- Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jeff Gladney has died at the age of 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
- Gladney's agent said he died in a car crash and asked for prayers and privacy for the family.
- Teammates and friends voiced their emotions at the unexpected loss.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jeff Gladney died in a car crash early Monday morning in Dallas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. He was 25.
"We are asking prayers for the family and privacy at this most difficult time," Gladney's agent Brian Overstreet told the publication.
Overstreet did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Gladney made headlines as a star defensive player at Texas Christian University, and was a first-round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.
Friends and teammates from across the National Football League mourned his loss on Twitter.
"Lost for words… I just lost my best friend," said Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Reagor. "None of this shit makes sense."
"Horrifying news to hear this morning. Just tragic," Arizona Cardinals' JJ Watt said.
Gladney signed with the Cardinals in March after he was found not guilty of assault charges that had caused him to sit out the 2021 season.