A stellar resume with a promising outlook is a must for players who wish to cement their legacy in the NFL though it’s also a matter of time as after leaving the football career, not all names are remembered by the NFL community. Nevertheless, apart from their accolades, sometimes former players garnered the attention of the football fans being a victim of unfortunate events. That is how former Las Vegas Raiders star player D.J. Hayden stole the headlines of today’s.
While his name already vanished from the NFL fans’ minds, a lamentable accident erased his name from the world.
D.J. Hayden dies in tragic car collision
The news was off early Saturday morning when a driver in Houston ran a red light and collided with another automobile early. Five men and one woman in the car breathed their last, including D.J. Hayden.
The driver of the Chrysler and a man who looked to be homeless were two of the four persons who were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Chief Megan Howard discussed the deaths of two additional people during a news briefing on Saturday morning after they were brought to a nearby hospital. Ralph Oragwu and Zach McMillian, Hayden’s former colleagues at the University of Houston, also perished in the collision.
The tragic incident led the school’s athletics department to convey their tribulation over the monumental loss.
“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.”
The loss is not coverable as it snatched the life of such bright stars who are not built one day. The team also remembered the footprints they left for their successors and ended up conveying grief for their families.
“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.”
D.J. Hayden made news previously in 2012 after running into a teammate during practice and breaking his heart almost fatally. Although he had a chance to survive at that point, the deadly tragedy prevented him from doing so this time.
Which four NFL teams did Hayden play for?
After wrapping up an astronomical college career as a defensive back at Houston in 2011 and 2012, A. J. Hayden’s NFL stint started with the Oakland Raiders, now known as the Las Vegas Raiders. As a Raiders, he was selected as the No. 12 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft.
The 33-year-old spent three seasons with the Raiders. The Raiders team shared their condolences soon after hearing their former player’s unfortunate ending.
“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.”
Prior to calling his career off, the former defensive lineman had a brief tenure with the Detroit Lions (2017), Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-20) and Washington Commanders (2021).
His nine-season career in the NFL saw him racking up 328 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles in 92 games in his 41 starts.
D.J. Hayden’s soul departed his body, yet with his immense contribution to football, he will always be at the center of the football community.
