Before the NFL playoff game, which was emotional for everyone involved, the Minnesota Vikings will carry the memory of Khyree Jackson with them into the game on Monday evening against the Los Angeles Rams.

The former Oregon Ducks defenseman and Vikings rookie died along with two of his high school teammates in a car accident in July. Jackson was 24 years old, a fourth-round pick by Minnesota in the 2024 NFL Draft and just over two weeks after reporting to Vikings training camp.

“It was definitely a tough loss early,” Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores told reporters last week. “It was one of those things that brought the group together early on. In a short period of time he had a huge influence on many people. We talked about honoring him. The best way to achieve this was with a playstyle that reflected the playstyle we expected or would see from him. Hopefully we managed that. And I think he watches us and appreciates us having a good time and playing like that.”

Oregon honored Jackson with a vigil at Autzen Stadium the week after his death. He spent one season with the Ducks but left an indelible impression on many in the program, including coach Dan Lanning, who spoke at the vigil while fighting back tears. The Ducks wore helmet stickers during the 2024 season honoring Jackson and Spencer Webb – who died in 2022.

“Khyree achieved this goal and his journey was different,” Lanning said at the vigil. “He had trials and tribulations to get there and achieve those goals, and I hope that each of us can learn from his trials and tribulations to achieve his goal and that it can help some of us achieve those same goals “I know Khyree will have that influence; I know people will pursue their goals because of stories like Khyree’s.”

The Vikings honored Jackson throughout the season with helmet stickers and also by leaving his locker with his gear at every game, including the No. 31 jersey he would have worn. This will continue in the playoffs. There’s also a Bible in his locker, open to one of Jackson’s favorite passages, Jeremiah 29:11, with James 1:12 as a bookmark.

The team paid out Jackson’s signing bonus of nearly $830,000 to his estate and another $20,000 to cover funeral expenses.

On Sunday, the Vikings hope to continue honoring Jackson through their play and joy. They’ll face a Rams team going through its own grief as wildfires ravage the greater Los Angeles area, forcing the game to be moved to Glendale, Arizona. As of Monday morning, the fires across Los Angeles had killed 24 people and leveled thousands of homes, businesses and schools.

Kickoff between the Vikings and Rams is scheduled for Monday night at 5:00 p.m. PT, with live coverage on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.

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— Ryan Clarke covers that Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to this Ducks Confidential Podcast or subscribe Ducks Roundup Newsletter.