Former NFL cornerback D.J. Hayden was among six people who died early Saturday morning in a car crash in Houston, according to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle. He was 33 years old.
Former University of Houston defensive back Zach McMillian was also among those killed in the incident.
Hayden began his college career at Navarro College then transferred to Houston from 2011-’12 before he was drafted in the first round by the Raiders in 2013. In his final collegiate season, Hayden experienced a life-threatening heart issue after colliding with another player during practice.
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Hayden played in the NFL for nine years, the first four with the Raiders before spending time with the Lions, Jaguars and Washington. In 92 total games, Hayden totaled 328 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks and four interceptions. He last played in the league in 2021.
McMillian was a defensive back who played four years at Houston from 2010 to ’13, totaling 11 interceptions. After graduating, he worked for a construction company in Houston and most recently served as the COO of MLZ Holdings Inc, according to his LinkedIn page.
