Eighth Grade Football Phenom Jaylon McKenzie Shot And Killed By A Stray Bullet During A Party

iStockphoto

Less than six months ago, Jaylon McKenzie was featured in Sports Illustrated as one of the Six Teens Who Will Rule The Future In Sports. The eighth grade running back, receiver and defensive back from Central Junior High in Belleville, Illinois made waves after catching five passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns at the NFL’s 8th Grade All-American Game in Canton, Ohio this past August. He had already had college offers from University of Missouri and University of Illinois and had plans to play football at the professional level when the time came.

But Jaylon’s dream of playing for the Los Angeles Rams or Chargers will never be realized, as the 14-year-old was shot and killed by a stray bullet at a party on Saturday night.

Jaylon’s mother, Sukeena Gunner, claimed that her son was so dedicated to sports, he hardly ever attended parties. Fighting back tears, she said witnesses to the shooting told her Jaylon was hit by a stray bullet after a fight broke out at a party. He and a 15-year-old girl were taken to a hospital where Jaylon died a short time after. The girl, 15, remains in critical condition, according to police.

“It’s so hard to fathom that someone took my baby from me because he dreamed so big,” Gunner said, fighting back tears. “I can just remember him coming into my room and telling my husband to call his name. ‘We have a 5-6 running back, Jayyyyy-lonnnn MacKenzieeee.’ And he would run into the room after his name was called.”

“He wasn’t a man of many words,” his mother said. “He had a humbling personality. He wasn’t very outgoing, but everybody knew him and loved him.”

As a seventh grader, Jaylon rushed for 1,546 yards and 21 touchdowns. It’s a shame we won’t be able to watch this talent blossom.

https://twitter.com/EarlBBennett/status/1125089400252137472

What a fucking shame.