In tragic news, NFL player and 2020 first-round draft pick Jeff Gladney, has died after a fatal car accident on Monday. The full story inside.
The Memorial Day holiday turned into anything but a celebratory day for Jeff Gladney's friends, teammates and family. The 25-year-old NL cornerback died early Monday morning following a car accident in Dallas.
According to TMZ, new details released today reveal speeding was involved, and both a male (unnamed by police but believed to be Gladney) and female (also unnamed) were found dead inside a white car (unconfirmed reports say a Mercedes G Wagon) believed to be Gladney's. It's unclear how fast the car was traveling, but it apparently clipped a second car from behind, then struck a pier beam on the highway and flipped into a grassy area.
Two people also occupied the second vehicle but neither was seriously injured, according to reports.
"The Dallas County Sheriff's Dept. has released more info on the tragic accident ... saying two people -- a male and female -- were found dead in a white overturned vehicle around 2:30 AM.
Police are not identifying the victims by name, but the white car -- which is believed to be Gladney's -- was allegedly speeding when it clipped a second vehicle from behind at the time of the crash, according to preliminary info.
It's unclear how fast Gladney's vehicle was moving at the time of impact. The white vehicle struck a pier beam on the freeway and flipped into a grassy area. The other vehicle had two occupants who were not injured."
The Ft. Worth Star Telegram reports the crash happened around 2:30AM, in the westbound service lanes of Woodall Rogers Freeway at Allen Street, according to Raul Reyna, a spokesperson for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
More details are set to be released by police tomorrow (Tuesday).
The Texas native, who starred on the TCU football team, was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as the 32nd overall pick in 2020. He balled out in all 16 games in the 2020 season before being cut by the team in summer 2021. His dismissal came on the heels of him being arrested in Dallas and accused of violently assaulting his then 22-year-old girlfriend in April of 2021. The felony domestic violence case did go to trial, and he was found Not Guilty in March of 2022.
Gladney sat out the whole 2021 season as the case played out, and was getting his life back in order post-trial as a free agent. He had just signed with the Arizona Cardinals this past March.
The father of one, a son who just turned 1 in February, had also returned to Texas during this off season to close on a house for his mother. This was posted by the real estate company on Friday:
The Cardinals organization released this statement:
"We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney's passing," the Cardinals said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss."
New Cardinals teammateJ.J. Watt spoke on the tragedy, writing, "Horrifying news to hear this morning. Just tragic. Rest In Peace Jeff."
Gladney's former team, The Vikings, issued a statement as well:
"We are saddened by the tragic death of former Viking Jeff Gladney," the Vikings said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to his family and friends, as well as the Arizona Cardinals organization and Jeff's current and former teammates and coaches who are mourning his life lost much too soon."
Jeremiah Donati, the athletic director at TCU, also released a statement:
"Our TCU Athletics family, and especially our football program, was very devastated to learn of the passing of Jeff Gladney. After earning his degree and continuing his playing career in the NFL, Jeff maintained his close ties to TCU. He loved everything about his alma mater. He was a frequent visitor to campus and was at our spring practices and spring game this year, proudly joined by his young son. He will be missed by our entire community."
We send our condolences to to all of Jeff Gladney's loved ones, teammates in all walks of his career, family and friends during this heartbreaking time.
Photo: AP