D.J. Hayden, a 2013 first-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders out of the University of Houston, passed away early Saturday morning in Houston.
Hayden, 33, was one of six people killed in a car accident in Houston early Saturday morning.
ESPN reported on the tragedy, which also claimed the lives of former Houston football players Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu and left another former Cougar, Jeffery Lewis, hospitalized.
“The driver who ran the red light was also pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Houston Chronicle, ESPN wrote. “Police said four people were pronounced dead at the scene and two more died after being taken to a local hospital. A woman was transported to the hospital with “life-threatening injuries,” police told the Chronicle, while another person was alert and talking with investigators.”
The University of Houston issued a statement following the tragic accident.
Our entire community is heartbroken over the tragic passing of former Football student-athletes D.J. Hayden, Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu earlier today, and our thoughts and prayers remain with Jeffery Lewis in his recovery ahead.
Statement: https://t.co/Fy83ref2Uw pic.twitter.com/vIkEamxJfB
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) November 11, 2023
Two of Hayden’s former NFL teams, the Las Vegas Raiders and Detroit Lions, tweeted out their condolences and best wishes, as did the Houston Texans.
The Raiders Family is mourning the tragic loss of former cornerback D.J. Hayden. pic.twitter.com/cZPn9z181D
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 11, 2023
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 12, 2023
Our thoughts are with former UH football players D.J. Hayden, Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu, their families and all those affected by this tragic accident, and we wish Jeffery Lewis well in his recovery. https://t.co/E9DqRmcgvU
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 11, 2023
Others shared the sentiments, as well, mourning those who passed away.
Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Zach McMillian, DJ Hayden & Ralph Oragwu. Such truly amazing young men. I recruited Zach, watched DJ coach a HS football game a few weeks ago, and Ralph was a Leader at our restaurant. Words cannot describe how much they’ll be missed. https://t.co/MRXrY9K8ib
— Tony Levine (@CoachTonyLevine) November 11, 2023
If you never read the story of CB DJ Hayden back in 2012 & what he went through … give it a second look. He was a fighter. Unfortunately he passed in a car crash this morning. I spoke to him pre-draft in 2013. Good guy. He will be missed. ❤️ 🙏 pic.twitter.com/08SnUQzInY
— 49er_Edits (@49er_edits) November 11, 2023
The worst kind of news.
Former #Raiders CB D.J. Hayden reportedly killed in car accident.
Once a Raider… always…https://t.co/aaUZCSz5cB
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) November 11, 2023
Damn R.I.P. D.J. Hayden, taken from this world too soon…#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/EwXkFDW3T1
— Phil Jones (@PhilJonesNFL) November 11, 2023
While at Houston in 2012, Hayden suffered a season-ending and near-fatal accident during practice. Prior to the 2013 NFL Draft, Griffin Gotta of SBNation reported that Hayden suffered a “torn inferior vena cava, a main highway for blood traveling between the heart and lower body.”
Hayden played with the Raiders from 2013-2016, the Lions in 2017, the Jacksonville Jaguars form 2018-2020 and the Washington Commanders (then the Washington Football Team) in 2021.
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