Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson has died in a car crash at age 24, the team confirmed Saturday.
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Khyree Jackson following an automobile accident last night,” the Vikings said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, and all the victims of this tragic accident.”
Maryland State Police told TMZ that Jackson was killed along with two others, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton, when their Dodge Charger was involved in a collision in the early hours of Saturday morning. The crash occurred near Jackson’s hometown of Upper Marlboro. Police told TMZ that a car pulled over Jackson’s Charger, which then struck another car before going off the road and crashing into a group of trees.
Jackson played college football for Fort Scott, Alabama and Oregon before being selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Jackson was named First Team All Pac-12 in his final season with the Ducks. He played in the 2021 National Championship game during his time at Alabama.
He took a long route to the NFL when the pandemic disrupted the schedule, briefly dropping out of college to work at a grocery store. He was also a good enough video game player that he considered making it his career. “For a while, football was a little blurry, I would say,” Jackson said. told the Associated Press in April.
Jackson was a popular member of the Vikings during his short time with the team, where he was known for his infectious enthusiasm.
“His confidence and personable personality immediately attracted his teammates,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Saturday. “In our short time together, it was clear that Khyree would develop into a great professional soccer player, but what was most impressive was his desire to be the best person he could be for his family and those around him.”