According to many accounts, including one from ESPN, a vehicle crash outside downtown Houston early on Saturday morning claimed the lives of six people, including former Raiders cornerback D.J. Hayden.
According to reports, Hayden and Zach McMillan, a former teammate from the University of Houston, perished in the crash. Hayden was thirty-three years old.
Houston native Hayden was selected by the Raiders in 2013 with the No. 12 overall pick. Prior to signing a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions in 2017, Hayden spent four seasons as a player with the Raiders. He participated in nine NFL seasons before retiring with Washington following the 2021 campaign. He also spent three seasons as a player with Jacksonville.
For the Oakland Raiders, Hayden appeared in 45 games, making 25 starts.
When Hayden was enlisted, his narrative was one of inspiration. His entire college practice resulted in a cardiac injury that almost killed him. Numerous others were motivated by his well-documented recuperation.
The Raiders drafted Hayden with the No. 12 overall draft pick in 2013 out of Houston. Hayden played four seasons with the Raiders before leaving to the Detroit Lions in free agency in 2017. He played a total of nine NFL seasons, retiring after the 2021 season with Washington. He also played three seasons with Jacksonville.
Hayden played in 45 games for the Oakland Raiders with 25 starts.
Hayden was an inspirational story when he was drafted. He overall college practice injury in which his heart was injured and he nearly died. His recovery was well documented and inspired many people.