Khyree Jackson Day held at Wise High School to honor NFL rookie who died in car crash

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (DC News Now) — Monday afternoon, more than 100 people came out to Wise High School to pay tribute to former NFL rookie Khyree Jackson, who once played football for the school and

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died in a car crash in 2024 with two other former students.

Jackson’s Mother, Ebbony Jackson, says her son had a big heart and always wanted to give back to his community, and that his memory would live on forever.

“When Khyree got drafted, he was excited about the opportunity to give back, and this is something that we want to continue, and in his name, like giving free haircuts, school supplies, and scholarships,” Ebbony said.

During the Monday gathering, deemed Khyree Jackson Day, Jackson’s parents presented two Wise High School senior students with scholarships, and families got to pick up free school supplies through the newly established Khyree Jackson Foundation. There was free food, and dozens of students got free haircuts.

Jackson’s father, Raymond Jackson, says he was touched and emotional seeing so many friends and family pay tribute to his son on his 26th birthday.

“It means a lot of emotion, but it means the world to me this day, [it] will help with the grieving process for me…” Raymond said. “My son was special and was a great athlete and wonderful person”.

Jackson and his two friends, 23-year-old Isaiah Hazel and 24-year-old Anthony Lytton, Jr., died in a car accident in Prince George’s County in July 2024. The State’s Attorney says a woman was driving drunk when her car slammed into the car with the three young men inside, sending their car off the road.

Jackson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings earlier that year. He played college football at the University of Alabama and Oregon.

Ebbony Jackson says losing her son was heartbreaking but sharing his story helps to comfort her.   

“It was incredibly tough, three families lost their sons and it’s just hard. So I would like people to take from his story even if you have some bumps in the road and this is a dream of yours make sure to pursue it,” she said. “He had dreams outside of football like he wanted to be a husband and father and he loved fashion”.

The Jackson family wants to make Khyree Jackson Day an annual event.