Arizona Cardinals CB Jeff Gladney dead at age 25

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jeff Gladney has died at the age of 25 after being involved in a car accident, his agent confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing,” the team said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.”

Gladney, a first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, signed with the Cardinals this year on March 17.

The corner was in Arizona last week for voluntary OTAs with his new team.

New #AZCardinals CB Jeff Gladney learning the defense. pic.twitter.com/WMBHE87IKr

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 24, 2022

In one season in Minnesota, Gladney started in 15 games. He registered 81 tackles to go with three passes defensed and a forced fumble.

He did not play in 2021 after he was arrested in April after allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend and indicted by a Texas grand jury that August. That led to his release by the Vikings, but Gladney was later found to be not guilty.

Gladney signed with the Cardinals and joined a cornerbacks room in need of depth. He likely would have challenged for a starting role with Byron Murphy Jr. and Marco Wilson on the Cardinals’ depth chart.

Taken with the No. 31 overall pick in 2020, Gladney was a standout at TCU where he had five interceptions in his career.

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