NFL First-Rounder Dallas Turner Gives Heartfelt Tribute To Late Vikings Teammate Khyree Jackson
Alabama standout and Vikings first-round pick Dallas Turner believes that his departed teammate, Khyree Jackson, is looking over him.
Turner paid tribute to Jackson, 24, a fellow Vikings rookie who lost his life in a fatal car crash in Maryland on July 6. As reported on OutKick, Jackson was killed along with former Dr. Henry Wise Jr. High School (Upper Marlboro, Md.) teammates Anthony Lytton Jr. and Isaiah Hazel.
READ: Vikings Doing Everything They Can To Honor Khyree Jackson, Help His Family
Having played together for the Crimson Tide and shared a brief introduction to the Vikings, Turner felt a connection with the late Jackson and is determined to honor his memory.
The Vikings have established a memorial on their practice field in honor of the late cornerback.
"I talk to him all the time ... and get the chills every single time I talk to him. So, I know he's watching over me," Turner said before reporters during Thursday's training camp.
EAGAN, MN - MAY 10: Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) looks on during Minnesota Vikings Rookie Camp on May 10, 2024, at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAGAN, MN - MAY 10: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) puts his arm around Minnesota Vikings cornerback Khyree Jackson (31) during Minnesota Vikings Rookie Camp on May 10, 2024, at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"As long as I'm alive," Turner added, "I'll rep his name."
Jackson and Turner's collegiate careers overlapped from 2021 to 2022 under Nick Saban.
Jackson made his lone start for the Crimson Tide in the 2021 National Championship game. The cornerback played his final year at Oregon, declaring for the draft and being selected in the fourth round by Minnesota. Turner left Bama after three seasons and was heralded as the top pass-rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The pass-rusher spoke about his history with Jackson.
READ: Khyree Jackson, Former Oregon Cornerback And Vikings Rookie, Killed In Car Accident
"So that was really a dude that I saw every single day," Turner shared, "and really [I've seen] him grow from Alabama to when he went to Oregon. He went through his trials and tribulations over there. We ended up at the same place once again.
"So, I kind of felt like that meant something, and that was my dude every single day after practice [this spring]. He was around with me at the hotel, hanging out with each other in the hotel every day and just talking crap and stuff like that with each other, just having fun.
"That was a dude that really helped me grow as a person. He helped me realize who I was, and he helped me build my confidence off the field and on the field in a way. But he [was] definitely a very impactful person."
Tributes continue to pour in for the late Jackson, and the Vikings continue to find ways to shoulder the grief with Jackson's family and friends.
EAGAN, MN - MAY 10: Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) addresses the media during Minnesota Vikings Rookie Camp on May 10, 2024, at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Jackson's funeral is set for Friday, July 26. As detailed by OutKick's Senior NFL Reporter Armando Salguero, Minnesota will be covering a "significant" portion of the expenses for his funeral. The Vikings will also dedicate the remainder of Jackson's $827,000 guaranteed money on his rookie contract to his estate.
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