Denver Broncos player Kenny McKinley, University of South Carolina’s all-time leader in receptions and regarded as one of the best players in program history, was found dead in his Denver home this evening. Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said authorities were called to McKinley’s home in Centennial on today and found his body in the second-floor master bedroom. McKinley's body was discovered in a second-floor bedroom with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. — the only rookie in the NFL to average at least 22 yards on kickoff returns and 10 yards on punt returns in 2009 College highlights: 
 
 Started his final three seasons at the University of South Carolina 
 
 Earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a junior in 2007 and honorable mention all-conference accolades as a senior in 2008 
 
 Finished his career at South Carolina with 207 receptions and 2,781 receiving yards Kenny McKinley bio 
 
 Age: 23 
 
 Dimensions: 6-feet, 183 pounds 
 
 College: South Carolina 
 
 Drafted: Fifth round by Denver (141st overall) in the 2009 draft 
 
 NFL highlights: 
 
 Second-year wide receiver who played eight games with the Broncos as a rookie in 2009 
 
 Returned seven kickoffs for 158 yards (22.6 avg.) He seemed in good spirits," South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier told The Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier Monday night. "Kenny was certainly one of my favorite all-time players," Spurrier added. He had a wonderful smile. It's hard to figure out how, or why, this happened. “It’s a sad day, a sad day.” 
 
 McKinley attended USC’s game at Georgia last weekend and spoke with athletics director Eric Hyman. "He had a great smile, like he always had. Norwood said he saw McKinley in Atlanta over the summer and did not sense his former teammate was having problems despite his injury woes. McKinley injured his knee halfway through last season and didn’t return; he was placed on injured reserve this season, meaning he wouldn’t have played. “I was just with him this summer … (he was) like the same old Kenny, give everybody a smile.” 
 
 McKinley played eight games on special teams last season with the Broncos, returning seven kicks for 158 yards and three punts for 32 yards. An NFL source told The Denver Post that McKinley had been in Atlanta visiting family recently but had returned to Denver on Sunday along with his young son. “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,” Denver coach Josh McDaniels said in a statement tonight; he is scheduled to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. today. “This is a tragic loss for our football team, and his family is in all of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” 
 
 “Everyone with the Broncos is shocked and saddened by the loss of Kenny McKinley,” Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said. “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.” 
 
 Josh Kendall, Neil White, Ron Morris, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, The Associated Press and the Denver Post contributed to this report.
– Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley has been found dead at his home from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 23-year-old athlete, who had been on the team's injured reserve list since early August with a knee injury, had recently returned from a visit to family in Atlanta with his young son, an NFL source tells the the Denver Post. McKinley had also recently been in South Carolina, where he was the Gamecocks' all-time leading receiver. "Kenny was certainly one of my favorite all-time players,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier told the Post and Courier. “He was one of them. He was a wonderful guy. It’s hard to figure out how, or why, this happened." McKinley is the third active Broncos player to die in the last four years.