MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Former Louisiana-Lafayette wide receiver and NFL prospect Michael Jefferson has been released from the hospital after his involvement in a car accident earlier this month in which a 55-year-old was killed.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Jefferson attorney Brad Sohn said Thursday that the NFL hopeful “would not have made it this far without being a fighter and remains in good spirits under the circumstances.”
“He still has optimism that — even as he continues to undergo grueling rehabilitation — he can have an outstanding NFL career,” Sohn’s statement said. “We believe that optimism is well-founded and hope a team will still select this terrific young man and great football player.”
At about 7:55 p.m. on April 9, Easter Sunday, a car driven by Charles A. Dunn collided head-on with a 2014 Dodge Charger driven by Jefferson, 23. Another vehicle then struck Dunn’s car. Dunn was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sohn said that “a drunk driver tragically hit my client.”
Asked if there was any evidence that Dunn was impaired at the time, a spokesperson with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the agency had no further comment on the crash.
Jefferson played the last two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette after transferring from Alabama State. He finished with his best season, catching 51 passes for 810 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jefferson has been projected as a potential late-round pick in the draft starting April 27.