KYREN LACY, LSU STAR AND NFL PROSPECT, LOST AFTER POLICE PURSUIT
Ajay Allen - April 14, 2025
Kyren Lacy, the 24 year old former LSU wide receiver who was preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft, died by suicide on April 12, 2025, following a police pursuit near Houston, Texas. Authorities in Harris County reported that Lacy sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to crashing his vehicle into a highway median. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His father, Kenny Lacy, confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, writing: “Kyren was a good soul, my son, my pride. I ask everyone to keep our family in prayer and hold their loved ones close. Mental health is real, and silence can be deadly.” Kenny’s message, though heavy with grief, carried an urgent plea for compassion, healing, and conversation.
Lacy’s death came just two weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft, where he was expected to be a mid-to-late round selection. He had recently completed LSU’s Pro Day, where scouts from multiple NFL teams were in attendance. He looked sharp — strong hands, clean routes, and a quiet focus. Many believed he would find a home on an NFL roster, with whispers from league insiders suggesting he had the grit and character teams look for in a developmental receiver. But behind the hopeful headlines and stat sheets was a young man who had been battling more than most knew.
Lacy had recently been facing legal issues stemming from a tragic car accident that occurred in December 2024. According to Louisiana authorities, he was involved in a fatal hit-and-run that took the life of a former U.S. Marine. He was charged in January with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless driving. Despite the seriousness of the charges, Lacy remained free on bail and was awaiting a grand jury hearing scheduled for April 14 — just two days after his death.
While the legal process had yet to unfold, the pressure weighed heavily on him. Friends and teammates noticed a change — fewer smiles, more time alone, a heaviness in his presence. Still, he showed up to workouts, stayed close to the game he loved, and worked as if he were chasing a future that still felt within reach.
The events that led to Saturday’s tragedy began during what police described as a “domestic incident” at a family home near Houston. Lacy allegedly discharged a firearm during an argument and fled in his car, which initiated a brief but tense police pursuit. Authorities say he shot himself before losing control of the vehicle.As investigations continue, there are still more questions than answers. An autopsy will be performed by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
In the days since his passing, tributes have poured in from across the sports world. LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly released a statement: “Kyren was one of the hardest-working, most dedicated players I’ve ever coached. But more than that, he was a good young man — thoughtful, driven, and full of heart. We are devastated, and we are lifting his family in prayer.”Teammates remembered him as the glue of the locker room — not loud, but always present. “He didn’t need to say much,” former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels said. “He had this calm energy that made you feel safe, like he believed in you even when you didn’t believe in yourself.”
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who has been an outspoken advocate for mental health, shared his condolences and encouraged young athletes to reach out and check in with one another. “We’ve got to talk. We’ve got to be there. Too many of us are hurting in silence,” he posted.
For the city of Thibodaux, Louisiana — where Lacy grew up and first learned to catch passes in the backyard, the pain is personal. He was a hometown hero, someone who beat the odds to play on one of the biggest stages in college football. “Kyren always made us proud,” said his former high school coach, Chris Dugas. “Even when he left for LSU, he never forgot where he came from. He was proof that a kid from Thibodaux could dream big.” That dream was supposed to carry him to the NFL. He had already proven he could compete with the best. But no one could have known the internal storm he was facing.
Mental health advocates and athletes alike are now calling for broader support systems, particularly for young men of color navigating the pressures of fame, family, expectations, and legal struggles. Kyren’s story has become a sobering reminder that achievement doesn’t erase pain and that even our strongest need somewhere to turn.
As the LSU family, his hometown, and the wider football world grieve this tragic loss, they do so not just remembering the athlete, but the man. A man who loved the game. Who gave everything he had. Who needed help and didn’t know how to ask. Kyren Lacy is gone, but his legacy and the conversations he’s now started, will live on.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, help is available. Please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor. The Field Rush wants you to know that you are not alone.
