE WHITE MAN ANYWHERE IN THE ARTICLE.LET ME GO BACK AGAIN BEFORE I POST.......NOPE
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By: The Truth on 9/21/2010 10:05AM
To Rhonda...
It's the authors' last paragraph drawing attention to "Black" athletes and not athletes in general, that gives cause for some minds to "run wild with speculation and questions".
Some are known for little more than repetitive innuendo. Because of that, their comments will remain suspect. Live by the sword...etc.
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By: teehee on 9/21/2010 10:02AM
Its the white mans fault they all died.
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By: ricky on 9/21/2010 11:17AM
seems the black speculator didn't appreciate my comment. Yet WAY TO GO WITH CONTINUING THE RACE CARD ROLE BROTHA!!! It is STILL SAD and I wonder why this YOUNG ATHLETE decided to take his life.
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By: If you dont cherish your life, then I won't cherish it either. on 10/02/2010 1:34PM
When suicide has been committed, it always sounds gross. Like how when you wanna gag and your muth starts watering because it's like ECK!
Disgusting.
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By: GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGR! on 10/02/2010 1:34PM
Ya'll sound so stupid everytime you bring up race. Is there some f---ed up parasite in your brain that links every situation to racial issues? This is NOT the old days and you aint NEVA marched so stop trying to act like you 'bout it.
DAMN, I'm black and if I post a story about a lollipop, ya'll will say OMG It's not a black lollipop because the person who made it hates black people. NOBODY thinks about it that much, really.
SSSSSHUUUT UUUUP!
I hope I don't have to say this every single time I go into ANY topic! Damn.
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By: sjw292 on 9/22/2010 8:15AM
Why don't the professional teams provide some kind of mentoring for these young players? Why doesn't someone who is older and wiser, and who has made it without scandal, arrest, etc., take the young ones under their wing and show them how to make it in the professional world. How to handle their money, who they should not be associating with, where they should not be associating. Assuring the young ones that it's not the end of the world if they do mess up or get injured. How to handle things like that. Show them that there is life after and without whatever athletic activity they play.
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By: The Answer on 9/22/2010 1:01PM
Idiots, the journalist is black himself and he was making reference to black atheletes in a biased manner as to relate becuase of his own ethnicity. Not to mention this is a black website! Why do people jump at the first opportunity to scream racism. Do you not have anything better to do? Bottom line is that this is tragic anyway you look at it, white or black.
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