Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent is facing a manslaughter charge after a one-vehicle accident that killed linebacker Jerry Brown, a member of the team's practice squad.
Irving, Tex., police spokesman John Argumaniz said the crash happened at 2:20 a.m. Saturday, just hours before Brent was to fly with the team to Cincinnati to face the Bengals.
The 25-year-old Jerry Brown - a practice-squad linebacker who also was Brent's teammate for three seasons at the University of Illinois - was pronounced dead at a hospital.
"I am devastated and filled with grief,'' Josh Brent said in a statement.
"Filled with grief for the loss of my close friend and teammate, Jerry Brown. I am also grief-stricken for his family, friends and all who were blessed enough to have known him."
"I will live with this horrific and tragic loss every day for the rest of my life," he added. "My prayers are with his family, our teammates and his friends at this time.''
It marked the second tragedy in as many weekends for the NFL.
Last Saturday, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend before killing himself in front of his coach and general manager.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown,'' Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement yesterday.
"At this time, our hearts and prayers and deepest sympathies are with the members of Jerry's family and all of those who knew him and loved him."