The National Football League (NFL) is grieving following the death of one of the iconic stars that left a mark in the sport D.J. Hayden. A first-round pick in the NFL 2013 draft, former NFL Cornerback Hayden had a successful career in the sport and represented several outfits. His stint in the league lasted for eight seasons before he opted for retirement.
What happened to former NFL star Hayden
Former NFL Cornerback D.J. Hayden
The industrious former NFL Cornerback is no more after he died in a grisly road accident in Houston on November 12. The horrific accident claimed the lives of five other people. The Houston Chronicle reports that the accident occurred after a car crashed into an SUV.
The car had reportedly run a red light before crashing into the SUV. Unfortunately, a homeless man who had also been sitting next to the crash site also perished after he was struck by one of the vehicles. Police reports indicate that four people died on the spot. The driver of the speeding car also perished.
Houston Police Assistant Chief Megan Howard confirmed the accident, adding that a female passenger was also rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The incident happened around 2 a.m. involving a speeding Chrysler 300 and an SUV. Reports indicate that the victims of the crash sustained significant injuries while others were declared dead on the spot.
How the NFL reacted to Hayden’s death
Former NFL Cornerback D.J. Hayden in a past match
News of Hayden’s death sent shockwaves to the sports fraternity. Several players and teams sent messages of condolences to mourn one of the players who thrilled the game as a cornerback. In a statement, the Raiders described his demise as devastating. “D.J.’s courage, perseverance, and dedication to his teammates will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew him”. READ ALSO: Matthew Perry, ‘Friends’ star, dead at 54
The University of Houston, where Hayden began his career in college football said he touched many lives on and off the pitch. The death is more devastating for the institution that also lost two other players in the crash. Former Football student-athletes Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu also died alongside Hayden. “We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones, as we collectively mourn the loss of three individuals who made an indelible impact on each life they touched,” read their statement in part. Fans also took to social media to mourn the loss of the former player.
DJ. Hayden’s NFL career in numbers
D.J. Hayden during a past match before he retired in 2021
Before he played his final game in 2021, Hayden had built a successful nine-year career in the NFL and was one of the most prolific Cornerbacks in the sport. The former NFL Cornerback played a total of 92 games with an impressive record of 46 breakups and 328 combined tackles.
In his career, he wore the colors of the Oakland Raiders who picked him in the 2013 NFL draft. In 2017, Hayden represented the Detroit Lions before shifting camps to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But it was not a walk in the park for the cornerback. During his draft, he had been suffering from a heart condition that had threatened to block his career from blossoming. In his entire career, he had to overcome several injuries while representing NFL outfits.