Tragedy struck the NFL world on Saturday morning when Khyree Jackson, a fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in this year’s draft, and two of his high school teammates tragically died in a car accident just after 3 a.m. ET, according to Maryland State Police.

After news of the tragedy broke, the Vikings received an outpouring of support from across the NFL world. The Seattle Seahawks were one of many teams to offer their support with a heartfelt message.

“Sending our deepest condolences to Khyree’s family, the Vikings organization, and all the victims affected by this tragedy,” the Seahawks wrote on X.

Jackson, 24, began his college career at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, but transferred to Alabama in 2021 and again to Oregon in 2023. He earned a first-team All-Pac-12 selection after recording 34 total tackles, seven passes defended and three interceptions on the year. Jackson was the No. 108 overall pick by the Vikings in April.

Also killed in the crash were former Isaiah Hazel, a 23-year-old who played at Maryland and Charlotte, and Anthony Lytton Jr., a 24-year-old who played at Florida State and Penn State. Police say that Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton was transported to the hospital before hospital personnel pronounced him dead.

Investigators believe that Cori Clingman, the driver of the vehicle that struck Hazel’s, was attempting to change lanes when she hit the Dodge Charger the three players were in, causing it to leave the road and strike multiple tree stumps. Investigators also believe that alcohol contributed to the crash. Neither Clingman nor her two passengers were injured in the accident.

Jackson quickly endeared himself to Vikings fans, and was a contender to start during his rookie season.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Khyree’s passing. Khyree had an extremely bright future ahead of him as a player, and it was clear he was dedicated to being a tremendous person who made a positive difference in people’s lives. We are thinking about Khyree’s family and friends and all members of the Minnesota Vikings following this devastating loss,” Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wolf said in a statement.

The Seattle Mariners got a dominant start from starting pitcher Luis Castillo on Friday night in a 2-1 over the rival Toronto Blue Jays at T-Mobile Park.

Castillo earned his seventh win of the year by going 6.2 innings and strikng out eight. He allowed just one run on two hits and two walks. He’s now 7-9 on the year with a 3.72 ERA.

He also struck out the side in the top of the first inning to make some Mariners team history.

Per the Mariners television broadcast, Castillo has recorded 400 career strikeouts with the Mariners. He did this in 63 appearances, which is the fewest in team history.

Any time that you can best Randy Johnson or Felix Hernandez in team history, you’ve something well and Castillo certainly has since arriving in a trade during the 2022 season. While he’s been a little more rocky this season, Castillo has generally been solid during his Mariners tenure. He earned the first win for the M’s in the 2022 playoffs, which was the first win for the franchise since 2001. He also represented the Mariners in the All-Star Game in 2023 at T-Mobile Park.

The win was massive as it sets up the Mariners for success over the rest of the weekend. Seattle is just 3-4 on this nine-game homestand and they’d love to take the next two games to make it a winning one.

Rookie Emerson Hancock takes the ball on Saturday afternoon against fellow rookie Yariel Rodriguez.

First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. PT.

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By Caitlyn Freeman
The Seattle Times

SEATTLE — The Seattle Fire Department is adding a new tool to its water rescue arsenal: two customized Sea-Doos.

The Jet Ski-like personal watercraft were donated to the department by the Seattle Fire Foundation as part of the department’s new rescue watercraft program. The goal of the program, which began on Monday, is simple: speed up water rescue response times.

“As we all know, every second counts in a response [and in the] worst cases that can be a lifesaving difference, a matter of seconds,” Foundation Board Member Samuel Murr said. “So these will help cut down the time to respond. We can get folks on the scene faster to start extrication or support.”

The watercraft will be kept at the Leschi North Moorage on Lake Washington and will cost the foundation about $64,000, a Fire Department spokesperson said in an email.

During a news conference Monday afternoon, fire Chief Harold Scoggins said the Sea-Doos create “almost limitless possibilities” as they expand the distance rescue divers can travel. Currently, divers are only certified to swim 300 feet offshore.

The department sees an average of 70 water rescues per year, a news release states.

“It means a lot to the community,” Scoggins said, standing on the docks. “We’re so fortunate here in Seattle to have a fire foundation that supports the men and women of the Seattle Fire Department. And this donation today is another testament to that.”

To use the Sea-Doos, which can go up to 52 mph, firefighters at Station 5 underwent 20 hours of training. Dietrich Hauge, the fire captain overseeing the program, said the department decided to store the Sea-Doos in the Leschi marina because it is central to Lake Washington.

He said driving 3 miles from the fire station on Seattle’s waterfront to the marina takes six to eight minutes when using lights and sirens. Once there, it takes another couple of minutes for firefighters to suit up and get the Sea-Doos on the water.

Both Sea-Doos are deployed during each rescue as one vessel has a driver and diver and the other takes a support role. The victim can either board the Sea-Doo with the driver or latch onto a sled-like device on the back of the watercraft.

Hauge said the overall reaction among firefighters using the Sea-Doos has been positive. He said there’s potential to add them to other stations in the city, depending on how the first year at Station 5 goes.

“I think a lot of people have recognized that this is a service that we can provide the community that we can improve on,” he said.

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