According to several reports, former Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Payton-Jones died on Saturday night in a fatal car crash in Florida.
Payton-Jones first joined the Lions in 2018 after going undrafted following a four-year stint at Nebraska. Though Payton-Jones didn’t make the team that year, he returned to Detroit in 2020 after spending two seasons with the Cardinals. The Lions claimed him off of Arizona’s practice squad in September of 2020, and Payton-Jones played one game for the team that season.
Despite his short stints with the Lions, it’s clear he made an impact on several players in the locker room. On Sunday, many of his former teammates went to social media to mourn the loss of their friend.
Former Lions safety Quandre Diggs posted, “RIH my dawg” on Instagram. Amik Robertson, who overlapped with Payton-Jones with the Raiders in 2022, posted “Man wtf!” on Instagram. Former Lions Kerryon Johnson, Tyrell Crosby, and Darius Slay also shared the news of his passing on social media.
After playing for the Lions, Cardinals, Vikings, Titans, and Raiders in the NFL, Payton-Jones spent three years in the UFL, two with the Battlehawks and one with the Seattle Sea Dragons. Across that time, he found success in the spring league, tallying 74 tackles, two interceptions, and 14 pass breakups. He became a fan favorite for his weekly YouTube videos breaking down the life of a UFL player. In January, Payton-Jones announced his retirement from football.
The UFL released the following statement on Payton-Jones’ passing:
“The United Football League is in mourning after the tragic passing of former St. Louis Battlehawks Defensive Back Chris Payton-Jones. Chris was a beloved teammate and leader in the locker room, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, determination, and resilience throughout his career. As importantly, Chris was always a bright soul who everyone throughout the league enjoyed spending time with off-the-field during his three-year tenure. From fan appearances and media engagements to his own content creation and openness to share the highs and lows of his personal journey, Chris carried himself with humility and integrity. Our condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and all others who are impacted by this loss.”
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