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Former NFL player D.J. Hayden killed in Houston traffic collision

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•11/11/23•

SamraSource

DJ Hayden
© Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Former Las Vegas Raiders first-round selection D.J. Hayden passed away on Saturday, according to Joseph Duarte of The Houston Chronicle.

Hayden was 33 years old and last played in the NFL in 2021, when he was a member of the Washington Commanders practice squad.

He spent time with the Houston Cougars during the 2011 and 2012 seasons of his collegiate career, and Duarte noted that’s where Hayden was when he was involved in a fatal traffic collision on Saturday morning. Additionally, fellow former Cougars defensive back Zach McMillan passed away from the accident, as well.

“Tragic news to report this morning: I can confirm from multiple sources that former Houston football players D.J. Hayden and Zach McMillan were among those killed in a collision early Saturday morning in Houston,” Duarte posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Hayden was a former first-round pick of the @Raiders in 2013 who survived a near-fatal hit to the main vein of his heart during a practice in 2012.”

The harrowing news will no doubt shake the professional and collegiate football world. The prayers of the entire football world are with the families and friends of D.J. Hayden, Zach McMillan and everyone involved in Saturday’s accident in Houston.

The Houston police provided details on the fatal crash.

More on former NFL first-rounder D.J. Hayden

Moreover, D.J. Hayden began his college football career at Navarro College in Texas, before transferring to Houston after two seasons. He starred as a member of the community college football program, recording 33 solo tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown during his sophomore season.

During his time with the Cougars, Hayden earned first-team All-Conference USA honors and played well enough to become a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, selected by the then-Oakland Raiders with the No. 12 overall selection.

Hayden would then spend four seasons with the Raiders, before then playing with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Commanders. During his nine-year NFL career, Hayden amassed 91 games played, 328 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Additionally, he served as an inspiration to many throughout his journey on the football field, and how he handled himself off the field. The football world will miss D.J. Hayden.