Former Raiders CB and 1st round pick D.J. Hayden killed in Houston collision

Hayden was with two of his former University of Houston teammates, who also passed away.

Former Raiders CB and 1st round pick D.J. Hayden killed in Houston collision

DJ Hayden (via AP)

It is a sad day as NFL cornerback D.J. Hayden was identified as one of the six people who passed away in Houston early on Saturday morning after a car broke the red light which led to a collision with another oncoming vehicle. Hayden was with his former University of Houston teammates, Zach McMillian and Ralph Oragwu, who also passed away.

D.J. Hayden was 33. The driver who ran the red light and collided with the car that Hayden was in was also pronounced dead on the spot, as per the Houston Chronicle. As per the law enforcement, four individuals involved in the incident were pronounced dead on the spot while two of them passed away after being taken to the local hospital.

YouTube video

Hayden was the Las Vegas Raiders 1st-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He had a health scare early on, just one week before the draft, when a collision at practice led to a tear in his heart. Hayden was a fighter and was discharged from the hospital in a week.

FS Video

D.J. Hayden played in the NFL for 9-years

Following his untimely demise, the Las Vegas Raiders released this statement, 

D.J.'s courage, perseverance, and dedication to his teammates will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew him. The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with D.J.'s loved ones at this time.
DJ Hayden
DJ Hayden (via Andy Lyons)

The University of Houston also released this statement, 

The entire University of Houston community is heartbroken over the tragic passing of former Football student-athletes D.J. Hayden, Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu earlier today, and our thoughts and prayers remain with Jeffery Lewis in his recovery ahead.

The cornerback played in 92 games for the Raiders, wherein he recorded 328 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles. He went on to play for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Washington Commanders.

In case you missed it: