D.J. Hayden, Former Jaguars Cornerback, Killed In Houston Crash

HOUSTON, TX — D.J. Hayden, a former NFL cornerback and first-round 2013 draft pick who played three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, died Saturday in a car crash in Houston, according to reports. He was 33.

Hayden was among six people killed when a car sped through a red light near downtown Houston, according to a Houston Chronicle report citing police. Authorities said Hayden was riding in an Acura SUV when it was struck near Fannin and Pierce streets around 2 a.m., the Chronicle reported.

One woman and five men died, including Hayden and the driver of Acura, the Chronicle reported. Another woman is in critical condition.

Police interviewed a male passenger from the SUV at the hospital. Investigators were working to identify the driver of the SUV, Houston Police Assistant Chief Megan Howard told The Associated Press.

Hayden was born in Houston and starred at the University of Houston, according to his profile page on ESPN.com. A first-round draft pick in 2013, Hayden played four years with the Raiders until he was signed by the Detroit Lions in 2017.

In 2018, Hayden signed a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and played with the team until he was signed by the Washington Football Team in 2021.

In 2012, Hayden survived and later recovered from a near-death tear to a major vein by his heart after he and a teammate collided during practice, requiring emergency surgery.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.