Sports
Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings performs a ritual of honor for a rookie who died in a car accident
In July, NFL rookie Khyree Jackson, who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 draft, was named killed in a car accident in Maryland, where he grew up.
He never played a game, but his impact was felt throughout the season.
According to after Jackson’s death, the Vikings announced that the rookie’s locker is not going to be occupied during the season and they’re going to not use his jersey number, 31, to pay tribute to him. In an interview with NBC after the Vikings’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3, teammate Aaron Jones mentioned how he honors Jackson.
“I often put flowers in Kyrie Jackson’s locker, so I walk by and have a look at them. I’m alone there and I only spent a moment with him. I told him tonight was for him.
He also mentioned that he saw Jackson’s parents at the game and told them that he gives flowers every week.
BEAUTIFUL: #Vikings RB Aaron Jones puts flowers in Khyree Jackson’s locker before every game.
“I put flowers in Khyree Jackson’s locker. I spent a moment with him and told him that tonight was for him.”
Khyree’s parents were present, beautiful🥹
(via NBC)
pic.twitter.com/x6Hd224SnY— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 4, 2024
Jackson, 24, never had the opportunity to play in an NFL regular season game after being chosen 108th overall by the Vikingsvol overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
reported that the NFL team paid Jackson’s estate the remainder of his $827,000 rookie signing bonus and contributed $20,000 to cover his funeral expenses.
Throughout the season, Vikings players wore helmet stickers with the initials “KJ” and staff members wore founded According to media reports, The Media also reported that special stencils have been added to the Vikings’ practice fields in Jackson’s honor.