Jeff Gladney, a cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals, was found dead early Monday following a car crash, per the teamâs website. He was 25-years-old. Per TMZ, Gladneyâs girlfriend, Mercedes Andrea Palacios, also died in the crash.
The NFL player and former first-round draft pickâwho had been taking part in the Cardinalsâ voluntary OTAs last weekâwas 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 Sheriffâs Dept, told the outlet. Gladney, who is suspected to have been speeding, hit a beam and flipped into a grassy area.Â
After his time at Texas Christian University, the Texas native joined the Minnesota Vikings as the 32nd overall pick in 2020, and played 16 games. He didnât play in the 2021 season following an assault charge, but signed with the Cardinals in March after being found not guilty.Â
âWe are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladneyâs passing,â the Cardinals tweeted Monday. âOur hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.â
Teammates and friends have since shared an outpouring of grief on social media following news of Gladneyâs 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.
âLost my Brother, my best friend, my right hand man⊠ainât too much more I can take man damn,â Reagor wrote. âR.I.P Jeff Gladney, brother watch over me please.â
Teammate J.J. Watt wrote that he found out about the âhorrifying newsâ after the incident, calling it âjust tragic.â