Jeff Gladney, a former TCU football player who was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2020, died in a car accident on Monday morning.
The 25-year-old cornerback signed with the Arizona Cardinals in March.
“We are asking prayers for the family and privacy at this most difficult time,” agent Brian Overstreet told the Star-Telegram.
Gladney developed into a shutdown cornerback for the TCU Horned Frogs, finishing his college career with 43 passes defended, five interceptions, and six tackles for loss. He was selected with the 31st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Vikings and played in all 16 games that year for Minnesota, starting 15 of them. He finished the year with 81 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, with three passes defended and one forced fumble.
The Vikings cut Gladney in August 2021 after he was charged with felony assault after he was alleged to have struck his girlfriend during an argument. He was found not guilty of the charges in March 2022 and then signed with the Cardinals in the hope that he could get back on track with his personal and professional life.
New #AZCardinals CB Jeff Gladney learning the defense. pic.twitter.com/WMBHE87IKr
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 24, 2022
Several of Gladney’s former TCU teammates offered condolences upon hearing the news.
https://twitter.com/jalenreagor/status/1531327563485917185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1531327563485917185%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-telegram.com%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Fbig-12%2Ftexas-christian-university%2Farticle261948210.html
RIP to my former teammate Jeff Gladney 🙏🏽
— Kolby Listenbee (@List10bee_Swagg) May 30, 2022
There were condolences from many others in the football world as well.
https://twitter.com/drewdavison/status/1531332507702108162
Rest In Peace Jeff Gladney🙏🏾
— JJETS✈️ (@JJettas2) May 30, 2022
Tragedy: #Cardinals CB and former #Vikings first-round pick Jeff Gladney has passed away at the age of 25. Details are unavailable at this time.
Way too young. RIP.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 30, 2022
Jeff Gladney was 25. Such a young man with such a bright future. Please everyone be mindful and respectful of Jeff, his family and his loved ones. Tremendous loss. Rest in Paradise Jeff.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 30, 2022
Rest In Peace Jeff Gladney. The 25 year old cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals has passed away. So much life ahead of him. Send a prayer up for him, his family and friends after this tragic loss.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 30, 2022
