Getty Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon of the Minnesota Vikings died in a car crash on July 6, 2024.
Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson’s death in a car crash overnight on Saturday, July 6, has sent shockwaves through the NFL community, including some raw feelings from his teammate Mekhi Blackmon.
In a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Blackmon called out Oregon Ducks beat reporter James Crepea, who covered Jackson in college, for noting Jackson was arrested in junior college as part of his improbable journey to the NFL after nearly quitting football.
“Khyree Jackson turned his life around. He had a minor arrest in junior college that was later dropped, worked at a grocery store while gaming, got back into football and made the most of his last opportunity in college to be the top CB in the Pac-12 and made the NFL. Awful news,” Crepea wrote in a since-deleted post.
Blackmon replied: “What thee [expletive] does him being arrested have to do with anything? Like what the [expletive] were you trying to accomplish?”
Selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft in late April, Jackson was poised to compete for a starting spot after shining throughout spring workouts.
The Vikings released a statement on Saturday morning:
We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident. While we work to gather more information, we have spoken to Khyree’s family and offered the support of the Minnesota Vikings. We have also communicated the news to Vikings players, coaches and staff and have offered counseling for those who need emotional support. Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.
Vikings Rookie Khyree Jackson Realized NFL Dreams After Almost Quitting Football
Image courtesy of the Minnesota VikingsVikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson died in a car crash on July 6, 2024.
Jackson’s legacy is marked by him beating the odds after a rocky start coming out of high school.
The talent was there for Jackson, who won two state championships as a wide receiver. He enrolled at Arizona Western Community College due to academic reasons and dropped out after a few weeks. Back home in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Jackson admitted he was embarrassed about his dropout and laid low “for about six months,” the Associated Press’ Dave Campbell wrote in April.
“He got a … job in the deli at a Harris Teeter supermarket, slicing ham for a living and even winning an employee of the month award,” Campbell wrote.
Jackson put a lot of his time into the NBA 2K video game hoping to become a professional gamer, wrote Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller.
“He tried to avoid his hometown friends because he wanted them to believe he was still in college,” Coller wrote.
“It was kind of eating away at me,” Jackson told Coller.
He eventually told two friends, a moment he told Coller helped him realize he should “give football another try.”
He enrolled at Fort Scott Community College, Coller wrote, and earned a spot at Alabama in 2021. After playing little and ending his time in Alabama with a suspension, according to Coller, he went on to play with Oregon.
Jackson connected at the Senior Bowl with the Vikings, who were impressed by his winding path to the NFL and took him 108th overall.
“He called his parents and raced back home. You can imagine that he was thinking about how far he’s come since winning employee of the month,” Coller wrote.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world though,” Jackson told Coller. “I feel like it taught me a lot of perseverance. It helped turn me into the man that I am today. I feel like I don’t take no shortcuts.”
Vikings Coach Kevin O’Connell on Khyree Jackson: ‘I Am Absolutely Crushed’
GettyHead coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings.
Shortly after word of Jackson’s death made headlines, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell issued a statement.
“I am absolutely crushed by this news,” O’Connell’s statement read. “Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and to our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him.
“In our short time together, it was evident Khyree was going to develop into a tremendous football player, but what was more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him.”
According to a press release from the Maryland State Police, three vehicles and seven people were involved in the crash, and all three occupants of the vehicle in which Jackson was riding were killed.
The Dodge Charger in which Jackson was traveling was struck by another vehicle attempting to pass “at a high rate of speed,” according to the press release.
“The Charger subsequently traveled off of the right side of the roadway and struck multiple tree stumps where the vehicle came to rest,” the press release states. “Investigators believe alcohol may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash.”