Just days after 14-year-old football phenom, Jaylon McKenzie was struck and killed by a stray bullet outside a party in Illinois, NFL star Ezekiel Elliott has vowed to cover funeral expenses of the slain football prodigy.
According to multiple reports, upon learning the news of the Belleville native, Elliott, who is from Alton, felt compelled to help the McKenzie family. In response, McKenzie’s mother, Sukeena Gunner expressed her gratitude and shared her son’s love for the Dallas Cowboy.
“Jaylen loved Ezekiel Elliott,” Sukeena told the Belleville News-Democrat. “He talked about him all the time. When Ezekiel was playing, he would sit in front of the TV. His eyes were glued to the TV, watching him.”
When asked about Zeke’s offer to help the family out, Gunner “burst into tears,” saying, “Just for him to reach out to me and help me in this difficult time leaves me speechless.”
McKenzie was an 8th-grader, who had already secured scholarship offers from two schools for his skill. He was even featured in Sports Illustrated’s Future issue before he was struck by a stray bullet as he left a party on Saturday night.
Rest in peace, Jaylon.
