The mother of slain cornerback Darrent Williams says she'll visit the Denver Broncos when they practice with the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas, on Thursday.
Rosalind Williams told The Associated Press from her home in Fort Worth that she decided to accept coach Mike Shanahan's invitation even though she knows it will be emotionally difficult to see the team for the first time since her son's funeral eight months ago.
Williams was slain on New Year's Day in Denver in a drive-by shooting that remains unsolved.
"It's difficult to see them, difficult knowing they're in town," Rosalind Williams told The AP on Wednesday night. "But I feel good they're near and they're close. That makes me feel good. I'm going to visit them tomorrow.
"I don't know what I'll tell them. Just seeing them, them seeing me, being able to see each other and hug each other will speak volumes," she added. "There may or may not be words. Just seeing each other is going to be a lot of therapy. It will give us all strength."
At the NFL's request, Rosalind Williams taped a message that was shown to all 32 NFL teams this preseason during the league's annual player safety meetings. She said her message was: "Never think you're too safe. Always be careful of your surroundings and be aware of your surroundings."
Her son was killed when his limousine was sprayed with bullets minutes after leaving a New Year's Eve party at a club in downtown Denver.
There are several suspected gang members in custody on federal drug charges that police believe have information on who pulled the trigger and killed the 24-year-old cornerback who had just completed his second year in the NFL.
Williams' mother said the family understands the difficulty in getting witnesses to cooperate because of the specter of gangs but has faith that his killer will be charged and convicted.
"We understand that because it was such a cowardly act, it's hard to pinpoint one gunman. He was in a vehicle driving by and rolling down the window, there were several people in the vehicle and they didn't catch them that night so they couldn't do the hand (gun powder) test on anyone," she said. "So, we understand that as a family. However, I have no doubt they'll be brought to justice."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
