Early Monday morning, former NFL cornerback Jeff Gladney passed away in a car accident alongside his girlfriend, Mercedes Andrea Palacios. Gladney, who previously played for the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals, was 25.
The loss has hit many players throughout the league incredibly hard, but perhaps none more than receiver Jalen Reagor, who played with Gladney at TCU from 2017 to 2019. Reagor responded to the death on Twitter.
“Lost my Brother, my best friend, my right hand man… ain’t too much more I can take man damn! R.I.P Jeff Gladney, brother watch over me please.”
Reagor later tweeted he was at a “loss for words” and posted a picture of his and Gladney’s last conversation, along with a photo of the two embracing while at TCU.
Lost for words… I just lost my best friend.
— Reag (@jalenreagor) May 30, 2022
News of Gladney’s death was confirmed by his agent, Brian Overstreet. “We are asking prayers for the family and privacy at this most difficult time,” Overstreet told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The Cardinals had previously signed Gladney to a two-year deal after Gladney was found not guilty on a felony assault charge. In 2020, Gladney posted 81 tackles and defended three passes in 16 games for the Vikings.
According to a report from NBC Sports, news of Gladney’s passing was first discovered through one of Reagor’s instagram posts.
While Reagor has gotten the scorn of Philadelphia fans due to his unproductive run since being drafted in the first round back in 2020, his sorrow is a reminder that football players are humans too, and the bonds they’re able to form along the way are imperative.
Hopefully, both he and Gladney’s family are able to find peace in a heart-wrenching time.