DENVER — The teenager glances at the picture in his room of Darrent Williams returning a kick, reading the inscription he long ago memorized.

“To my wonderful son, Darius, daddy will always love you. Keep doing good in school, in sports. When you think of me, and I’m not there, look at this picture.”

And so the son does, each day. A prized memento from his father just before his death.

In the early hours of Jan. 1, 2007, Williams, a 24-year-old defensive back and kick returner for Denver, was shot to death after a confrontation between Broncos players and gang members at a nightclub.

The family does not really celebrate New Year’s anymore. But they do celebrate Williams.

“He’ll always be alive in our hearts,” said Tierria Leonard, who had two children with Williams, Jaelyn, now 14, and Darius, 17.