The Minnesota Vikings have decided to pay out the remaining balance of Khyree Jackson’s $827,000 signing bonus to the late cornerback’s estate, following his tragic death in a car accident earlier this month at the age of 24.
The team’s head coach, Kevin O’Connell, and general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, made the announcement on Monday, revealing that the Vikings would also cover a significant portion of Jackson’s funeral expenses. Furthermore, the players will wear a Jackson sticker on their helmets in 2024 as a tribute to their fallen teammate.
O’Connell shared his emotional response to learning about the fatal car crash, calling it “the call all coaches fear more than anything.” He described the devastating news as “heartbreaking,” particularly considering the loss of two other young lives in the accident.
Jackson, along with his two former high school teammates, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton, Jr., lost their lives in the early morning car crash on July 6 in Maryland.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Khyree Jackson (pictured) was killed in the July 6 car crash
Hazel and Lytton, Jr. were pronounced dead at the scene, while Jackson was pronounced dead at the hospital. The accident involved three vehicles, with the car driven by Hazel being struck by another vehicle that was speeding and changing lanes, according to Maryland State Police.
The Vikings organization released a statement expressing their devastation at the news, with Adofo-Mensah describing Jackson as a young man with a story of resilience who was taking steps to become the best version of himself.
Jackson was a fourth-round draft pick by the Vikings in April, having played two years at Alabama before finishing his college career with one season at Oregon. He was in the running to earn a starting cornerback job at the team’s training camp, which opens later this month in Eagan, Minnesota.
O’Connell described Jackson as a young man who brought a contagious energy to the team, with a confidence and engaging personality that immediately drew his teammates to him.
Hazel played college football at Maryland and Charlotte, while Lytton played at Florida State and Penn State. The three won a state championship together at Maryland’s Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, which paid tribute to them in a social media post.
His high school teammates Anthony Lytton Jr. (L) and Isaiah Hazel (R) also died in the wreck
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with investigators suspecting that alcohol might have been a contributing factor. Charges could be filed in the case.
Jackson was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection by The Associated Press last season, having tied for second in the conference with three interceptions. His college career began in junior college in 2019.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning paid tribute to Jackson, describing him as a great player and an even better person.
A remembrance vigil was held at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Maryland for Jackson, but the event took a tragic turn when a deadly shooting broke out, leaving one man dead and a woman injured.
Khyree Jackson #DB16 of Oregon celebrates after a broad jump during the NFL Combine
The police are currently investigating the shooting, which occurred in the parking lot in front of the school. One victim was hit in the leg, while the other was hit in the chest. A gun was recovered at the scene, but no arrests have been made.
The police described the scene of the vigil as “peaceful” in a Facebook Live Video, saying that police left once most of the crowd had dispersed but returned after hearing gunshots.
Captain Sukhjit Batth, acting commander for the major crimes division of the Prince George’s County Police Department, described the scene, saying that officers were flagged down by citizens who were performing life-saving measures on the female victim.
Both adult victims were transported to area hospitals, but unfortunately, the male victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.
