A rising NFL star lost his life in a tragic car accident early Saturday morning, just hours after sharing a heartfelt post on social media.
According to police reports, a speeding car crashed into the vehicle carrying the 24-year-old football player and two of his friends. The player, who had recently been drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, was pronounced dead at the scene, along with the driver, who was a high school teammate. Another passenger, also a teammate, was rushed to the hospital but sadly didn’t survive.
Just a day before the accident, the player posted ten photos on Instagram, showing moments from his life, including his time at Vikings practice. The post, simply captioned “Mmmhmmm,” showed him smiling on a beach with two parrots, flexing with a lizard, and posing in stylish outfits in front of a mirror.
One of the photos showed a powerful comparison between “dreamers” and “doers.” It had a group labeled as “dreamers” watching a man, labeled as a “doer,” surfing a massive wave. This player truly embodied the spirit of a “doer.”
His journey to the NFL was inspiring. After high school, he started at Fort Scott Community College and then worked his way up to play for the Oregon Ducks and the Alabama Crimson Tide. He became the top cornerback for the Ducks in the 2023 season, which led to his selection in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
The Minnesota Vikings expressed their deep sorrow over the tragic news. In a statement, the team offered their support to the player’s family and provided counseling services for everyone affected by the tragedy.
“He quickly became a beloved part of the team with his confidence and vibrant personality,” said Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. He also noted how committed the player was to becoming the best version of himself, not just for his family, but for everyone around him.
The accident happened around 3 a.m. as the player and his two friends were traveling in a Dodge Charger. A speeding Infiniti reportedly pulled out in front of them, causing the Charger to swerve off the road and crash into several tree stumps. The Infiniti also hit a Chevrolet Impala, but thankfully, the people in both the Impala and Infiniti were unharmed.
The investigation is still ongoing, and no charges have been filed yet.
