The football world is mourning the loss of former cornerback D.J. Hayden, who tragically passed away in a car accident in Houston. The Raiders, his former team, announced the devastating news on Saturday.
Hayden, who was only 33 years old, was born in Houston and played college football at the University of Houston.
D.J. Hayden captured the attention of the sports world over a decade ago when he survived a near-fatal injury to his heart during a full-pads practice at the University of Houston. Despite this setback, he went on to become a first-round NFL Draft pick when the Raiders selected him No. 12 overall in 2013.
The Raiders organization expressed their grief in a heartfelt statement, saying, “The Raiders Family is mourning the tragic loss of former cornerback D.J. Hayden. D.J.’s courage, perseverance, and dedication to his teammates will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew him.
The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with D.J.’s loved ones at this time.”
The car accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, as confirmed by the Houston Police Department. Two cars were involved in the fatal crash, a Chrysler 300 and an Acura SUV.
The driver of the Chrysler 300 was determined to be at fault, having run a red light at a high velocity. The crash claimed the lives of six people, including Hayden and his former college teammate Zach McMillian.
Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while four others were taken to the hospital. Tragically, two of those transported to the hospital later succumbed to their injuries. The identities of the victims were released by the police, with five males and one female among them. One of the deceased individuals was identified as being homeless.
The University of Houston, where Hayden and McMillian played college football, also expressed their condolences. They confirmed that former offensive lineman Ralph Oragwu, who played from 2009 to 2013, was also a victim of the crash.
The university released a statement saying, “The entire University of Houston community is heartbroken over the tragic passing of former Football student-athletes D.J. Hayden, Zachary McMillian, and Ralph Oragwu earlier today, and our thoughts and prayers remain with Jeffery Lewis in his recovery ahead.
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.”
An investigation into the accident is currently underway, and further details have not yet been released.
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