Minnesota Vikings Announce Plans to Honor Khyree Jackson's Memory

The Minnesota Vikings have unveiled their plans to commemorate the late Khyree Jackson during what would have been his rookie season, the team announced on Monday.

“Khyree told me, ‘Kwes, there’s no wishes in this life. You get out of life what you put into it,’” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah shared during a Monday press conference, recalling a pre-draft conversation with Jackson. “His joy, his zest for life, and his hard-working spirit were the reasons we were thrilled to bring him into this organization. It’s a tragedy that he’s not here.”

Jackson, a fourth-round draft pick from Oregon who had previously played at Alabama, tragically passed away in a traffic accident on July 6, just months after being selected in the NFL Draft on April 27.

Adofo-Mensah announced that he, along with head coach Kevin O’Connell, will lead a contingent of Vikings representatives at Jackson’s funeral on Friday. The team also plans to hold a “celebration of life” in his honor.

In remembrance of Jackson, the Vikings will wear helmet decals and coaches, as well as staff members, will don pins. Additionally, Jackson’s locker and his No. 31 jersey will remain unused for the entire season.

The team has committed to covering a significant portion of Jackson’s funeral expenses and will ensure that the remainder of his signing bonus is paid to his family. Jackson had signed a four-year, $4.847 million contract with the Vikings, which included an $827,148 signing bonus.

“It’s never a matter of details or specifics,” Adofo-Mensah emphasized about the team’s owners, Zygi Wilf and his family. “It’s always about doing the decent, human, and right thing. They always ask us what the right thing to do is, and they always support it.”

Adofo-Mensah also reflected on how the team will honor Jackson’s memory daily. “We’ll honor Khyree by cherishing the memories we have of him, by smiling, laughing, and thinking about what he might have said or done. By living our lives with joy, working hard, and approaching our craft with dedication, we’ll honor him every day.”

Despite Jackson’s short tenure with the Vikings, O’Connell expressed how deeply he will be missed. “Khyree wasn’t with us long, but our team’s culture fosters strong bonds quickly. Our veteran leaders shared how impactful he was in such a short time.”

Jackson was set to report for training camp on Sunday. O’Connell noted that he spent additional time with the team to support them through this loss.

“Throughout the draft process and his early days with us, Khyree was laser-focused on his mission,” O’Connell said. “He had an impressive spring and was eager to make a significant impact on our team. His commitment and dedication were evident.”

Reflecting on Jackson’s potential, O’Connell added, “It’s a profound tragedy to lose someone so early in life. Khyree was on a promising path and, in my heart, I believe he would have had a very successful NFL career.”