Kenny McKinley, NFL player found dead. Now there is a headline the Denver Broncos hardly need to see after all the tragedy they have encountered over the past few years. McKinley, a wide receiver is believed to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in the ‘burbs of Denver.

It’s sad to see how attending teammate’s funerals is becoming a common practice for the Denver Broncos. Cornerback Darrent Williams was the victim of a drive-by shooting on New Year’s Day 2007 and that was followed by running back Damien Nash’s collapse and death after a charity basketball game.

The 23-year-old McKinley, a fifth-round draft choice out of South Carolina, was the Gamecock’s all-time leading wideout (207 receptions, 2,781 yds). Entering his second season in the NFL, he was on the field for 8 games as a rookie last season before banging up his knee and going on IR late in December 2009.

Since that injury, he appeared to have recovered and participated in the Broncos’ offseason workouts but later reinjured the same knee early in this year’s camp and again went on the IR last month.

Denver’s head Coach Josh McDaniels via press release:

“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.”

The Broncos will be meeting on Wednesday to get back to business and try to focus on prepping for their game against Indianapolis at Invesco Field on Sunday.

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Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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