Chris Payton-Jones’ death in a car crash over the weekend came just weeks after he welcomed a baby daughter, it has been revealed.
The former cornerback, 30, died in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday evening after his sedan collided with a pickup truck, according to News 4 Jacksonville.
His heartbroken sister, Clotea Jones, has now told The US Sun that Payton-Jones had a baby daughter just three weeks before the fatal accident.
“I’m devastated. I’m hurt. My brother is gone. I cannot even cope with the pain,” she said.
Chris Payton-Jones passed away in a car accident over the weekend at 30 years old. Getty Images “He was excited about where he was in life, working with kids and the birth of his daughter. His daughter was born three weeks before he passed. He was just excited about being a father.”
Payton-Jones also had a son, whom he said was 7 years old last year.
The former Lions, Titans, Vikings and Cardinals player last suited up for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League before announcing his retirement from pro football in January.
In recent years, he had transitioned to content creation with his Flashflix YouTube channel, and was a “constant presence” on high school football sidelines as he offered mentorship to upcoming videographers and football players, according to News 4 Jacksonville.
He appeared in 29 regular-season games in the NFL after latching on in Arizona in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska.
According to an incident report obtained by the US Sun, Payton-Jones was driving on the wrong side of the road when the fatal crash occurred.
Three other passengers in the pickup truck suffered minor injuries in the crash.
Payton-Jones (left) poses with Nick Whiteside of the St. Louis Battlehawks after a game against Arlington Renegades in May of last year Getty Images Payton-Jones’ former coach on the Battlehawks, Anthony Becht, said his “heart was broken” over the news over the player’s death.
“Chris was an outstanding player, a fantastic teammate and an incredible human being. Chris was a joy to coach and be around the past two seasons in St. Louis.”
“I love that young man. Sending out deepest respect and condolences to the Payton-Jones Family from myself, my staff, and from all his teammates that loved and worked with him. The world lost a good one.”
In the wake of her brother’s death, Clotea has also updated her cover photo and profile picture on Facebook to photos of her and Chris.
“This s— is unbearable dawg,” she wrote in one post. “Cj what is your lil sis supposed to do? How am I supposed to live with knowing I’ll never see your face or get a hug? Somebody wake me up……..”
