D.J. Hayden was among the six people who died in a car accident in Houston, early Saturday morning, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Hayden was 33. The Houston Chronicle was the first to report the news of Hayden’s passing.
He was born in Houston, Texas, and played football for the University of Houston. Police said that his former Cougar Zach McMillian was also killed in the accident.
Hayden captured the attention of the sports world more than a decade ago when he survived a near-fatal injury to his heart during a full-pads practice at the University of Houston. He later became a first-round NFL Draft pick when the Raiders selected him at No. 12 overall in 2013.
Houston Police Department spokesperson Assistant. Chief Megan Howard stated that they received an emergency call at 2 am about a traffic incident. The fatal accident involved two cars. The cars were identified as being a Chrysler 300 SUV and an Acura.
The police determined that it was the driver of a Chrysler 300 who was responsible since the vehicle had driven through a red traffic light at “high speed.” Four people were declared dead on the spot, and four more were transported to a hospital nearby. Two of those who were taken to hospital died later, according to authorities.
Houston Police Department spokesperson Assistant. Chief Megan Howard stated that they received an emergency call at 2 am about a traffic incident. The fatal accident involved two cars. The cars were identified as being a Chrysler 300 SUV and an Acura.
The police determined that it was the driver of the Chrysler 300 who was responsible since the vehicle had driven through the red light at “high speed.” Four people were declared dead on the spot, and four more were transported to a hospital nearby. Two of those who were taken to hospital died later, according to authorities.
McMillan was a Cougar from 2010 to 2013.
Hayden’s nine-year NFL playing career saw him play for the Raiders as well as the Lions and Jaguars. In 2021, he also served on Washington’s training squad. He ended his career with four interceptions and 4.5 sacks.
