Michael Jackson, Former NFL Wide Receiver, Dies in Motorcycle Accident at 48

Michael Jackson, a former wide receiver with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, was killed in a motorcycle accident in the early hours of Friday morning. He was 48.

According to a Louisiana State Police news release, Jackson crashed his motorbike into a car moving across lanes on U.S. Highway 51 in Tangipahoa, Louisiana, around 1 a.m. local time, NFL.com reported.

The driver of the other car was reversing out of a parking space before backing across lanes on the highway, the police report stated. Jackson was travelling “at a high rate of speed” when he hit the 20-year-old woman’s side door and penetrated the vehicle. She was also killed.

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Jackson played for the Cleveland Browns from 1991-95 and the Baltimore Ravens from 1996-98, before retiring that year at age 29.

Originally from Tangipahoa — the town where he died — Jackson attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was teammates with Brett Favre.

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He was drafted to the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 1991 NFL draft by current New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and had an immediate impact on the team.

He had career-best season in 1993 when he hauled in 41 catches for 756 yards with 8 TD, and in 1996, he tied with San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tony Martin for most receiving touchdowns (14) in the NFL.

Jackson was one of the first stars for the Ravens after the franchise relocated from Cleveland in 1996.

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“Today, our hearts are saddened by the awful news involving Michael,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement, according to ESPN. “He was a vibrant person who became one of the first Ravens heroes and a popular player among Baltimore fans. Well known for his big smile and welcoming nature, it was easy to feel a special connection with Michael.”

Following his football career, Jackson was mayor of the Village of Tangipahoa for a short time.

Jackson’s former teams were quick to share their condolences on Twitter.

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