A viral clip of Khyree Jackson discussing his rise from a grocery store to the NFL has resurfaced following the Minnesota Viking rookie’s tragic death at 24.
Jackson, 24, was killed along with former high school teammates Anthony Lytton Jr., 24, and Isaiah Hazel, 23, in a three-car accident in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, this weekend.
His mother, Ebbony Jackson, confirmed the news to TMZ on Saturday, saying she received a call about his death in the early hours that morning.
The cornerback’s death comes just three months after he was selected by Minnesota with the 108th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, following his collegiate career for both the Oregon Ducks and Alabama Crimson Tide.
And following the fatal car accident on Saturday morning, fans have paid tribute to Jackson after a video of the tragic NFL star describing his journey from being employee of the month in a grocery store to the Vikings re-emerged online.
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‘At one point I really wasn’t thinking about football much,’ Jackson said about his days working in the grocery store. ‘I had just won employee of the month at a grocery store so I really wasn’t thinking much about it honestly.
‘I was just like hey… I told my mom at one point in time, I’m like, I guess I’m about to be working at a grocery store, and I play [NBA] 2K a lot. So I was trying out to make it to the NBA 2K league.
‘But yeah, for a bit of a second football had got a little foggy I would definitely say.’
He then added: ‘I was working in the deli department, so yeah… I was like cutting ham and stuff.’
Fans were heartbroken after watching the clip back in the wake of Jackson’s death, taking to social media to mourn the Vikings rookie’s loss.
‘Worked his a** off to make it to the NFL and never even got a chance life isn’t fair, RIP Khyree Jackson,’ said one user.
Another put: ‘Omg this is heartbreaking’.
‘Smh life is unfair sometimes, seemed like a good a** kid with a positive attitude. Prayers and condolences for the families involved,’ said a third.
While one simply posted: ‘Life is not fair!’
Jackson began his college career at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College, followed by stints at East Mississippi CC and Alabama, before finishing at Oregon last season and declaring for the draft.
He enjoyed the best season of his career in 2023 for the Ducks, making 34 tackles, including two sacks, seven pass breakups and three interceptions as Oregon’s top cornerback.
His selection in the draft completed somewhat of a redemption for Jackson. He turned his life around following a minor arrest in junior college – that was later dropped – according to Oregon Live.