The Minnesota Vikings will pay tribute to Khyree Jackson this season by wearing “KJ” decals on their helmets. Coaches and staff will also wear pins matching the design of the decal.
Jackson, a fourth-round pick from Oregon, was among three individuals killed in a car accident in Maryland two weeks ago. The other victims were Isaiah Hazel, who played at Maryland and UNC Charlotte, and Anthony “AJ” Lytton, who played at Florida State and Penn State.
In addition to the season-long tribute, the Vikings announced they will pay Jackson’s full signing bonus to his family. According to Spotrac, Jackson’s bonus was $827,148, with a 2024 season payment of $206,787.
The Vikings will cover “a significant portion” of Jackson’s funeral expenses, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Ben Goessling. The funeral is scheduled for Friday, with General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, and assistant coaches Brian Flores, Matt Daniels, and Daronte Jones attending.
Jackson, 24, Hazel, 23, and Lytton, 24, were high school teammates at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, winning multiple state championships together.
Jackson’s football journey included an initial commitment to Arizona Western College, followed by a return to Maryland due to homesickness. After a two-year break working at a grocery store, Fort Scott Community College in Kansas recruited him back to football. He played two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Oregon for the 2023 season, where he recorded 34 tackles, three interceptions, and two sacks in 12 games.
After being drafted by the Vikings, Jackson impressed coaches and observers during minicamp and OTAs, particularly with his press coverage skills. Adofo-Mensah commended his resilience.
“I am absolutely crushed by this news. Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him,” O’Connell said in a team statement.
Jackson’s No. 31 will not be assigned to another player this season, and his locker at the Vikings facility will remain unused as a tribute.
