D.J. Hayden, Former NFL Star, Dead At 33

Marc Griffin
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D.J. Hayden, a former first-round NFL draft pick, has died at age 33.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the athlete was one of six people killed on Saturday morning (Nov. 11) after a car ran a red light and struck another vehicle in Houston. Law enforcement alleges that a Black SUV was headed south during a green light. At the same time, a Black Chrysler 300 was traveling at “a high rate of speed” and ran a red light, striking the SUV.

Along with Hayden, his former University of Houston teammates Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu also perished in the accident. Houston police officers were called to the scene around 2 AM and reported that four people were pronounced dead at the scene. One woman with “life-threatening injuries” involved in the accident was taken to a nearby hospital, a press release detailed.

“The impact caused multiple persons in the vehicles to be ejected. The Chrysler left the roadway onto a sidewalk and struck a pedestrian, believed to be a homeless male,” the press release reads. “The at-fault driver of the Chrysler was pronounced deceased at the scene. It is believed three persons in the Acura were ejected. Two of them died at the scene. The male pedestrian was also pronounced deceased. Four other persons were transported to area hospitals. Two of them were later pronounced deceased, one person remains unconscious, and the other is in stable condition and is talking.”

A friend of the homeless man struck by one of the vehicles told ABC Houston KTRK that the crash was “nerve-wrecking.”

“Literally, it sounded like two trains crashing together. I can still hear the sound in my head. It’s nerve-wracking,” the man recalled. “I was right next to him. I just had something in my gut telling me to get up, and I got up. But it could have been me.”

The Las Vegas Raiders and the University of Houston both released statements regarding his death. The Raiders empathetically stated that D.J. will be “fondly remembered” for his strength and determination. His alma mater sent their thoughts and prayers to Hayden and his former teammates, who were also involved in the accident.

According to ESPN, Hayden’s time in the NFL was spent on rosters for the Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, the Washington Commanders, and the Detroit Lions. His stats included 328 tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 fumbles, and 4.5 sacks across 92 NFL games.

VIBE sends our condolences to D.J. Hayden and all those impacted by the crash.

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