A triple car crash claims the life of Khyree Jackson, a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings, who was only 24 years old. “Better Person, Great Player”

Two of the athlete’s high school teammates, Anthony Lytton and Isaiah Hazel, also lost their lives in the July 6 event.

Khyree Jackson, an NFL draft pick in 2024, passed away. His age was twenty-four.

According to a press release from the Maryland State Police, the sportsman, who was scheduled to make his NFL debut this autumn as the rookie cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings, passed away early on Saturday, July 6 in a “triple fatal car crash” in his native state of Maryland.

According to authorities, Isaiah Hazel, 23, and Anthony Lytton, Jr., 24, who were Jackson’s former teammates at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, also perished in the Prince George’s County collision. Jackson was in the passenger seat of the Dodge Charger that Hazel was operating. Lytton was at the rear, though.

Authorities say that three cars were involved in the collision: a silver Infiniti driven by Cori Clingman and a Chevrolet Impala. “Investigators believe Clingman attempted to change lanes while driving at a high rate of speed when she struck the Dodge Charger and then struck the Chevrolet Impala,” police stated. “The Charger subsequently traveled off of the right side of the roadway and struck multiple tree stumps where the vehicle came to rest.”

The driver of the Impala, Clingman, and the two occupants in her Infiniti are unharmed. Alcohol may have been a “contributing circumstance” in the collision, according to investigators.

In a tweet on X (previously Twitter), the men’s former high school athletic department expressed their sorrow at their passing. “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),” the message read. It continued, “#OnceAPumaAlwaysAPuma.”

Jackson’s passing was also expressed in an official statement by the Vikings. The statement said, “Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates, coaches, and all the victims of this tragic accident.”

A number of Vikings employees also sent their sympathy. Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf stated that Khyree “had an extremely bright future ahead of him as a player” and that “it was clear he was dedicated to being a tremendous person who made a positive difference in people’s lives.”

The general manager of the Vikings, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, expressed his grief over Khyree’s passing.

Adofo-Mensah said, “It was evident as we got to know him throughout the pre-draft process the goals Khyree wanted to accomplish both professionally and personally.” “His narrative exemplified perseverance.” He was making efforts to improve himself not only for himself but also for people who held him in high regard. Every space Khyree entered was captivated by his personality. That his life and everything that was ahead of him were taken so soon breaks my heart.

In a statement, head coach Kevin O’Connell said, “I am completely devastated by this news.” Khyree instilled a contagious excitement in our staff and facility. His teammates were drawn to him right away by his self-assurance and charismatic attitude.

“It was clear during our brief time together that Khyree was going to excel as a professional football player, but even more remarkable was his aspiration to become the best person he could be for his family and everyone around him,” O’Connell said. “I don’t know what to say.”

Dan Lanning, the former head coach of the University of Oregon, released a statement in response to Jackson’s unexpected passing. “Khyree, RIP. On X, the coach wrote, “I love you. “Stuck for words. Your grin will be missed. Fantastic player, even better guy.

Jackson had one of the most endearing off-season tales. The Vikings selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 selection in April. According to Sports Illustrated, the Maryland native had previously given up football completely since he didn’t have the grades to play D1 college game. Instead, he worked at a nearby grocery store.

“There was a moment when I wasn’t really thinking about football at all,” he stated in a Vikings video. “I had just been named the grocery store’s employee of the month.”

The cornerback decided to give football another go in 2019 and moved to Alabama, where he spent two seasons as a member of the Crimson Tide before moving to Oregon, where he attracted the notice of the Vikings.

Jackson wrote a touching statement on Instagram after his major draft moment, saying that he was “sitting here 48 hrs away from me and my family’s life changing.”

“What am I supposed to say? He remarked at the time, “I suppose the adage ‘life is what you make it’ really means exactly what it reads.” “I stood up and took what was rightfully mine.”