![Former Houston Texans star Cedric Killings, whose career in the NFL was shortened after he suffered a fractured vertebra during a kick return in 2007, has died. [YouTube/Screenshot/Public — Carson-Newman's Eagle Sports Network]](https://images.dailycaller.com/image/width=960,height=411,fit=cover,f=auto/https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-29-12.13.21-PM-e1688055314338.png "Former Houston Texans star Cedric Killings, whose career in the NFL was shortened after he suffered a fractured vertebra during a kick return in 2007, has died. [YouTube/Screenshot/Public — Carson-Newman's Eagle Sports Network]")
Rest in peace to a Miami boy.
Former Houston Texans star Cedric Killings, whose career in the NFL was cut short when he suffered a fractured vertebra during a kick return in 2007, has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to Carson-Newman University, his alma mater. He was 45.
Before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in 2000 as an undrafted free agent, Killings played college football at Carson-Newman. In the NFL, he would also suit up for both the Carolina Panthers and then-Washington Redskins.
“Cedric was a fantastic person, player, father, husband, teammate and most importantly, a man of God,” Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Clowney said in a press release. “We are praying for and grieve with Cedric’s family during this difficult time.”
Cedric Killings, NFL player who suffered broken vertebra on kickoff in 2007, dead at 45 https://t.co/zRdaH3EipH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 29, 2023
Killings suffered a career-ending injury in a 2007 game against the Indianapolis Colts when he was involved in a head-on collision during a kickoff.
After retirement, he became an assistant football coach at a Miami high school and lived in South Florida with his wife and three kids.
Killings played 34 games in the National Football League, racking up 41 tackles and three sacks. In college, he was a defensive force at Carson-Newman, being inducted into the South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2018.
Shavon Killings, his wife, took to Facebook to share her grief:
“My love, my best friend, my husband of 21 years is no longer physically with me but he lives in my heart and in the hearts of our 3 children. I’m comforted in knowing he is resting and no longer in pain, but I’m still at a loss and can’t believe this is real,” she wrote. (RELATED: New York Yankees’ Domingo Germán Pitches Only 24th Perfect Game In MLB History)
“If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting him then you already know how special he is,” she added. “Just an all around great person. I don’t just say this as his wife, it’s echoed by family, friends, and former teammates. It has been an honor to share life with him, and to love and be loved by him. So grateful for it all. Love you for life.”
It’s sad that the 3-0-5 lost one of our own. My condolences to the family and friends of Cedric Killings.