Jeff Gladney shared heartbreaking tribute to son about their 'many more memories to come' only weeks before star's death
Andrew Hansen
Published Sep 06, 2026
NFL star Jeff Gladney shared a moving post about making memories with his son just weeks before his death.
The Arizona Cardinals player died in a car accident on Monday morning, adding heartbreaking significance to the recent instagram post he had shared to mark his child's first birthday.
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Gladney shared the touching words in a post less than three months ago.
In the post, the professional athlete shared a photo of his young son Kingston sleeping, with a caption wishing the child a happy birthday.
The 25-year-old cornerback referred to him as "the lil guy" who changed his life.
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"You wouldn’t understand how the thought of you has gotten me through many of my darkest days," he wrote.
"Although we have many many more birthdays and memories to come this one is special."
But with the news that Gladney died in a car crash early Monday morning, that first birthday will be the last the child will have with his father.
Gladney's death was confirmed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram by his agent Brian Overstreet.
The cornerback played college football at Texas Christian University before moving onto the NFL.
He started his professional career as a first round draft pick with the Minnesota Vikings.
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Following felony assault charges, Gladney was dropped from Minnesota shortly shortly before the 2021 season.
Gladney was ultimately found not guilty and was picked up by the Arizona Cardinals.
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