Former NFL player D.J. Hayden died early on Saturday morning in an automobile accident, according to ESPN. 33 was his age.
According to the Houston Police Department, the former cornerback was one of six individuals slain in Houston on Nov. 11 after a driver ran a red light at around two in the morning, colliding with another vehicle and hitting a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
Four persons, including the driver who ran the red light and the pedestrian, were pronounced dead at the site of the incident, according to the HPD.
Four people had been taken to a local hospital as of Saturday morning; two of them had died, one was critically ill, and one was stable and being questioned by police.
Zach McMillian and Ralph Oragwu, two of Hayden’s old colleagues at the University of Houston, perished in the collision, according to ESPN. Another former Houston Cougar, Jeffrey Lewis, also sustained an injury.
The Cougars athletic department paid tribute to the players on Saturday by writing, “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,” the statement read. “While their combined talents provided Houston Football some of its most unforgettable moments, their unique legacies will best be remembered for the way they loved their teammates, supported their communities and defied the odds.”
After experiencing a near-fatal heart injury following a collision in practice in 2012, Hayden was the Las Vegas (formerly Oakland) Raiders’ No. 1 draft pick in 2013. The team shared a post honoring Hayden on Saturday afternoon.
“The Raiders Family is mourning the tragic loss of former cornerback D.J. Hayden,” the Raiders’ statement read. “The Raiders’ first-round draft pick out of the University of Houston in 2013, D.J. overcame a heart injury sustained in a college practice to play nine years in the NFL, including his first four with the Silver and Black.”
The statement continued, “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.”
After his college career with the Cougars and stint with the Raiders, the Houston native also played for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders before retiring from the NFL after the 2021 season, per ESPN.
Throughout his nine-year, 92-game NFL career, he earned 328 tackles, 4 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles, according to the outlet.
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