Tributes across the NFL are pouring in following the tragic death of Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson.
Jackson’s mother, Ebbony Jackson, confirmed the death to TMZ, telling the outlet that she received a call around 4 a.m. on Saturday that her son had died in his hometown of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. State Police told TMZ that Jackson, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton were driving in a maroon Dodge Charger in Upper Marlboro early on Saturday morning when they collided with two other automobiles.
Jackson and Hazel were both pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while Lytton was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Nobody else was injured in the crash, which is believed to have occurred when a silver Infiniti rammed into the Charger while trying to change lanes at a high rate of speed, sending the Charger crashing into a moving Chevy Impala before barreling off the roadway into a bunch of trees before it came to a final stop.
A former standout at Dr. Henry Wise High School, Jackson spent two seasons at Alabama and one at Oregon during his college career. The Vikings selected the first-team All-Pac-12 selection in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft and the 24-year-old was expected to provide depth to Minnesota’s secondary during his rookie season.
As news of Jackson’s tragic passing was made public on Saturday, many across the NFL and sports world took to social media to pay tribute.
Absolutely devastating. Heartbreaking. Spoke to Khyree Jackson’s agent, and the news is true. Devastating.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 6, 2024
Naaaah not lil Khyree 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
— Jonathan Greenard (@jongreenard7) 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
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
Statement from Head Coach Kevin O’Connell on Khyree Jackson’s tragic passing pic.twitter.com/Sa7dffCTof
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 6, 2024
The NFL family is deeply saddened and devasted by the passing of Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, loved ones and everybody involved in this tragic accident. pic.twitter.com/Qj2rc4YgNv
— NFL (@NFL) July 6, 2024
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 (@_jason_777) July 6, 2024
Khyree Jackson turned his life around. He had a minor arrest in junior college that was later dropped, worked at a grocery store while gaming, got back into football and made the most of his last opportunity in college to be the top CB in the Pac-12 and made the NFL. Awful news.
— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) July 6, 2024
Prayers up for the family, friends and loved ones of Khyree Jackson. The former Oregon Duck and current Minnesota Vikings Corner Back died in a car accident last night at the age of 24. Gone way too soon. Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/XBKh2IG24G
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 6, 2024
[TMZ]
