It’s been an emotional 24 hours in Denver, and the contents of a police report concerning wide receiver Kenny McKinley’s death only makes the story tougher to swallow.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s office police report states that McKinley had been suffering from depression since undergoing knee surgery four weeks ago, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. While he never let on to his teammates, McKinley told others shortly after his surgery “that he should just kill himself.”
The report mentioned McKinley was worried about what he would do if he couldn’t play football, because that’s all he knew.
McKinley was found by two female friends, who were watching McKinley’s young son Keon for the day. All three were present when the police arrived.
The police said the floor McKinley was on was “very smoky” and an officer “could smell a strong odor of marijuana” when they arrived. McKinley was found with a pillow over his head and his hand just below a semiautomatic gun’s grip.
Those who knew McKinley said he had a sunny personality and was quick with a smile, which somehow makes the news sadder.
The NFLPA has laudably set up a trust fund for Keon McKinley, Kenny’s son. Information on donations can be seen here.