5 NFL players who tragically died due to accidents during their playing days
NFL players generally have very short careers. While there are always exceptions to any rule, most players end their careers at some point during their 20s and only a few play into their 30s.
The average age of retirement for NFL players is currently around 27 years, demonstrating how short-lived a professional football career can often be.
Playing in the NFL requires an extreme amount of athleticism and determination, which is one of the factors for relatively short careers. The game is also physically demanding and delivers constant punishment to a player's body.
The cumulative beating and injuries add up quickly and can cause a rapid decline in productivity and athletic ability.
While physical decline is the most common cause of football careers ending early, sometimes they are cut short by tragedy. Football players are humans like the rest of us and are not immune to tragic events. Lives can be taken at any moment and unfortunately, this has happened many times in NFL history.
Here are five former players who passed away due to tragic accidents while still being on their teams' rosters.
#1 Jeff Gladney
Jeff Gladney was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He played two seasons with the team before being released and signing with the Arizona Cardinals.
We are saddened by the tragic death of former Viking Jeff Gladney. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, as well as the Arizona Cardinals organization and Jeff’s current and former teammates and coaches who are mourning his life lost much too soon. https://t.co/5bdVCXT6Gv
Just two months after signing with the Cardinals during the 2022 offseason, Gladney was killed in a car accident at just 25 years of age. His car reportedly flipped over before hitting a brick wall and igniting into flames. His girlfriend, Mercedes Palacios, also died in the accident at the age of 26.
#2 Dwayne Haskins
Dwayne Haskins was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders, where he spent two years as a quarterback. After being released, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2021 offseason.
During the 2022 offseason, Haskins was hit by a car while crossing a highway and passed away at 24 years of age. It was reported that his car had run out of gas, so he was crossing the highway in an attempt to get to a gas station.