Khyree Jackson Foundation Started by Late Cornerback’s Parents

Doing it to honor his memory

It was just about this time one year ago when young Khyree Jackson fulfilled one of his life’s dreams when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Sadly, as we know, Jackson would never get to take the field in purple as he and two of his high school teammates were killed in an automobile accident in Maryland shortly before the start of training camp.

On Thursday, his family took a step to ensure that his memory would live on for a very long time.

Jackson’s parents, Ebbony and Raymond, have officially launched the Khyree Jackson Foundation, which will serve to inspire the next generation of young athletes and students to use their talents to positively influence their communities.

Ebbony and Raymond were invited to Eagan on Thursday to collect Khyree’s belongings from his locker as well as detail their hopes for the Foundation. The Vikings maintained Jackson’s locker all season in 2024 after his passing and took one of his jerseys with them on the road as well. They also wore helmet stickers, with the coaching staff wearing pins with Jackson’s initials.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell talked about how much Khyree Jackson’s presence meant to the team this past season.

“This was more than a locker,” O’Connell tenderly told a tearful Ebbony and Raymond as the group circled around the space, a bouquet of dried roses still lying near the assortment of T-shirts, shorts and other items of Khyree’s.

“The pins, the stickers on the helmets, that was really for everybody else, just to make sure they knew there was so much being felt in this building. Our connection to you guys as a family, your willingness during an incredibly difficult time to let us grieve along with you,” O’Connell said. “But also to be so proud of Khyree. Be so proud of the journey he had been on to get to this moment. And his teammates showed a relentless commitment to make him a part of what was a really special year for our team.”

You can find the website for the Khyree Jackson Foundation at www.khyreejacksonfoundation.org.

Here’s hoping that the Khyree Jackson Foundation helps a lot of youngsters out there to reach their goals, whatever they might be.