Recently, SM reported that the Chicago Bears were interested in LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy. His mix of size, strength, and after-the-catch ability had the intrigue of head coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles. There was one problem. Lacy was facing criminal charges for negligent homicide due to a hit-and-run incident where a 78-year-old former U.S. Marine died. NFL teams would have to wait and see how the legal process played out. If it seemed like he'd avoid jail time, there was a good chance he'd get drafted late or be a priority undrafted free agency.
Sadly, it will never reach that point. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN and other outlets, Lacy passed away this week at the age of 24. Details reveal a young man going through a mental health crisis. He fired a gun during a family dispute before fleeing the scene. Police pursued him, resulting in a crash. Before they had a chance to put him in custody, however, Lacy turned the gun on himself. It was the absolute worst-case scenario for a young man who looked like he had a bright future in the NFL.
Former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy, who was found dead Saturday night in Houston, died in an apparent suicide in his car while being pursued by authorities, according to a Harris County (Texas) sheriff's report released Sunday.
According to Harris County authorities, police responded to a call from a female family member who said Lacy had discharged a firearm into the ground during a verbal argument late Saturday night. When they arrived on the scene, they learned that the suspect, Lacy, had fled in a vehicle.
Authorities say their pursuit of Lacy ended when he crashed. They say that when officers approached the vehicle to extract Lacy, he had died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Chicago Bears and other teams get a stark wake-up call.
This is why mental health has become such a focus for organizations in recent years. It isn't just about working hard to improve the body anymore. Many teams employ psychologists to help athletes cope with the stress of their jobs. One can only wonder why Lacy didn't seek help when he was clearly distressed. His own father admitted he and his wife hadn't seen the signs of a breakdown until it was too late. It would've been exciting to see him in a Chicago Bears uniform if things had been different. The talent was always there. Life tragically took a turn he wasn't expecting. It is sad he wasn't able to cope with it. The story is all too familiar for many around the world.
