Jeff Gladney, a cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals, died Monday in a car crash. In that car was his girlfriend, Mercedes Palacios, who also passed away at the scene.
The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. local time on the service road of the Woodall Rogers Freeway in Dallas, CBS Dallas/Fort Worth reports. According to reports, investigators believe one vehicle was speeding and clipped a second vehicle from behind. The speeding vehicle then lost control and hit a support beam.
Footage has since emerged showing both parties just living their best life and enjoying a night on the town mere hours before they would be gne forever.
Gladney played college ball for the TCU Horned Frogs, where he was named first-team All-Big 12 in his final year in 2019. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, but was released in August 2021 following an indictment on a domestic violence charge.
Once was acquitted in March of this year, he would be signed to the Cardinals.
“We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing,” The Cardinals said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.”
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The Vikings said in a statement, “Our hearts go out to his family and friends, as well as the Arizona Cardinals organization and Jeff’s current and former teammates and coaches who are mourning his life lost much too soon.”
TCU said it was “devastated,” adding that Gladney will be “missed by our entire community.”
