- NFL WR prospect Michael Jefferson requires surgery after horrific multi-car crash in Alabama
- The athlete was expected to be selected in a draft later this month
- One driver involved in the accident, a 55-year-old man, was reported dead at the scene as he was believed to have not worn his seatbelt at the time
National Football League (NFL) wide receiver prospect Michael Jefferson was involved in a fatal multi-car crash in Alabama that resulted in serious injuries requiring surgery ahead of an expected draft pick later this month.
The athlete got into the incident on Sunday night in his hometown of Mobile, and while the nature of his injuries has not yet been made public, they are severe enough to require surgery. In a statement, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the accident happened on U.S. Route 43.
NFL Star Michael Jefferson Involved in Multi-Car Crash
It involved a 55-year-old man driving a 2014 Dodge Charger that reportedly collided with the NFL athlete's 2019 Chevrolet Impala head-on. A 2008 Nissan Maxima then struck the elderly driver's vehicle.
Authorities said that the individual riding in the Charger was not wearing his seatbelt during the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occurred as Jefferson was coming off an NFL Season where he posted 51 receptions for 810 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a senior, as per Yahoo Sports.
These numbers were crucial factors in leading his team against their opponents in the season. He then transferred to the Ragin' Cajuns after spending time with Alabama State. Jefferson became the leading receiver in his new team, and during his two years there, he totaled 1,291 yards.
Jefferson measured in at 6-foot-4 during the NFL scouting combines and was recorded at 199 pounds. He ran a 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds and also posted an 11-foot, 1-inch broad jump. Jon Perzley, the NFL athlete's agent, said on Tuesday that his client suffered injuries in the accident, according to TMZ.
Jefferson's Potential Impact on the Game
In a statement, Lance Zierlein, an NFK.com Draft analyst, said that Jefferson was considered a tall target with build-up speed. He argued that the athlete had a receiving style that only got better further from the line.
Zierlein argued that Jefferson needed the short-area quickness to avoid the NFL press effectively and would find it difficult to uncover against tight man coverage over the first two levels. On the other hand, the analyst noted the receiver's decent ball skills and capability of working into the zones effectively.
Many experts say that this year's wide receiver class was not a star-studded line-up compared to prior years. However, they noted that it is filled with prospects set to make an immediate impact in the industry during the mid-to-late rounds of games. Jefferson was considered one of these, and many hope his injuries will not prevent him from playing at his best in the future, said the Bleacher Report.
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