“He Is Resting and No Longer in Pain”: 17 Years After Losing NFL Career to Neck Fracture, Former DT Passes Away at 45 Leaving Behind a Beautiful Legacy, Pens Down An Emotional Wife

The NFL fraternity is reeling with tragedies! Sadly, a lot of ex-NFL players have passed away in recent times, and fans, teammates, and even their family members have gone on to mourn and remember the departed. And now, Big Red breathed his last recently owing to a disease that he had been fighting against for the past few years. However, long before all this, do you know that a brutal injury ended the DT’s career in the NFL?

The passing of a prominent ex-NFL defensive tackle and former Houston Texans, Cedric Killings, was informed to fans by his wife. With such a tragic end, the defensive tackle’s brave return from his crucible in 2007 is something to be remembered.

The passing of the former NFL defensive tackle

Cedric Killings was just a mere 45 years of age. The ex-NFL player was battling pancreatic cancer for a while now. Killings was beloved by his friends and he was considered a gentle giant with a sweet heart of gold. He leaves behind his wife, Shavon Killings as well as three of their children. As she loses her husband, Shavon Killings remembered the beautiful memory of her beloved and took to Facebook to put out a heart-touching ode to him.

Per News 19, she said, “My love, my best friend, my husband of 21 years is no longer physically with me but he lives in my heart and in the hearts of our three children. I’m comforted in knowing he is resting and no longer in pain, but I’m still at a loss and can’t believe this is real. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting him then you already know how special he is. Just an all-around great person. I don’t just say this as his wife, it’s echoed by family, friends, and former teammates. It has been an honor to share life with him and to love and be loved by him. So grateful for it all. Love you for life. Our love will live strong for generations to come.”

In terms of football, Killings had a very prolific career. The tackle played for the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers as well as the Washington Redskins. However, his NFL journey had been cut short when the tackle faced the challenge of a career-ending injury in a game.

The tough crucible of Cedric Killings

Pancreatic cancer is not the only tough fate Killings was dealt. In 2007, the tackle faced a horrifying injury on the field. His injury was so horrible that the tackle ended up retiring from the game. While he was playing a game for the Houston Texans, Killings left the game on a stretcher. He was defending against a receiver from an Indianapolis receiver Roy Hall.

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The collision between the two went on to break the C-4 vertebrae and Killings had to be carried off the field. The tackle initially did not have any feeling in his lower body when he was rushed to the hospital. However, his agony after the fracture was short-lived as he was able to stand on his feet the next morning. Unfortunately, this injury ended his career.

Killings recovered well from his injury. Unfortunately, the tackle succumbed to cancer after his long-fought battle. However, while he has passed away, his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of his loved ones.

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