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Seattle Seahawks running back Fred Jackson crashed his car after practice Tuesday night. TMZ originally reported he was street racing with teammate Marshawn Lynch, but that story has not been confirmed.
Here’s everything you need to know about the situation.
1. Jackson Crashed Into a Stop Sign
Here’s the scene of accident outside VMAC
According to the TMZ report, Jackson, who was driving a black Corvette, somehow lost control, hitting a large planter box and a stop sign. Several players and staff stopped to help him get out of the car, and he was eventually taken back to the team facility.
FOX Sports’ Mike Garafolo and the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta both report his injury is not serious:
Fred Jackson is fine after today’s crash, I’m told.
Preliminary indications are that Fred Jackson is okay. Has been confirmed he was driving the car.
2. Clif Avril Calls the Report ‘a Lie’
Per the TMZ report, Lynch was racing Jackson in a red Dodge Charger but was able to drive away from the scene, uninjured. However, while Jackson crashing his car has been confirmed by multiple sources, most are saying that he wasn’t racing and Lynch wasn’t involved.
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril calls the story a lie:
RT @ProFootballTalk Fred Jackson wrecks car in reported drag race with Marshawn Lynch t.co/GzifYz39ZL ➠ that’s a LIE…
All I’m saying is the facts aren’t what they are making them…
CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora also calls TMZ’s report false:
Jackson pulled out of the team facility a little fast – not uncommon – and there is a very tight turn he misjudged. That’s it…
Other players were around as they too were leaving the facility – Lynch among them – but this happened right there and was not drag racing..
And most importantly, the police agree:
UPDATE: Renton police say ‘no evidence’ Seattle Seahawks’ Fred Jackson was drag racing before crash: t.co/Y9iwMK9gBm
3. The Accident Happened Outside the Seahawks’ Practice Facility
This is what appears to be Fred Jackson’s car. With a stop sign implanted into the nose.
The accident happened as Jackson was leaving practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta spotted a street sign that was knocked down during:
Downed street signs.
The VMAC parking turns right onto Seahawks Way, which is a two-lane road. Sports Radio KJR’s Curtis Crabtree noted more details about the location:
The incident happened right in front of the team’s welcome sign. Stop sign housing at bottom.
4. There Was Drag-Racing Controversy When Jackson Was With the Buffalo Bills
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In 2014, Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Marcell Dareus was charged with drag-racing.
It was thought to be a problem throughout the team, as Aaron Williams also posted an Instagram video of a car spinning out along with the caption, “Fred Jackson challenged my bro Michael Griffin for slips. Will he accept it…?”
Jackson and Jerry Hughes proceeded to talk about racing in the comments.
5. Lynch & Jackson Were Teammates in Buffalo
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Although Jackson just signed with the Seahawks this season, his relationship with Lynch goes back several years. The pair of running backs started their careers in Buffalo in 2007, playing together until 2010 when Lynch was traded to Seattle.
Lynch was thought to be a big influence in Jackson making his way to the Seahawks.