Comics » Washburn University’s joy over one of its own going

TOPEKA http://www.houstontexansteamonline.com/kahale-warring-jersey , Kan. (AP) — to the pros quickly shifted to grief this weekend after a shooting killed a current Washburn football player and wounded the former member of the team who was drafted by the New York Giants just hours earlier.Police in Topeka, Kansas, where the university is located, said officers found 23-year-old defensive back Dwane Simmons dead when they investigated gunshots shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday. Cornerback Corey Ballentine was wounded, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Ballentine http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/bobby-okereke-jersey , also 23, grew up in Topeka and was picked by the Giants on Saturday in the sixth round of the NFL draft.A preliminary investigation determined that the shooting occurred during a social gathering outside a residence, Topeka police spokeswoman Gretchen Koenen said in an email Sunday evening. She said dozens of people were at the gathering and police were working to gather evidence and witness statements.“We want to emphasize that we need those who were present to let us know what they saw,” Koenen said.Washburn president Jerry Farley said, “This was a terrible way to end a day which should have been a day of celebration and a day to look forward to Dwane’s upcoming year at Washburn and the beginning of Corey’s professional career.”Washburn coach Craig Schurig said Simmons’ death is heartbreaking. He said Simmons http://www.jacksonvillejaguarsteamonline.com/jawaan-taylor-jersey , a junior from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, maintained a great attitude even while battling through two knee injuries.“Dwane is one of the most energetic and well-liked players I have ever coached at Washburn,” Schurig said. “Dwane’s infectious smile and love for football and his teammates was truly inspirational.”Farley said both Simmons and Ballentine have been great representatives of the university.It’s not yet clear how Ballentine’s injuries from the shooting might affect his football career.In a statement Sunday, the Giants said http://www.jacksonvillejaguarsteamonline.com/gardner-minshew-ii-jersey , “We are aware of the tragic situation and continue to gather information. We have spoken to Corey, and he is recovering in the hospital. Our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons’ family, friends and teammates and the rest of the Washburn community.” After Giants General Manager Dave Gettleman justified his decision to take Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick in the draft by saying he knows for a fact two other teams would have taken Jones in the first half of Round 1, a report emerged that the two teams were Washington and Denver. But that may not be the case.According to Mike Klis of 9 News, the Broncos would not have taken Jones in the first round. In fact http://www.losangelesramsteamonline.com/darrell-henderson-jersey , Klis (who is always plugged-in to Broncos General Manager John Elway) tweets that Drew Lock was Denver’s No. 1 quarterback. The Broncos eventually took Lock with the 42nd overall pick, but Denver passed on Lock in the first round.That doesn’t mean Gettleman is wrong that would have taken Jones before the Giants got their next pick at No. 17 overall, but the report is that it definitely wasn’t the Broncos.If Jones was Gettleman’s top-rated quarterback, taking him at No. 6 was probably smarter than sitting and waiting and hoping he would be there at No. 17. The Giants need a successor to Eli Manning and couldn’t risk missing out on their top choice. But few outside the Giants organization had Jones rated as highly.