A former NFL player and University of Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback, cherished by fans and teammates alike, has tragically passed away at the age of 30 following a car crash.
Chris Payton-Jones was behind the wheel of a sedan in Florida on Saturday when he was involved in a head-on collision with a pickup truck, as reported by News 4 Jacksonville.
The collision claimed Payton-Jones’ life at the scene, while the three passengers in the pickup truck sustained minor injuries.
Following the confirmation of his passing by his family, social media was inundated with heartfelt tributes celebrating his life and achievements.
Over his four-season NFL career, Payton-Jones played for teams such as the Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Las Vegas Raiders, from 2018 to 2022.
During his time in the NFL, he recorded 48 tackles and defended seven passes across 29 games.
From 2022 to 2024, he played for the XFL’s Seattle SeaDragons and the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks.
While still playing, he launched his YouTube channel, Flashflix, focused on local sports in his hometown of Jacksonville.
Chris Payton-Jones, 30, a former NFL player for four teams, has died in a car accident at age 30
While driving a sedan in Alachua County, Florida , on Saturday, Payton-Jones collided head-on with a pickup truck
After returning to Jacksonville, Payton-Jones was frequently spotted on Sandalwood High School sidelines during football games.
He was a three-star high school prospect at Sandalwood, who graduated in 2014 and signed with the University of Nebraska.
Adam Geis, Payton-Jones’ coach at Sandalwood, told News4 that he was a special and genuine person with an elite work ethic.
‘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.’
At Nebraska, Payton-Jones was an elite cornerback and was named All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2016.
He was not selected in the draft and was initially signed by the Lions but was cut by the end of training camp in 2018.
According to Newsweek, the Arizona Cardinals picked him up two days later, and he would eventually appear in two games during the 2018 season.
Payton-Jones played parts of four seasons in the NFL and signed for the Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Las Vegas Raiders. He also played or the XFL’s Seattle SeaDragons and the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks
Payton-Jones had also launched a YouTube channel while playing centered around local sports in his hometown of Jacksonville
In 2019, he played in 11 games, starting three.
He ultimately bounced around the league from 2020 to 2022, seeing the field in 16 more games before being pushed down to the practice squad.
He recently announced his retirement from football, thanking God for the opportunity to play at the highest level.
The UFL released a statement following the tragic news of Payton-Jones’s death: ‘The United Football League is in mourning after the tragic passing of former St. Louis Battlehawks Defensive Back Chris Payton-Jones.’
‘Chris was a beloved teammate and leader in the locker room, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, determination, and resilience throughout his career. 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.’
‘From fan appearances and media engagements to his own content creation and openness to share the highs and lows of his personal journey, Chris carried himself with humility and integrity.’
‘Our condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and all others who are impacted by this loss.’
