Tierria Leonard remembers her late boyfriend as he was poised to make his mark in the NFL.
Highlights
- Darrent Williams was a promising cornerback for the Denver Broncos, known for his speed and charisma.
- His career was tragically cut short when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2007.
- His girlfriend, Tierria Leonard, has been a pillar of strength, raising their two children, Darius and Jaelyn, while keeping Williams’ memory alive.
- Darius has followed in his father’s footsteps, showing a keen interest in football, while Jaelyn has excelled in her academic pursuits and sports.
Darrent Williams was a promising cornerback for the Denver Broncos, known for his speed, agility, and infectious charisma.
Born on September 27, 1982, in Fort Worth, Texas, Williams made a name for himself at Oklahoma State University before being drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
His career, though brief, was marked by impressive performances and a bright future ahead.
Tragically, his life was cut short on January 1, 2007, when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Denver, Colorado.
Never forget. 💙
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 1, 2025
Today — and always — we remember Darrent Williams (1982-2007). pic.twitter.com/73S1Imjb8N
Williams’ untimely death left a void not only in the hearts of his fans and teammates but also in his family.
His girlfriend, Tierria Leonard, has been a pillar of strength, carrying forward his legacy while raising their two children, Darius and Jaelyn.
Tierria Fondly Remembers Her Time With Darrent
Tierria Leonard, a resilient and dedicated woman, has managed to keep her boyfriend’s memory alive by raising their two kids.
She occasionally shares memories of her and Darrent on her Facebook.
Not much is known about her career and whereabouts since Darrent’s passing.
In an interview, Leonard remembered an especially sweet memory of Christmas 2006, saying,
We flew up there [Denver] and we were there a couple of days before Christmas and we went shopping and we decorated the tree. We did all of that. That was our last family memory that we had and they were good memories.
nytimes.com
Unfortunately we don’t celebrate New Year’s at all. I probably should start trying to, but we don’t celebrate it.
In her personal life, Tierria has faced the challenges of single parenthood with grace and determination.
She has been a guiding force for Darius and Jaelyn, instilling in them the values and principles that Darrent held dear.
Her efforts to preserve his legacy are evident in the way she has nurtured their children, encouraging them to pursue their passions and dreams.
Darius Williams Honors His Father By Following In His Footsteps
Now around the same age his dad was when he passed, Darius Williams has followed in his father’s footsteps and shows a keen interest in football.
He proudly wore his father’s number 27 jersey during his high school career at Fort Worth Arlington Heights.
In remembrance, Darius has tattooed the jersey number and “9-27-1982,” Darrent’s date of birth, on his arm.
Darius was 7 at the time of his passing.
He played collegiate football at Texas A&M-Commerce.
In an interview, Darius recalled,
I remember a lot, really. He would pick me up from school. He has this blue Impala. Old-school Impala. Rims, butterfly doors, bunch of screens in there. He would pick me up from school and go to my granny’s house, and he would back the car in and everybody, all his homeboys, they used to come play Madden in the trunk.
nytimes.com
Senior year tape 🎰🎰💨💨 pic.twitter.com/JnV47Gmcrt
— DARIUS WILLIAMS 🎰 (@Will27D) December 4, 2022
Jaelyn, on the other hand, has been excelling in her academic pursuits, embodying the same determination and spirit that defined her father.
Now in her 20s, Jaelyn played volleyball and ran track in high school.
She graduated in 2020 and lives a low-key life.
Jaelyn was 4 when her dad passed.
Darrent Had A Promising Career Ahead Of Him
Darrent Williams’ career, though tragically short, was filled with memorable moments and significant achievements.
As a rookie, he quickly became a key player for the Broncos, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2005.
His ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions made him a valuable asset to the team.
Over his two seasons with the Broncos, Williams recorded 139 total tackles, six interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.
RIP to a @CowboyFB legend
— Dustin J (@405pokefan) October 28, 2024
Darrent Williams had the heart of a warrior and was electric with the ball in his hands. In 2003 he was 1st team All Big 12 and was drafted in the 2nd Rd by the Denver Broncos where he made the All Rookie team in 2005. Darrents life was tragically cut… pic.twitter.com/nuXpzuLyJz
Off the field, Williams was known for his vibrant personality and positive attitude.
He was a beloved figure in the locker room, always ready to lift his teammates’ spirits with his infectious smile and unwavering optimism.
Former Broncos safety John Lynch, now an NFL analyst for Fox, said about Darrent,
There’s kind of a general rule in the NFL when you’re a rookie, where you just kind of shut up and do your job. In Year 2, you can start talking. But Darrent was one of those kids who got away with it, because he came in talking and was such a positive energy and so much fun. That smile. You’d look at him like, ‘Come on rookie,’ but you couldn’t help but crack up.
durangoherald.com
His tragic death was a stark reminder of the senseless violence that can shatter lives and communities.
Additional Information
- During his senior year at O. D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth, Texas, Darrent Williams was named the 7-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player. He posted five interceptions, including several long returns, and averaged 30 yards per punt return with four touchdowns.
- At Oklahoma State University, Williams had an impressive college career. In his junior year, he recorded 66 tackles and six interceptions, earning first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors.
- The man convicted of killing Darrent Williams, Willie Clark, was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,152 years. This sentence was due to Clark being declared a habitual criminal, which added to his prison time.
