Arizona Cardinals CB Jeff Gladney was killed in a car accident in a car accident on Memorial Day, May 30. According to ESPN, the crash took place around 2 A.M. and a white vehicle was overturned when officers arrived. When the Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived they confirmed two people were dead, a male and a female. The following day, the medical examiner confirmed it was, in fact, Jeff Gladney (25) and Andrea Mercedes Palacios (26) had died.
This offseason has been tough for the NFL as a whole. Not only has Gladney been killed at the hands of a vehicle, earlier this year, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins was also taken away from us at the hands of a vehicle. However, the Dallas County Sheriff Department reported that the crash involved two vehicles. The white vehicle (Gladney’s) speeding was clipped by the vehicle in front of it, which caused it to lose control. Later, as the car spiraled, it hit a beam on Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas. The vehicle in front; however, had no damage from the accident.
“We are asking prayers for the family and privacy at this most difficult time,” agent Brian Overstreet said in a statement to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and all who are mourning this tremendous loss,” the Cardinals said in a statement.
“We are saddened by the tragic death of former Viking Jeff Gladney,” the Vikings said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends, as well as the Arizona Cardinals organization. Jeff’s current and former teammates and coaches who are mourning his life lost much too soon.”
Jeff Gladney’s Journey in the NFL
Initially, he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Sadly, the Vikings released CB Jeff Gladney after his assault indictment. Later he was found not guilty for the claims. Shortly after, the Arizona Cardinals signed him in March because they believed he can add depth to their DBs.
One of his closest friends in college, Jalen Reagor, who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles was deeply saddened by the news. They were former teammates at TCU and he recently tweeted:
“Lost my brother, my best friend, my right-hand man… ain’t too much more I can take man damn! R.I.P Jeff Gladney, brother watch over me please.”
Lost my Brother, my best friend, my right hand man… ain’t too much more I can take man damn!
R.I.P Jeff Gladney, brother watch over me please.
— Reag (@jalenreagor) May 30, 2022
“Our TCU Athletics family, and especially our football program, was very devastated to learn of the passing of Jeff Gladney,” Horned Frogs athletic director Jeremiah Donati said in a statement. “After earning his degree and continuing his playing career in the NFL, Jeff maintained his close ties to TCU. [Gladney] loved everything about his alma mater. He was a frequent visitor to campus and was at our spring practices and spring game this year, proudly joined by his young son. He will be missed by our entire community. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences go to Jeff’s family, friends, and TCU teammates.”
Hopefully people remember Jeff Gladney for the mark he made on the game of football.
