Credit: Getty ImagesFORMER NFL player Chris Payton-Jones has died in a horror car crash at the age of 30.
The football star passed away following the incident on Saturday night when the car he was driving was involved in a head-on smash.
Chris Payton-Jones has died in a car accident at the age of 30Credit: Getty Images
The star (left) was favoured as one of the great characters of the sportCredit: Getty Images
Chris Payton-Jones has died after the collisionCredit: Getty Images
Payton-Jones was reportedly driving a sedan when he collided head-on with a pickup truck in Alachua County, according to News 4 Jacksonville .
Reports state he was the only person killed in the crash, but three others were involved.
The truck’s three passengers suffered only minor injuries and have received medical assistance.
Payton-Jones’ family have confirmed his death and others have lined up to pay tribute to the star.
“Chris was a beloved teammate and leader in the locker room, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, determination, and resilience throughout his career,” a statement from the UFL read, where Payton-Jones last played with the Battlehawks before announcing his retirement last January.
“As importantly, Chris was always a bright soul who everyone throughout the league enjoyed spending time with off-the-field during his three-year tenure.”
Payton-Jones signed with the Lions, Titans, Vikings and Raiders, playing in 29 games over six seasons in the league. He recorded 48 tackles and seven passes defended in the NFL.
He most recently played for the Seattle Battlehawks of the UFL in 2024 after spending 2022 in the XFL with the SeaDragons.
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Patrick Clark, Payton-Jones’ coach at Sandalwood High School, told Action News Jacksonville : “Seeing him get the call from the Detroit Lions to welcome him to the National Football League and, you know, hugging his family and just being in that atmosphere… it hits you a little different because he had so much more to give to the world,”
In recent years, Payton-Jones became well known in his local community for his Flashflix media company and YouTube channel, which has more than 1.3 million views. The channel was focused on local sports in Jacksonville.
“He just was an honest, genuine, true-to-himself type of person,” Clark added.
His high school coach, Adam Geis, also joined in the tributes.
“He was one of my all-time favorites! The kid never missed a workout, never missed practice, and never wanted to come off the field. Everyone loved him,” Geis said.
“He was always unbelievably positive. I’ve never heard that kid ever say anything negative about anyone or anything.… It was always a pleasure to be around him. You were always happy to see him.”
“Unbelievably positive” star Chris Payton-Jones has died in a car crashCredit: Getty Images
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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