Cedric Killings, NFL player who suffered broken vertebra on kickoff in 2007, dead at 45

Cedric Killings, a former Houston Texans’ participant whose NFL profession was reduce quick when he suffered a fractured vertebra on a kick return in 2007, died after a battle with pancreatic most cancers, Carson-Newman College introduced final week. He was 45.

Killings performed at Carson-Newman earlier than he signed with the san francisco 49ers in 2000 as an undrafted free agent. He additionally appeared in video games for the Carolina Panthers and Washington.

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“Cedric was a unbelievable particular person, participant, father, husband, teammate and most significantly, a person of God,” Carson-College head soccer coach Mike Clowney stated in a information launch. “We’re praying for and grieve with Cedric’s household throughout this tough time.”

Killings’ spouse, Shavon, additionally posted about her husband on Fb.

“My love, my finest good friend, my husband of 21 years is not bodily with me however he lives in my coronary heart and within the hearts of our 3 youngsters,” she wrote. “I’m comforted in realizing he’s resting and not in ache, however I’m nonetheless at a loss and may’t imagine that is actual. For those who’ve ever had the pleasure of assembly him you then already understand how particular he’s. Simply an throughout nice particular person. I don’t simply say this as his spouse, it’s echoed by household, associates, and former teammates. It has been an honor to share life with him, and to like and be cherished by him. So grateful for all of it. Love you for all times.”

Defensive sort out Cedric Killings, #97 of the Houston Texans, is assisted off the sphere by medical employees after struggling an damage within the third quarter towards the Indianapolis Colts Sept. 23, 2007 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Photographs)

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Killings suffered the devastating damage in Week 3 of the 2007 season towards the Indianapolis Coltswhen he was in a head-on collision throughout a kickoff. He would by no means play soccer once more.

After retiring from soccer, he was an assistant coach at a highschool in MIami, the place he lived together with his spouse and three youngsters.

Houston Texans defensive sort out Cedric Killings throughout 23-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2006. (Kirby Lee/NFLPhotoLibrary)

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Killings performed in 34 video games and had 41 tackles, together with three sacks. He was inducted into the South Athletic Convention Corridor of Fame in 2018 as he was honored for his defensive prowess at Carson-Newman.