“I just told them I was the best corner in the draft. And I thought they were probably going to be getting me for cheaper because of some of the politics that go into it.” Khyree Jackson said that to the Vikings coaches at the Senior Bowl. And he left quite an impression on them. The Vikings picked Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, 108th overall. After that, August was supposed to be his moment – his NFL debut, the beginning of something big. But everything changed in just a few seconds on July 6, 2024. Just a month before his rookie season could start, a tragic traffic collision in Maryland took Khyree’s life.

Khyree’s passing left a void that won’t ever be filled. And in the months that followed, the people who knew him, his parents, his teammates, and the Vikings, never let his name fade. Minnesota made sure Khyree was part of the team every step of the way. They kept a locker for him all season. And every Vikings player wore a ’31’ decal on their uniform, the number Khyree would’ve worn. The Vikings kept Khyree close in what could’ve been his debut season through that gesture, just one of many ways they honored him. But honoring him with decals and an empty locker wasn’t enough. In a move that spoke volumes, HC Kevin O’Connell announced the team would donate $10K to the Khyree Jackson Foundation, a non-profit started by his parents in his honor.

“The pins, the stickers on the helmets that was really for everyone else, to make sure they knew how much was being felt in this building,” Kevin O’Connell told Khyree’s parents. “Our connection to you guys as a family. And your willingness to let us grieve alongside you during such a difficult time, meant the world.“

On Thursday, Khyree’s parents, driven by their beloved son’s spirit, announced the launch of the Khyree Jackson Foundation.

Khyree Jackson’s parents honor his spirit

“God didn’t give me all these skills to go to waste.” That was the motto Khyree lived by. On Thursday, the Vikings invited Khyree’s parents, Ebony and Raymond, to collect their son’s belongings. Following this, they officially announced the launch of the Khyree Jackson Foundation, dedicated to honoring his memory. The foundation’s mission is to inspire the next generation to follow Khyree’s example by using their talents for good. “It’s about making a difference and encouraging young people to embrace their journey, rise above challenges, and make an impact in this world, just as Khyree did,” said Khyree’s mother, Ebony.

The foundation will focus on offering opportunities to young athletes and students from underserved communities. It will organize football camps, provide scholarships, and create programs like Khyree’s Locker of Hope. Ebony and Raymond also plan to reach out to communities across the country to help as many people as possible.

“Khyree Jackson embodied a remarkable blend of humility and unwavering confidence. While a professional football career was always a dream, he approached every stage of his journey with enthusiasm, even while working in a local grocery store,” reads the Khyree Jackson Foundation website.

Well, there’s no better way for Ebony and Raymond to honor their son, lovingly called Reeski, than by turning his legacy into something that will help others.