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Minnesota Vikings to Honor Former Oregon Duck Khyree Jackson In Special Ways

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Minnesota Vikings to Honor Former Oregon Duck Khyree Jackson In Special Ways


On July 6th, Minnesota Vikings rookie and former Oregon Duck Khyree Jackson Passed away in a fatal car accident. Monday, the Vikings announced they would honor the late rookie in the upcoming 2024 season. 

Jackson’s locker at the Vikings facility will go unused this season in his remembrance. The Vikings will also wear helmet decals with his initials “KJ” and his number 31 will also not be used this season. Staff will receive pins to wear and there will be some stenciling on the practice fields to honor him too. 

Oregon Ducks defensive back Khyree Jackson (5) against the Arizona State

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Khyree Jackson (5) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Additionally, the Vikings organization will pay out the remainder of Jacksons $827,000 signing bonus on his rookie contract to his estate as well as will contribute $20,000 for funeral expenses. 

The former Oregon star’s funeral will be held Friday. Jackson’s Family scheduled a joint funeral with Isaiah Hazel, a high school teammate of Jackson and one of three people killed in the accident. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, special teams coach Matt Daniels and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones will attend.  

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In Monday’s press conference O’Connell shared that the team will also hold a private memorial in Minnesota for players and staff with Jackson’s family in attendance. 

Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson hauls in a pass during Oregon Pro Day Tuesday,

Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson hauls in a pass during Oregon Pro Day Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

“You felt Jackson had such a laser focus on what his mission and what his plan was,” O’Connell said. “It really showed up in the spring. He had a very, very good spring and was really looking forward to coming back to training camp and being well on his way and on that path to having a big impact on our team for this year. Just some of my personal dialogue with him and the work he was putting in throughout the summer, you just knew he was going to come back and do that.” 

Unfortunately, Jackon would never return to training camp. Early Morning on July 6th Jackson and two of his high school teammates, AJ Lytton and Isaiah Hazel, passed away in an auto accident.  

According to Maryland state police Jackson, Hazel and Lytton were in a Dodge charger that was hit by another vehicle which was attempting to change lanes while driving at a high rate of speed. Although there have still not been any charges and there is still an ongoing investigation, Investigators believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash. 

Oregon’s Traeshon Holden collects himself while sharing stories of teammate Khyree Jackson during a vigil at Autzen Stadium.

Oregon’s Traeshon Holden collects himself while sharing stories of teammate Khyree Jackson during a vigil at Autzen Stadium. / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

The University of Oregon held a vigil for Jackson in Autzen Stadium where multiple players and coach Dan Lanning gave tributes and shared their memories of Jackson. 

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“Khree is one of those people that I enjoyed every single day getting to go work with him and see that big smile,” said Lanning at the vigil. “You’re gonna have a hard time finding a picture floating around that has Khyree in it that doesn’t have a big smile on it.”  



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Oregon National Guard troops begin demobilization after federal Title 10 deployment

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Oregon National Guard troops begin demobilization after federal Title 10 deployment


The 100 Oregon National Guard troops who were federalized under Title 10, have begun demobilization activities, according to Governor Kotek’s office and U.S. Northern Command.

CONTINUING COVERAGE | Oregon National Guard troops deployed under Title 10 orders

“All Title 10 troops in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago are conducting demobilizing activities. They will return to their home units once their demobilization is complete,” U.S. Northern Command stated on their website.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek released a statement reading in part, “The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.”

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The troops will travel to Fort Bliss, Texas to finish their demobilization before returning home to Oregon.

Oregon troops spent a majority of their time training at Camp Rilea on the Oregon Coast.

Read Governor Kotek’s full statement below:

“The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.

“During this crisis, Oregonians stood united against the unwanted, unneeded, unconstitutional military intervention in our state, with thousands peacefully voicing their opposition to the Trump Administration’s abuse of power.

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“President Trump’s disregard for the facts on the ground revealed that he is more focused on provoking a fight in cities and states that don’t share his politics than serving the American people. I remain committed to defending our values and the rule of law.”

The court injunction that prevents guard deployment in Oregon remains in effect and on appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.



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More snow means more people coming to Central Oregon

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More snow means more people coming to Central Oregon


(UPDATE: added videos and quotes from Todd Mcgee, Owner of Powderhouse)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With snow already piling onto the mountains, more people are flocking to Central Oregon. With businesses seeing more people now than ever before this season.

Todd Mcgee, owner of Powderhouse told KTVZ News, “It’s a lot more in the fact if you think about it, was Christmas break where we should be slammed? we’re as busy or even busier then on a Monday than we were on christmas, you know, weekend. so it’s a huge, significant amount.” 

Ski and snowboard rentals tell you much about how busy of a time it is.

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The busier the rental shops, the busier the mountains are.

“A ton more season leases. and the nice thing about our rentals, when they’re coming back, they’re looking in good shape,” Mcgee told KTVZ News. “We’re not having to stay late and tune them and P-TEX them and get them all back looking nice.”

Powderhouse still has its day and a half turnaround to have equipment ready to go.

Iif you’re still looking to rent equipment, now’s the time to do it.

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Gary Danielson talks Indiana football vs. Oregon rematch: ‘They seemed to not take IU seriously’

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Gary Danielson talks Indiana football vs. Oregon rematch: ‘They seemed to not take IU seriously’


Gary Danielson just retired from calling college football games for decades, including this season’s Indiana at Oregon matchup on Oct. 11.

The Hoosiers (14-0) handed the then-No. 3 Ducks their only loss, 30-20, on the way to the nation’s No. 1 ranking heading into their Peach Bowl game Friday.

Danielson, who played quarterback at Purdue from 1970-72 before an 11-year NFL career, believes Oregon will be more focused for this game.

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The Ducks came into the matchup off an idle week after a double-overtime win over then-No. 3 Penn State at State College, Pennsylvania. Danielson sensed they were still basking in the glow of that win.

“I think Oregon will be very focused for this football game,” he said Monday on the “Dan Patrick Show.” “When Indiana beat them in Oregon, which is a tough place to play, Oregon was coming off their celebration for beating Penn State. Honestly, when we did our interviews, I was struck that they couldn’t get off the Penn State story. … They seemed to not take IU seriously. They’ll take them seriously for this game.”

Though IU made the College Football Playoff last season, some believed the Hoosiers were a one-year wonder, Danielson said.

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“They were considered a fraud from their 2024 finish,” he said. “They weren’t frauds, but they weren’t ready for the big-time stage yet. I thought they were focused this year,” especially on defense.

The Hoosiers lost at Notre Dame in the first-round of last season’s CFP.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.



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