FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Elijah Riley's journey back home — and through the NFL — began with one of the saddest moments of his young life.
The New York Jets safety was a freshman defensive back at Army five years ago when he received the stunning news his teammate and buddy Brandon Jackson had died.
“He's still kind of a motivation for me, and I hold him near and dear to me,” Riley said Wednesday. “That’s my guy.”
Jackson died in a single-car accident in Croton, New York, on Sept. 11, 2016, just a few hours after helping the Black Knights beat Rice in their second game of the season.