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Former Kansas City Chiefs player Jimmy Wilkerson dies at 43; high school honours late assistant coach with teary win

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Former Kansas City Chiefs player Jimmy Wilkerson dies at 43; high school honours late assistant coach with teary win


Former Kansas City Chiefs draft pick and longtime NFL defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson sadly passed away earlier this week on December 13 in Oklahoma City. He was 43 years old.

Longtime NFL player Jimmy Wilkerson, 43, passed away on December 13 in Oklahoma — a day before the final game of his son Maddox’s senior season. (Instagram (maddoxwilkerson45))

Before his unfortunate demise, Wilkerson was employed as an assistant coach at Carl Albert High School. According to The Oklahoman, the Titans were scheduled to have their final practice before the Saturday game. A few hours before the planned schedule, the former OU standout was at home when a call went out to paramedics for an emergency. Wilkerson, however, was reportedly no longer with us before the officials arrived. A heart attack is believed to be the cause of his untimely death.

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More about the NFL star’s pro career. His son is also a football player

Throughout his NFL career, the Oklahoma athlete played with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2003-07. Eventually, he switched over to Tampa Bay for two seasons before joining the New Orleans Saints roster in 2010. His NFL path culminated with Seattle in 2011.

The late assistant coach’s son, senior tight-end Maddox Wilkerson, followed in his father’s footsteps, playing alongside his teammates for Carl Albert. With barely a day elapsed between his dad breathing his last breath and his school’s showdown against Guthrie, the #45 athlete (the same number his dad wore while playing at the collegiate level) still stepped up to the occasion and participated in the crucial match, which ultimately paved the way for a historic victory.

Jimmy Wilkerson’s memory honoured by historic Carl Albert victory

Despite reeling from the older Wilkerson’s death, the Carl Albert team defeated Guthrie 30-6 at the Class 5A state championship football game at the Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Saturday, December 14. It marked the school’s third consecutive Class 5A title and the program’s 19th overall. Nevertheless, the post-game visuals stung with the abject pain of loss.

With tears in his eyes, Carl Albert coach Mike Dunn praised the student-athletes for rising above the prevailing hardship, saying, “Proud of all of our guys. Different circumstances today. … I don’t know that we’ve ever dealt with adversity like that.”

Maddox’s mother, Jamie, reportedly offered him the option to sit out the game. Yet he did more than show up for the team. “We were trying really hard to get him in” the end zone, Dunn said of the young player. “But he’s made plays all year long, and so I know his dad would be proud of him.”

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He added, “You talk about hard. That kid dealt with a lot. … He’s a great kid, great family and he’s gonna have a bunch of coaches, we’ll never be his dad, but we’ll always be there for him.”

“Everybody earned this…but this one’s going home tonight with Maddox Wilkerson.”

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Maddox Wilkerson’s teammates stand by him

Carl Albert Captain Caden Davis said of the late NFL player, “You can’t replace a guy like Coach Wilkerson. He’s so selfless and gives everything he has to everybody.”

Alluding to the example set by Maddox, he added, “That guy is so tough. Maddox is such a strong guy.”

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Similarly, linebacker and OU signee Marcus James noted, “He came out and handled business like he was supposed to. … It was great for him to come out and be able to take the field and be able to play after a time like that.”

On Friday, the deceased NFL talent’s son paid a tribute to his father on Instagram. “You were the best dad and also my best friend,” he wrote on social media. “I love you so much, Dad. Life won’t ever be the same without you here by my side.”

According to social media receipts, Jimmy Wilkerson is survived by his wife, Jamie, and four kids, Tyson, Maddox, Jax, and Emilia.

On Friday, Maddox Wilkerson honoured his late father by posting a slideshow of their shared memories on Instagram.
On Friday, Maddox Wilkerson honoured his late father by posting a slideshow of their shared memories on Instagram.



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Kansas senators demand answers after deadly DC plane crash

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Kansas senators demand answers after deadly DC plane crash


WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Both of Kansas’ U.S. senators spoke on Thursday, delivering public comments for the second since the deadly plane crash Wednesday night in Washington, D.C. involving an American Airlines flight inbound from Wichita and a military helicopter.

Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall participated in a virtual call, sitting next to each other. They both expressed that Wednesday night into Thursday morning was the longest night of their lives.

The senators rushed to Ronald Reagan National Airport late Wednesday after a plane arriving from Wichita collided with an Army helicopter as it was preparing to land in D.C., resulting in a bright explosion in the D.C. skyline.

During the joint call, Moran and Marshall emphasized their focus on supporting the families who lost loved ones in the crash. Part of that support includes seeking answers about how and why the plane and helicopter collided.

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Both senators criticized the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Thursday for not disclosing more information about the incident. Marshall pointed out that he believes a series of errors led to the crash.

“I’ll begin with air traffic control,” Marshall stated. “Why were the helicopter and the jet flying at the same altitude at the same time? I’m not a pilot, but I know there are some basic rules of the air.”

The NTSB announced on Thursday that there is no set deadline for the outcomes of the investigation into the crash, but they indicated that a preliminary report would be released in 30 days.

Moran is the chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation, the committee oversees the FAA. He will examine the NTSB investigation report, call for witnesses, and look into the military’s training practices near the Reagan National Airport.

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Video Kansas community mourns victims of deadly plane-helicopter crash over DC

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Video Kansas community mourns victims of deadly plane-helicopter crash over DC


Kansas community mourns victims of deadly plane-helicopter crash over DC

Figure skaters and coaches returning from the U.S. national championships were aboard the flight that departed from Wichita, Kansas and collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C.

January 30, 2025



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Kansas Senate advances bill that'd ban gender-affirming care for minors

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Kansas Senate advances bill that'd ban gender-affirming care for minors


WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Kansas Senate on Wednesday advanced a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors. After passing the Senate, 32-8, the bill moves to the Kansas House. The “Help Not Harm Act” is similar to proposed legislation that Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed last year. Republicans came up one vote short of overriding that veto, although similar laws have been implemented across the U.S.

The Kansas House and Senate were working on parallel bills and both had hearings on Tuesday. The Republican-sponsored bills would prohibit state funding to gender-affirming care and prohibit healthcare providers from providing care to children including surgery, hormones and puberty blockers.

“Today, a supermajority of the Kansas Senate took a firm stand in support of helping and not harming children by make it clear that transgender ideology and the mutilation of minors is no longer legal in Kansas. The credit for this victory goes to the courageous men and women who have spoken out against the harm these procedures are causing our children,” said Senate President Ty Masterson in a news release from his office that followed the vote.

Ahead of the Senate vote on Tuesday, those for and against the bill had two minutes to make their cases in a Senate hearing. Mother Kristi Khan was among those who spoke against the bill. She said her transgender son died by suicide in 2022 and that the impact of such bills and conversations weigh heavily.

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“We’re going to have more children dying because there is no care offered for them,” she said. “This bill is going to make it hard for them to even have the therapists talk to them about gender dysphoria.”

Bill supporters said this is about protecting children, citing concerns about the science of treatments and harm to the body.

“Hopefully this year we have the votes to override. We are one of the last red states to still allow pediatric gender transition,” said bill supporter Susan Cary on Tuesday. “We need to stop it. It’s medical maleficence.”

Masterson said the need for the Help Not Harm Act was evident during Tuesday’s hearing in the Senate Public Health Welfare Committee.

He said “conferees offered compelling testimony demonstrating the devastating, lifelong impact of these procedures.”

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