Report: Jeff Gladney’s girlfriend also died in car crash

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department told TMZ Sports that 26-year old Mercedes Andrea Palacios, the girlfriend of NFL player Jeff Gladney, died in a car wreck reported early Monday morning. Reports of Gladney’s death first circulated on Monday afternoon and had been connected to an early morning incident where police reported the death of one male and one female.

Preliminary police reports acquired by TMZ show that one car was speeding when it clipped another in the Dallas area. It remains unclear how fast the vehicle was moving at contact, but it then struck two pier beams and flipped off the road.

The second vehicle also had two passengers who did not suffer any serious injury.

Additional details on the car crash which killed Jeff Gladney and his girlfriend remain unavailable as police investigate the details.

More about Jeff Gladney

Jeff Gladney played in 16 games with 15 starts in Minnesota in 2020, totaling 81 tackles with seven tackles for loss, three passes defended and one forced fumble. The Vikings released him in August of 2021 but he signed a new deal with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.

The Cardinals released a statement following the tragic news Monday.

“We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing,” the statement read. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.”

Several of Jeff Gladney’s former TCU teammates also took to social media to express their sorrow on his death. That included Kolby Listenbee, who was among the first to reveal the news.

“RIP to my former teammate Jeff Gladney,” Listenbee tweeted.

Former TCU wideout and current Philadelphia Eagles receiver Jalen Reagor also tweeted the same update.

“Lost my Brother, my best friend, my right hand man… ain’t too much more I can take man damn,” Reagor said. “R.I.P Jeff Gladney, brother watch over me please.”

When he first arrived at TCU as a three-star recruit, Gladney had to work his way into a role with the Horned Frogs. He did just that, and after not playing as a true freshman in 2015, he played in ten games in 2016. That year, he had 46 tackles and six passes defended. He would build upon that success in 2017 by being named honorable mention All-Big 12.

The 2018 season was a breakout for Gladney, as he totaled 41 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and 12 passes defended. He then followed that up with another impressive campaign in 2019, totaling 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception and 14 passes defended to earn first team all-conference honors.