Broncos receiver McKinley in apparent suicide

Police find the receiver dead in a second-floor bedroom, the death is believed to be through a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

DENVER // Kenny McKinley of the Denver Broncos was found dead in his home in an apparent suicide that has rocked the team. Grayson Robinson, the local sheriff, said authorities were called to McKinley's home in Centennial at 3.35pm on Monday and found the receiver's body in a second-floor bedroom. He said detectives believe McKinley, 23, was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Robinson said authorities were called by a female friend of McKinley's who discovered the body after returning from an errand with his child.

McKinley was on the Broncos' injured reserve with a knee injury, his second in eight months, and was ineligible to play this season. He was known for his infectious smile and good sense of humour. McKinley's death is the latest in a series of tragedies for the Broncos. Darrent Williams, The cornerback, was slain in a drive-by shooting on New Year's Day 2007, and three months later Damien Nash, the running back, collapsed and died after a charity basketball game in St Louis.

Josh McDaniels, the Broncos coach, said in a statement: "This is a tragic loss for our football team, and his family is in all of our thoughts and prayers." McKinley was a second-year professional who played in eight games as a rookie before going on injured reserve with a left knee injury in December. He was hurt again during the first week of training camp, in August. In other news, the New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Edwards was pulled over because his vehicle had excessive tinting on its windows. Police then noticed a strong smell of alcohol and arrested him.

*Associated Press