Gina Heslop
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Khyree Jackson, a promising NFL football player, who died in a tragic car accident on Saturday morning. Jackson was only 24 years old. He was recently picked up by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL draft.
The accident happened early Saturday morning when a speeding car collided with the vehicle Jackson was in. Jackson and his two friends were killed in the accident. The police confirmed that Jackson, who was a cornerback, and the driver, Hazel, who was Jackson’s high school teammate, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger and teammate, Anthony Lytton Jr., was taken to the hospital but later died as well.
Just hours before the accident, Jackson posted a series of pictures on Instagram. The post included photos from his life, such as moments at Vikings practice, him smiling on a beach with two parrots, posing with a lizard, and showing off his stylish clothes in front of a mirror. One of the images in the post compared “dreamers” and “doers,” illustrating that Jackson truly was a “doer.”
Jackson’s football journey started at Fort Scott Community College after graduating from Dr. Henry Wise Jr. High School. He then went on to play for the Oregon Ducks and the Alabama Crimson Tide. His best season was in 2023 with the Oregon Ducks, making him a standout cornerback. Jackson was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings expressed their deep sorrow over Jackson’s death in a statement, saying, “The news of Khyree Jackson’s death after an overnight car accident breaks our hearts.” They offered support to Jackson’s family and provided counseling for players, coaches, and staff who needed emotional support. The team described Jackson as having “contagious energy” that motivated other players.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell also shared his grief, stating, “Khyree’s energy spread through our building and team. His teammates liked him right away because he was sure of himself and had a great personality. While we were together, it was clear that Khyree was going to become a great professional football player. But what really impressed me was how much he wanted to be the best person he could be for his family and the people around him.”
The accident occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday when Jackson was riding in a Dodge Charger with two former teammates. A speeding Infiniti pulled out in front of them, causing the Charger to veer off the road and hit several tree stumps. The Infiniti also collided with a Chevrolet Impala, but the driver of the Impala and her passengers were not hurt, nor was the driver of the Infiniti.
The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been made yet. The tragic loss of Khyree Jackson has left a profound impact on his family, friends, teammates, and the football community. His vibrant energy, talent, and potential will be deeply missed.
