Sheriff: Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley found dead at home

Sheriff: Broncos WR Kenny McKinley found dead

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Arapahoe County Sheriff says Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley was found dead in his home in an apparent suicide.

Sheriff Grayson Robinson says authorities were called to McKinley’s home in Centennial on Monday and found his body in the second-floor master bedroom. He says detectives believe McKinley was killed by an self-inflicted gunshot wound.

McKinley’s death is the latest in a series for tragedies for the Broncos since 2007. Cornerback Darrent Williams was slain in a drive-by shooting on New Year’s Day 2007 and three months later backup running back Damien Nash collapsed and died after a charity basketball game in St. Louis.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley was found dead in his home Monday, authorities said.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said authorities were called to McKinley’s home in Centennial and found his body. Robinson said he couldn’t provide any more details because detectives were investigating and in the process of notifying relatives.

“Everyone with the Broncos is shocked and saddened by the loss of Kenny McKinley,” team owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement. “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.”

The Broncos said coach Josh McDaniels would meet with the media on Tuesday.

In a statement, McDaniels said: “Kenny had a promising future on the football field, but more importantly, he was a great teammate whose smile and personality could light up the room. This is a tragic loss for our football team, and his family is in all of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

McKinley was a second-year pro who was on the team’s injured reserve list with a leg injury. He played in eight games as a rookie in 2009 with seven kick returns for 158 yards.

McKinley was a fifth-round draft choice out of South Carolina in 2009. He attended South Cobb High School in Austell, Ga.

McKinley remains South Carolina’s all-time leading receiver with 207 catches for 2,781 yards. He came back to the school earlier this month, watched the Gamecocks beat Georgia 17-6 and visited with his college coach, Steve Spurrier.

“Had a wonderful smile just like he always did,” Spurrier said.

The news of McKinley’s death spread quickly at the end of South Carolina’s practice Monday. Players who normally sprint off the field upbeat walked slowly with their heads down.

“Kenny was certainly one of my all-time favorite players. It’s hard to figure out why it happened like this,” Spurrier said.

Several Broncos players were attending a fundraiser Monday night in honor of Darrent Williams, their teammate who was killed in a drive-by shooting on Jan. 1, 2007.

Three months later, Broncos backup running back Damien Nash collapsed and died after a charity basketball game in St. Louis in March 2007.

AP Sports Writer Pete Iacobelli in Columbia, S.C., and Pat Graham in Denver contributed to this report.