Rarely does a death in the sports world bring out a flood of emotions and reactions, yet this is what happened on Sunday, April 13, as news of the death of former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy spread.
Lacy, 24, was found dead in Houston, according to reports. He had been listed as a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Those dreams, though, were shattered. ESPN reported that Lacy had been charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death, and reckless operation of a vehicle.
This was in connection to a Dec. 17, 2024, auto accident that killed a 78-year-old man. Reports also indicated a grand jury was going to hear evidence in the case starting on Monday, April 14.
Several accounts on X have indicated that Lacy committed suicide. Authorities, though, have not confirmed this as of Sunday afternoon. Upon hearing news of Lacy’s death, athletes and noted sports accounts shared their reactions.
Former LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese wrote in an X post, “Mental health is real. Check on your people! You never know what someone is going through!” Reese also wrote, “idk who needs to hear this but KEEP GOING. YOU GOT THIS!”
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who played college football at LSU, took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday morning and shared a series of images about Lacy.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who knows about personal tragedy in his own life, posted a message online, too. Sports talk show host Jake Crain posted, “Just a horrible situation all around with Kyren Lacy. My condolences to everyone involved.” NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. put up a photo of himself with Lacy online, too.
In times like these, competitive attitudes in the sports world get put on the back burner. The number of voices raised after hearing of Lacy’s death shows that everyone can come together in a single moment.
Lacy had the whole world ahead of him. Being penciled in as a top draft pick? This happened because of Lacy’s on-field talent.
For some, memories of what happened to late Maryland basketball star Len Bias were stirred. Bias was drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. Boston General Manager Red Auerbach had big dreams for Bias. Yet Bias went to a party two days after his big moment and died from a cocaine overdose.
While Bias’ death was not related to mental health issues, the shock of that moment has remained alive ever since.
Lacy’s death put mental health front and center in the sports world yet again. Why does someone with the bright future ahead of them allegedly take their own life? One might presume the pending legal actions were too much for Lacy to face.
Waking up to this news of Lacy’s death should make people stop in their tracks and think about their own lives. No one is totally immune from dealing with their own ups and downs. A person doesn’t have to be an athlete to face them.
This entire situation has made athletes from across the sports spectrum come together. Wouldn’t it be nice to see this type of coming together for such a tragic moment carry over to other issues?
This has not been a rant. If anything, Lacy’s death should act as a wake-up call. Mental health is a serious matter.
I have had my own suicidal ideation moments in life. They are not fun.
Lacy now becomes another statistic, another star athlete who found himself under immense pressure. With the potential news coming out in the days ahead that he took his own life, mental health needs to be highlighted.
Don’t think for a moment that these athletes posting messages online will let this moment pass them by.
Godspeed, Kyren Lacy.
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