In Just 3 Years, the NFL Has Lost 5 Active Players – Here’s What Happened
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
In the span of three seasons from 2022 through 2025, the NFL witnessed five heartbreaking instances of young players dying while still connected to the league. These losses, unfolding far too early and too unexpectedly, underscore the fragility of life even for elite athletes in the NFL.
What follows is a closer look at each case, acknowledging both the player and the broader questions their deaths raise for player health, support systems, and the demands of life in the NFL.
Jaylon Ferguson (June 21, 2022)
Ferguson, a 26-year-old outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, was found unresponsive at his home in Baltimore. His death came weeks after his birthday, cutting short a rising career. Medical reports cited the presence of fentanyl and cocaine, and while the full context remains complex, his passing sent shockwaves through the league.
Ferguson was known for his burst off the edge at Louisiana Tech before being drafted in 2019. His sudden passing spotlighted concerns about substance use and mental-health pressures on fringe or young players still fighting for roster stability.
Jeff Gladney (May 30, 2022)
Gladney, 25, was a cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals when a high-speed crash in Dallas killed him and his girlfriend. Although not a suicide, his tragic death is part of the broader pattern of young NFL players dying while still associated with the league. His journey from first-round pick (2020) to legal issues and roster instability ended in the worst way possible.
Gladney’s death prompted renewed discussion about the off-field risks players face, including vehicle accidents, lifestyle spillover, and the emotional toll of an unstable career.
Dwayne Haskins Jr. (April 9, 2022)
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr., just 24, was struck and killed by a dump truck in a pedestrian incident in Florida. While not a suicide, his death is tied to the same tragic timeline and underscores the vulnerability of NFL athletes outside of game contexts.
Haskins’ rise and fall—from first-round pick to struggling backup—left many wondering about the mental-health stresses on quarterbacks and young players who fail to meet expectations.
Khyree Jackson (July 6, 2024)
Though not all fit the suicide label, they compound the narrative of young players dying while on active status. Each of these cases amplified concerns over support systems, transitional planning, and the hidden psychological burdens players carry.
Marshawn Kneeland (November 6, 2025)
The most recent case, Marshawn Kneeland, stands out for its severity and tragic timing. The 24-year-old defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after his vehicle was discovered following a crash and pursuit.
Kneeland’s death came only days after he scored his first NFL touchdown—an accomplishment that should have marked a beginning, not an end.
