Overview
- Chris Payton-Jones, 30, died after a head-on collision late Saturday in Alachua County, Florida, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
- Officials say his sedan struck a pickup on State Road 24, the car caught fire, and he was pronounced dead at the scene while three people in the truck had minor injuries.
- The crash occurred around 11:45 p.m. near NE 53rd Terrace on State Road 24, with Payton-Jones the only fatality reported by authorities.
- The former Nebraska cornerback played 29 NFL games across multiple teams before stints in the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons and the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks, then he recently announced his retirement.
- The UFL issued a formal statement mourning him as a beloved teammate, while coaches and the Jacksonville community praised his mentoring and his Flashflix channel that spotlighted local sports.