The NFL world is mourning the loss of Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson, who was reportedly killed in a tragic accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Jackson’s mother confirmed the news to TMZ, telling the outlet that she received a call at 4 a.m. on Saturday that her son had died in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The Oregonian’s James Crepea reports that according to Jackson’s agent, the 24-year-old’s tragic death comes as the result of an automobile accident.
Jackson attended Dr. Henry Wise High School in Upper Marlboro before attending Fort Scott Community College. He then transferred to East Mississippi Community College for the 2020 season, which was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and proceeded to spend two years at Alabama before transferring to Oregon for the 2023 season.
Jackson amassed 34 tackles, seven pass defenses and three interceptions in 12 games with the Ducks en route to being named a first-team All-Pac 12 selection. The Vikings selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft (No. 108 overall) and he was expected to provide depth the Minnesota’s secondary during his rookie season.
Jackson’s Vikings teammate, defensive end Jonathan Greenard, took to social media on Saturday morning to mourn the rookie cornerback’s death.
Caitlin Clark hasn’t been the best player in the WNBA as a rookie this year. But she was voted to the WNBA All-Star Game as the top fan pick by a wide margin. Clark still has her detractors, but one former NFL star believes they’re misguided.
Taking to X on Wednesday, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III had a message for Clark’s “haters.” In a very lengthy message he declared that people who dislike Clark need to come to terms with the fact that she has been the “catalyst” for the WNBA’s incredible increase in popularity this season:
Caitlin Clark haters are punching air right now. The WNBA All-Star votes says what most of us already knew. Caitlin Clark is the WNBA’s Tiger Woods. More people watch the W because of her. Period. Total votes increased by 598% for the top 5 players from 2023 to 2024. The top 2 vote getters? Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston who are currently ranked 16th and 27th in points per game in the W and are currently the 9th best team in a 12 team league. Last year the top vote getter was A’Ja Wilson, who is still the best player in the World, with 95,860 votes. This year Angel Reese, who is breaking records left and right, came in 5th in the fan vote and received 381,518 votes. Yes, the WNBA is more popular than ever. Yes, it’s because of Caitlin Clark. Yes, Angel Reese, A’Ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Kahleah Copper, Diana Taurasi, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd and a host of other W players have a hand in it. Yes, every player, organization and TV network is benefiting from the impact. It’s okay to admit that there are better players in the WNBA right now than Caitlin Clark, but she is the most coveted. It’s okay to admit that no team is more watched or has broken more TV viewership and arena attendance records than the Indiana Fever and it’s because of Caitlin Clark. It’s cool to see all of these Women get the fandom they have deserved for a long time. They have put in the work and laid the foundation for a moment like this to happen. It’s okay to admit that Caitlin Clark was the catalyst the WNBA needed. If it wasn’t because of Caitlin Clark, it would have happened earlier. Now, let’s enjoy the product on the court and enjoy the eye balls Caitlin Clark has brought to the sport. The bottom line is it will take ALL these talented women to carry the game forward.
Fans have been applauding the former Heisman Trophy and Pro Bowl quarterback for his take, agreeing that he hit the nail on the head:
“Great take and I detect zero lies or favoritism . That’s refreshing!” one user replied.
“This was well said. I can get on board with this,” wrote another.
“There are better players than Caitlin Clark, but yes, she is the reason there’s so much voting right now,” a third wrote.
Do you agree with RGIII’s take?
: Minnesota Vikings Player Khyree Jackson Dies in Car Crash at 24 (E! News)