Man who killed NFL player is sentenced
DENVER — A gang member convicted of killing Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams in a drive-by shooting was sentenced Friday to life in prison plus 1,152 years after family members recounted the devastating impact of the killing.
Willie Clark, 26, was convicted of first-degree murder in the New Year's Day 2007 slaying of Williams after a confrontation at a nightclub.
Rosalind Williams called her son's slaying a cowardly act and said gang violence must be stopped.
"Now, whenever someone tells me happy New Year, it hurts," she said in court. "Now, when anybody says happy Mother's Day, it hurts because my baby will never be able to tell me happy Mother's Day again."
She urged Clark to show remorse for the violence: "Make your mom and your dad proud. I know my son made me proud," she said.
Clark, however, smiled at times as he leaned and whispered into his attorney's ear while Williams and other relatives spoke. Chief Deputy District Attorney Tim Twining said Clark lived in a gang culture where a simple insult was enough to send him into a murderous rage. Clark, along with two other suspects, also faces a first-degree murder charge in the slaying of a witness less than a month before Williams was killed.
During a hearing earlier Friday, Clark was declared a habitual criminal, making him eligible for the 1,152 years in prison
Favre needs ankle surgery if he returns
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The annual waiting game to see whether Brett Favre returns to the NFL got a bit more complicated Friday.
The 40-year-old quarterback said in a statement posted on his website that he needs surgery on his left ankle in order to play this season for the Minnesota Vikings. But he said he's had surgery on it twice before, the injury "is not debilitating" and he's come through far worse in his career.
"I don't believe major surgery on the ankle would be required for me to return in 2010," Favre said. "I've consulted with Dr. (James) Andrews on the phone, and a relatively minor procedure could be done to improve the dexterity of the ankle, and to relieve the pain. ... I've put up with pain worse than this in my career, and I didn't want anyone to assume that the possibility of surgery was the sole factor that would determine whether I return or not."
Currently holding all the NFL's major career passing records, Favre will turn 41 in October.
NFL's oldest player retires after 22 years
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The oldest active player in the NFL has retired.
New York Giants punter Jeff Feagles announced his retirement on Friday after 22 seasons and a league-record 352 consecutive games.
"As an undrafted free agent in 1988, I would never have thought I could have played this wonderful game for 22 seasons," Feagles said. "I appreciated all the National Football League has given me. One thing I never did was take anything for granted in my career. I was always grateful to have a job and to be able to take care of my family.
"I always had a fear of losing my job and tried to always work harder than the next guy," he said. "I always wanted to be the best at my position and do everything I could to help the team win."
The 44-year-old Feagles signed a contract earlier this month to play another season, but he changed his mind in the past week or so after experiencing some physical problems while getting ready for next season.
"I just can't do it anymore," Feagles said. "My body is not letting me respond to it. It's time to move on."