Jeff Gladney, a cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals, was found dead early Monday following a car crash, per the teamβs website. He was 25-years-old. Per TMZ, Gladneyβs girlfriend, Mercedes Andrea Palacios, also died in the crash.
The NFL player and former first-round draft pickβwho had been taking part in the CardinalsβΒ voluntary OTAs last weekβwas believed to have been driving in a white car before clipping another vehicle, per TMZ. Nobody was injured in the second vehicle, the Dallas County Sheriffβs Dept, told the outlet. Gladney, who isΒ suspected to have been speeding,Β hit a beam and flipped into a grassy area.Β
After his time at Texas Christian University, the Texas native joined the Minnesota Vikings as the 32nd overall pick in 2020, and playedΒ 16 games.Β He didnβt play in the 2021 season following an assault charge, but signed with theΒ Cardinals in March after being found not guilty.Β
βWe are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladneyβs passing,βΒ the Cardinals tweeted Monday. βOur hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.β
Teammates and friends have since shared an outpouring of grief on social media following news of Gladneyβs death, including fellow TCU grad and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor, who shared a photo and his last words to Gladney on Twitter this week.
βLost my Brother, my best friend, my right hand manβ¦ ainβt too much more I can take man damn,β Reagor wrote. βR.I.P Jeff Gladney, brother watch over me please.β
Teammate J.J. Watt wrote that he found out about the βhorrifying newsβ after the incident, calling it βjust tragic.β