A FORMER college football star has died after being struck by a vehicle over the weekend.
Chandler Jones, a former running back at San Jose State University, was killed on Sunday after being hit by a Toyota RAV4 near an off-ramp on State Route 90 in Los Angeles at around 2 am.
Jones, 33, was pronounced dead at the scene, the city’s medical examiner’s office told MyNewsLA.
Details about what caused the fatal accident are unknown.
Jones arrived at San Jose State University in 2009 after graduating from Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, Los Angeles County.
Bishop Montgomery High School announced Jones’ death on Facebook, mourning their former standout player.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of alum, Chandler Jones ’09,” the school wrote.
“Jones was a standout player on Bishop’s football team and still holds the record for longest kick-off return (97 yards) and longest fumble recovery (98 yards).”
Meanwhile, the San Jose State University football team’s X account posted, “Forever in our hearts, #89.
“In loving memory of Spartan wide receiver and coach, Chandler Jones.”
Brent Brennan, the former head coach of the San Jose State Spartans, said on X, “From his freshman year as a WR, to coaching on our staff, he made @SanJoseStateFB better everyday.
“The Jet was special. Love you brother.”
Jones finished his collegiate career with the Spartans as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (248) and touchdown catches (31).
“I coached for 50 years and I’ve coached a lot of people and there’s some really special ones, and he’s at the top of the deal,” former San Jose State receivers coach Terry Malley told the San Francisco Chronicle.
“He brought a vibrancy to every day, he was passionate about it, and he was a great teammate. Chandler was a really, really good human being.”
In 2014, the Spartans’ star running back joined several practice squads in the NFL, including for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, and Cleveland Browns.
Despite never making the active roster on an NFL team, Jones took his talents north, joining the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League.
He played on the Alouettes’ active roster in 2016 before being released.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14552578/chandler-jones-dead-san-jose-state-university-football/