Football World Mourns Tragic Death of Vikings Rookie Khyree Jackson
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings and their fans are grieving on Saturday after the tragic loss of Khyree Jackson.
We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident.
Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.
💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/pkgC4kQtWi
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 6, 2024
Khyree Jackson, the Minnesota Vikings’ fourth-round pick in 2024, passed away after a fatal multi-car crash in Maryland overnight on July 6. Jackson was in a car with two of his high school teammates, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr., at the time of the crash. Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, and Lytton was transported to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to a statement by Maryland police, Hazel was driving a Dodge Charger, with Jackson in the passenger seat and Lytton in the backseat, when a silver Infiniti Q50 attempted to change lanes at a high speed. The Infiniti struck the Charger and a Chevy Impala, and the Charger ran off the right side of the road where it struck multiple tree stumps.
None of the occupants of the other vehicles were injured in the collision. Police also say that alcohol may have been a contributing factor to the Infiniti driver’s erratic driving. The crash is currently under investigation and charges are pending.
Jackson, who was 24 years old, had a long journey as a college football player. He spent one season at Arizona Western College before dropping out, then moved back to his home in Maryland, where he worked at a grocery store deli and pursued playing NBA 2K professionally.
Jackson got a second opportunity to play football at Fort Scott Community College in 2019, where he totaled 25 tackles and three interceptions. He then transferred to East Mississippi Community College for the 2020 season, though that season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then came an opportunity to be a backup defensive back at Alabama, where Jackson totaled 14 tackles, two passes defended, and one sack in his two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
After spending two seasons at Alabama, where he was teammates with Vikings’ 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner, he transferred to Oregon. In his lone season with the Ducks, he accumulated 34 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, seven passes defended, and was named to the First Team All-Pac-12.
Soon after news of Jackson’s passing broke, tributes poured in on Twitter.
Khyree Jackson had potential for one of the best comeback stories in sports after he worked his way back to football from a grocery store deli. I’m beyond heartbroken for him, his family, and teammates. Be safe and love on your people. pic.twitter.com/rCfej6DKZV
— Jason Harmon (@_jason_777) July 6, 2024
Prayers up for the family, friends and loved ones of former FSU and Penn State Corner Back AJ Lytton Jr. and former Maryland and Charlotte corner back Isaiah Hazel who also died in the same car accident as Khyree Jackson. All high school teammates and all gone way too soon. https://t.co/8ePSp7xkcO pic.twitter.com/zDqZJ5djrC
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 6, 2024
The Dr. Henry A. Wise Athletic Department sends condolences to the families and mourns the loss of Khyree Jackson (State Champ 2016 c/o '17) Anthony Lytton, Jr. (AJ) (State Champ 2015,16,17 c/o '18) and Isaiah Hazel (State Champ 2015, 16, 17 c/o '19). #OnceAPumaAlwaysAPuma pic.twitter.com/8SsQEgbR0G
— Wise Athletics (@WisePumaSports) July 6, 2024
Seeing all the beautiful tributes roll in for Khyree Jackson, one thing is clear: He was BELOVED by his teammates and coaches. An energetic and upbeat personality that impacted whoever he met. An amazing soul gone way too soon.
Rest in Power, Khyree 🙏💜 pic.twitter.com/CxQ1ILjhgn
— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) July 6, 2024
Official statements from the Minnesota Vikings, owner Zygi Wilf, head coach Kevin O’Connell, and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can be read here.
Our thoughts are with the families of Jackson, Hazel, and Lytton, the Vikings’ organization, and everyone mourning for them.
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