Kenny Mckinley


Kenny Mckinley

Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels will speak to the media Tuesday about the death of wide receiver Kenny McKinley.

McKinley was found dead Monday afternoon in a Colorado home. Authorities said it appeared the young wide receiver died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

He was 23.

"Deputies discovered a male in the second-floor master bedroom of the home and determined that male was deceased," the Arapahoe County sheriff's department said in a statement. "Although the death of Mr. McKinley appears to be the result of a self-inflicted gunshot, the investigation into this matter ... is ongoing."

McKinley was selected by the Broncos in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2009 NFL draft from the University of South Carolina. He attended South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia.

He played in eight games with the Broncos as a rookie, but was placed on injured reserve before the start of the 2010 season after suffering a knee injury, according to the team.

"Everyone with the Broncos is shocked and saddened by the loss of Kenny McKinley," Broncos President and CEO Pat Bowlen said in a statement on the Broncos' website. "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."

McKinley is at least the third Bronco to have died since 2007. Cornerback Darrent Williams, 24, was fatally shot near downtown Denver, Colorado, on January 1, 2007. Running back Damien Nash, 24, died after collapsing at a charity basketball game later that winter.

McDaniels, the Broncos coach, called the death tragic.

"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," McDaniels said.

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