Chris Payton-Jones, a former NFL cornerback, recently died in a car crash, aged 30. In a tragic update, it has been revealed that he welcomed a baby daughter into the world just three weeks before his fatal accident.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Cloeta Jones, Chris' sister, made the revelation while speaking with The US Sun.
"I'm devastated," Cloeta said. "I'm hurt. My brother is gone. I cannot even cope with the pain. 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."
The update has provided a heartbreaking twist to an already tragic accident. Shortly after news of Chris' death became public, Cloeta shared her pain via a post on Facebook.
"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........"
Cloeta also updated her cover photo and profile picture on the popular social media site, paying homage to her now late brother.
Tributes Have Poured in for Chris Payton-Jones
The United Football League released a statement upon learning of Chris' death. He had previously spent 2024 playing for the Seattle Battlehawks.
"Chris was a beloved teammate and leader in the locker room, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, determination, and resilience throughout his career," the statement read. "As importantly, Chris was always a bright soul who everyone throughout the league enjoyed spending time with off-the-field during his three-year tenure," the statement read in part.
The tributes didn't stop there, though. Adam Geis, Chris' former high school coach also released a statement following his death.
"He was one of my all-time favorites! The kid never missed a workout, never missed practice, and never wanted to come off the field. Everyone loved him," Adam Geis, Chris' high school coach said, via News 4 Jacksonville. "He was always unbelievably positive. I've never heard that kid ever say anything negative about anyone or anything. ... It was always a pleasure to be around him. You were always happy to see him."
Chris Payton-Jones' passing has certainly created a void not only for his family but also in his community.
No details regarding his impending funeral have been released.
