Vikings Mourn the Loss of Khyree Jackson at Funeral Service

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah attended the funeral of Khyree Jackson, a 24-year-old from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, who tragically lost his life in a car accident earlier this month. The incident involved an impaired driver who collided with Jackson's vehicle before hitting another car. Family and friends gathered to celebrate Jackson's life, alongside the memory of his high school teammate, Hazel. In addition to O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah, several members of the coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Brian Flores and special teams coordinator Matt Daniels, were present at the service. Jackson, a former student-athlete at Oregon and Alabama, was known for his impressive skills in press coverage and run stopping, which aligned well with Flores' defensive strategies. The Vikings organization has committed to honoring Jackson's legacy by paying the remainder of his $800,000 signing bonus to his estate. The team plans to commemorate Jackson throughout the season by wearing helmet patches featuring his initials and leaving his locker untouched. Coaches and staff will also wear pins with a special decal, and the practice fields will be dedicated to his memory. Adofo-Mensah expressed the importance of honoring Jackson through cherished memories and the way the team approaches their work and lives, emphasizing joy and hard work as a tribute to the late player. In a further gesture of support, the Vikings will fly Jackson's family to Minnesota for a private commemoration with players and coaches in the coming weeks.