The Minnesota Vikings will honor the late cornerback Khyree Jackson by paying out the remainder of his $827,000 signing bonus to his estate after the 24-year-old NFL rookie was killed in a car crash earlier this month.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah announced on Monday that the team would also cover a significant portion of his funeral expenses, and players will wear a Jackson sticker on their helmets throughout the 2024 season. O’Connell shared with reporters the emotional impact of learning about the fatal car crash, as reported by Daily Mail.
“It’s the call all coaches fear more than anything,” he said. “To get that phone call and know that not only Khyree, but two other tragic lives were lost. All young adults gone way too early. It leaves you heartbroken.”
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Jackson and two of his former high school teammates died in an early morning car crash on July 6 in Maryland. Jackson and Isaiah Hazel died at the scene, while Anthony Lytton Jr. was pronounced dead at a hospital following the three-car collision in Prince George’s County, according to Maryland State Police.
Lytton was 24 and Hazel was 23. The crash occurred just after 3 a.m. when their vehicle was struck by another speeding and lane-changing car, police reported.
Vikings released a statement expressing their devastation after speaking with Jackson’s family.
“I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree,” Adofo-Mensah said at the time. “As we got to know him throughout the pre-draft process, it was clear the goals Khyree wanted to accomplish both professionally and personally.
“His story was one of resilience. He was taking steps to become the best version of himself not just for him, but for those who cared about and looked up to him.”
Jackson, a fourth-round draft pick in April, played two years at Alabama before concluding his college career with a season at Oregon. He was in contention for a starting cornerback position at the team’s training camp, set to open later this month in Eagan, Minnesota.
“I am absolutely crushed by this news,” O´Connell said earlier this month. “Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him.”
Hazel and Lytton Jr. played college football at Maryland and Charlotte, and Florida State and Penn State respectively. The three athletes, who won a state championship together at Maryland’s Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, were honored by the school in a social media tribute.
Hazel was driving the Dodge Charger with Jackson and Lytton as passengers when it was struck by a speeding vehicle attempting to change lanes, causing it to veer off the road and hit multiple tree stumps.
No one in the second or third vehicles was injured in the crash. Investigators suspect alcohol may have played a role, and charges could be forthcoming.
Jackson, a standout player, was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection last season with three interceptions, tying for second in the conference. His college career began in junior college in 2019.
“RIP Khyree… Love you,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning posted on social media. “At a loss for words. I will miss your smile. Great player, better person.”
