On July 6, a budding NFL star left the world in mournful chaos. At 24, Khyree Jackson was on the cusp of living his dream; playing football. However, that dream was wrenched away with cruel brutality when a car crash took the life of the Minnesota Vikings’ 4th-round pick. The devastated mother, Ebbony Jackson, confirmed the untimely demise of her son. Khyree Jackson left behind friends, family, and fans, who expressed their sorrow at the inexplicable loss. Upon reading the jarring details of the accident, Damien Woody was enraged at the unfair fate the young cornerback suffered.

Reacting to Jackson’s passing, the Super Bowl champion wrote on X, “Just sick reading that report. Absolutely no sympathy for ppl getting behind the wheel intoxicated! Prayers to the three young men and their families/friends who are going through this tragedy”. Kevin Seifert, a Minnesota Vikings reporter for ESPN, shared the report containing details of the car accident on X. Damien Woody, who won two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, was shocked after the report speculated alcohol to be a factor in the accident. The report read, “Investigators believe alcohol may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash.”

At the time of the collision, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. were in a maroon Dodge Charger, along with Khyree Jackson. At 3:14 a.m. Saturday in Prince George’s County, their Charger was hit by a silver Infiniti, which caused the car to spin out of control. Hazel and Jackson were pronounced dead on the scene. Lytton was taken to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center and pronounced dead by the medical staff at the hospital. Minnesota Vikings, Alabama Football, and the NFL all expressed their devastation at losing a young player teeming with talent and potential.

RGIII, the ex-Commanders QB, paid tribute to all three deceased, and wrote on X, “Gone way too soon. Heartbreaking.” Aggrieved at losing the young Viking full of promise, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell paid his respect, saying, “Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team.” Commending on the former Oregon cornerback’s “desire to become the best person”, O’Connell revealed he was “at a loss for words”. Angel Reese, while re-tweeting a post commemorating Jackson’s passing, also reacted to the sorrowful news. Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez also paid homage to the fallen Khyree, writing on his Instagram stories, “You did exactly what you told me you was gon do. Get your rest”. The hardships Khyree Jackson defeated to realize his NFL dreams make his death all the more painful.

Khyree Jackson: A comeback story that ended as a dream

The 24-year-old cornerback’s journey to becoming a Minnesota Viking was not free of its unique challenges. On a hiatus from football in 2017-2018, Jackson was Employee of the Month at a grocery store, not knowing when he would return. In his introductory press conference with the Vikings, he revealed he was trying to become a part of an NBA 2K league at that time, with his future “foggy”. Fort Scott Community College re-ignited the football spark, and he was back on track. Khyree Jackson then went to play with Alabama and Oregon.

The cornerback won the All-Pac-12 accolade and got invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Fast forward to the 2024 Draft, and Khyree Jackson took a step closer to playing in the NFL. The Vikings picked him in the 4th round as the 108 overall pick. Unfortunately, he never got to step out on the field. His dream, the one he worked so hard for, was crushed. The investigation into the car crash is underway, but a bright light was extinguished, one the world will never witness again.