Minnesota Vikings to cover rookie Khyree Jackson’s funeral expenses and pay his full $827,000 signing bonus to his estate after the 24-year-old was killed in a car crash this month

The Minnesota Vikings are paying the remainder of Khyree Jackson’s $827,000 signing bonus to the cornerback’s estate after the 24-year-old NFL rookie died in a car crash earlier this month.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah announced the plans Monday, saying the team would also pay a large portion of his funeral expenses and that players would wear a Jackson decal on their helmets in 2024.

O’Connell told reporters Monday what it was like to hear about the fatal car crash.

“It’s the phone call that all coaches dread the most,” he said. “Getting that phone call and knowing that not only Khyree, but two other tragic lives were lost. All the young adults gone way too soon. It leaves you heartbroken.”

Jackson and two of his former high school teammates were killed in a car crash in Maryland on July 6.

He and Isaiah Hazel died at the scene, while Anthony Lytton, Jr., was pronounced dead at a hospital after the three-car crash in Prince George’s County, according to Maryland State Police. Lytton was 24 and Hazel was 23.

The three were in the same vehicle just after 3 a.m. when it was struck by another vehicle that was speeding and changing lanes, police said.

The Vikings said in a statement that the team has spoken with Jackson’s family and is “devastated by the news.”

“I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree,” Adofo-Mensah said at the time. “As we got to know him during the pre-draft process, it became clear what goals Khyree wanted to achieve, both professionally and personally.

“His story was one of resilience. He took steps to become the best version of himself, not just for himself, but for those who cared about him and looked up to him.”

Jackson was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of the draft in April. He played two years at Alabama before finishing his college career with one season at Oregon.

Jackson was in contention for a starting cornerback position during the team’s training camp, which kicks off later this month in Eagan, Minnesota.

“I am absolutely devastated by this news,” O’Connell said earlier this month. “Khyree brought an infectious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and personable personality immediately attracted his teammates.”

Hazel played college football at Maryland and Charlotte, and Lytton played at Florida State and Penn State.

The three won a state championship together at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Maryland, where they were honored in a social media post.

Hazel was driving and Jackson and Lytton were passengers in a Dodge Charger. The Dodge Charger left the road after being hit and struck several tree stumps, police said.

Investigators believe the driver of a second vehicle traveling north attempted to change lanes “at a high rate of speed” when the vehicle collided with Hazel’s car and a third vehicle.

His high school teammates Anthony Lytton Jr. (L) and Isaiah Hazel (R) also died in the crash

No one was injured in the second and third vehicles.

Investigators say alcohol may have played a role in the accident and charges could be filed.

Jackson was selected to the All-Pac-12 first team by The Associated Press last season after finishing second in the conference with three interceptions. His college career began in 2019 at the junior college level.

“RIP Khyree… Love you,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning posted on social media. “Words fail me. I’ll miss your smile. Great player, better person.”

A memorial service at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Maryland for Jackson led to further tragedy when a deadly shooting occurred on July 13.

According to police, one man died and a woman was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting that occurred after the vigil ended.

Oregon’s Khyree Jackson #DB16 celebrates after a broad jump during the NFL Combine

Police are currently investigating what led up to the shooting. According to Fox 5 DC, shots were fired in the parking lot of the school.

One victim was shot in the leg, while the other was shot in the chest. According to the Baltimore Sun, a weapon was found at the scene, but no arrests have been made.

Police described the vigil scene as “peaceful” in a Facebook Live video. They reported that police left when most of the crowd dispersed, but returned after hearing gunfire.

“They were apprehended by civilians who were actually performing life-saving actions on an adult female victim,” said Capt. Sukhjit Batth, acting commander of the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit.

‘Officers located an additional adult male victim and, with the assistance of our citizens on scene, began performing life-saving measures.

“Both adult victims were transported to area hospitals. Unfortunately, our adult male victim was [dead] in the hospital.’