The football world received terrible news Saturday morning with reports that three former college players and high school teammates were killed in a car accident, including the NFL player. Khyree Jackson. The old one Oregon cornerback was selected in the fourth round by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was 24 years old.
The NFL family is deeply saddened and devastated by the passing of Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, loved ones and everyone involved in this tragic accident. pic.twitter.com/Qj2rc4YgNv
-NFL (@NFL) July 6, 2024
Old Maryland and player at UNC Charlotte Isaiah Hazel23, and formerPenn State player Anthony “AJ” Lytton, 24, also died in the accident. All three players were alumni of Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
The deaths were confirmed by Maryland State Police in statement.
The accident occurred in Prince George’s County. According to the police statement, Hazel was driving a maroon Dodge Charger, with Jackson in the front passenger seat and Lytton in the back seat, when investigators believe the vehicle was struck by another car while trying to change lanes at a high rate of speed. .
The car carrying the three players was forced off the road and struck several tree stumps, according to the report. A third car was also involved in the incident, but no one in the other two cars involved was injured. Authorities responded to the scene at 3:14 a.m. Saturday.
Investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor in the incident and charges are pending.
The three deceased were high school teammates, leading the team to several state championships. The school expressed condolences on the social networks.
Henry A. Wise Athletic Department sends condolences to the families and mourns the loss of Khyree Jackson (2016 State Champion c/o ’17) Anthony Lytton, Jr. ’18) and Isaiah Hazel (2015 State Champion, ’16, ’17 c/o ’17) 19). #OnceAPumaAlwaysAPuma pic.twitter.com/8SsQEgbR0G
– Wise Athletics (@WisePumaSports) July 6, 2024
Jackson originally went to Arizona Western College to play football, but quickly returned to Maryland. Ashamed of having given up, Jackson left football for two years and worked in a grocery store.
After two years away from the field, Fort Scott Community College in Kansas recruited him to play. From there, he played two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Oregon for the 2023 season. In 12 games for Duckshe compiled 34 tackles with three interceptions and two sacks.
RIP Khyree… love you @Real_Khyree At a loss for words. I will miss her smile. Great player, best person.
-Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) July 6, 2024
Oregon coach Dan Lanning also commented on the tragedy on social media, saying: “I will miss your smile. Great player, best person.”
Jackson impressed coaches and scouts in minicamp and OTAs with the Vikings with your performance in press coverage. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah praised the rookie for its resilience.
“I am absolutely devastated by this news. Khyree brought an infectious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately appealed to his teammates,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said. in a team statement.
“In our short time together, it was evident that Khyree would become a tremendous professional football player,” added O’Connell, “but what was most impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those . Around him.”
Maryland Football honorable Hazelwhile Penn State Football paid tribute to Lytton on the social networks.
