DJ Hayden Net Worth: DJ Hayden was an NFL player who had an amazing career but tragically died. His career as a cornerback covered four teams, and he survived a life-threatening accident in college. He was also one of six people who died in a car accident in Houston on November 11, 2023.
The following article will talk about DJ Hayden’s contract and salary, as well as how much he was worth before he died. Additionally, we will talk about what he achieved, the problems he faced, and his lasting impact on the football world.
Who is DJ Hayden?
Derek Sherrard Hayden Jr. was an NFL cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks. He was born on June 27, 1990, in Houston, Texas. He died in a car accident in the same city on November 11, 2023. When he passed away, he was only 33 years old.
His college team was the Houston Cougars, and the Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He also played for the Washington Football Team, the Detroit Lions, and the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL.
Brief Information About DJ Hayden
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Derek Sherrard Hayden Jr. |
| Date of Birth | June 27, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas |
| Date of Death | November 11, 2023 |
| Age at Death | 33 |
| Position | NFL Cornerback |
| College Team | Houston Cougars |
| NFL Teams | Oakland Raiders (2013, 2016), Detroit Lions (2017), Jacksonville Jaguars (2018–2020), Washington Football Team (2020) |
| Career Stats | 328 tackles, 4 interceptions, 46 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 touchdowns |
| Notable Awards | C-USA Newcomer of the Year (2011), First-Team All-C-USA (2012) |
| Injury in 2012 | Tore inferior vena cava in the heart during practice; survived through surgery |
| Net Worth at Death | Estimated between $5 million and $7.5 million |
DJ Hayden Career
The Oakland Raiders picked him with the 12th pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. In that draft, he was the first cornerback chosen.
He played for four different NFL teams: the Washington Football Team (2020), the Detroit Lions (2017), the Oakland Raiders (2013), and the Detroit Lions (2016).
In his time in the NFL, he made 328 passes, picked off four passes, deflected 46 others, and forced three fumbles. Additionally, he scored two touchdowns by returning interceptions.
Aside from being named C-USA Newcomer of the Year in 2011, he was also named First-Team All-C-USA in 2012 and Second-Team All-C-USA in 2011. For Navarro College, he also helped them win the NJCAA National Football Championship in 2010.
In 2012, he tore the inferior vena cava in his heart during a practice drill. The injury was so bad that it could have killed him. He miraculously lived through the surgery and got better.
DJ Hayden’s Net Worth
Several sources may use different ways to figure out DJ Hayden’s net worth, so it’s not an exact amount. His net worth was probably between $5 million and $7.5 million at the time of his death, though, based on the search results.
In the NFL, he played for eight years and signed many contracts with four different teams. This is where he made most of his money. His total earnings over the duration of his career were $33.3 million, according to Sportrac.
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DJ Hayden Source of Income
DJ Hayden’s main source of revenue was his NFL career, in which he played for four different teams and earned various contracts. He also made money from partnerships and endorsements, like with Nike and Pepsi.
At one point, he made an average of $6.33 million a year, which made him one of the best-paid cornerbacks in the league. His net worth was also increased by investing in stocks and real estate.
DJ Hayden’s Rise to Fame
DJ Hayden became famous as a football player while he was in college at the University of Houston. He was a great defender, and in 2010, he was named the Conference USA Defensive Newcomer of the Year. The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft because of how well he played.
He played for four different NFL teams: the Oakland Raiders (2013), the Detroit Lions (2016), the Detroit Lions (2017), and the Washington Football Team (2020). His quickness, agility, and skill at reading plays made him famous. In 2012, he recovered from an accident that could have killed him: he tore the inferior vena cava in his heart during a practice drill. He miraculously lived through the surgery and got better.
People will remember him as a skilled athlete who overcame problems and impressed many with his drive and persistence.
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DJ Hayden Signed Contracts
Oakland Raiders
Hayden was chosen by the Oakland Raiders with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. After Dee Milliner, he was the second cornerback selected that year. Hayden was the first Houston defensive player picked in the draft since Wilson Whitley in 1977 until Ed Oliver was picked ninth overall in 2019.
Hayden was hospitalized during the Raiders’ organized team activities (OTAs) because of stomach adhesions from his previous surgery. They were able to be removed.
Hayden signed a four-year, $10.32 million deal with the Oakland Raiders on July 25, 2013. The deal included a $5.88 million signing bonus.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions signed Hayden to a one-year, $3.75 million deal on March 10, 2017. The deal guaranteed $2.25 million and included a $1 million signing bonus.
During training camp, Hayden fought with Nevin Lawson, Teez Tabor, and Quandre Diggs to be the starting cornerback. At the start of the season, the Detroit Lions put him as their third-choice cornerback, after Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Hayden signed a $19 million, three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 14, 2018, with $9.5 million guaranteed.
Hayden was put on the active/physically unable to perform list by the Jaguars on August 1, 2020, at the start of training camp. Three days later, he was moved back to the active squad. He was put on the injured list on October 7, 2020, because he hurt his hamstring in Week 4. He was brought back to the team on November 21, 2020, but three days later, he hurt his hamstring again and was put back on injured reserve.
Washington Commanders
He signed with the Washington Football Team’s practice team on December 18, 2021. Washington signed him to a reserve/future deal on January 19, 2022, but he was let go on April 8, 2022.
What Happened with DJ Hayden?
Police say six people were killed in a two-car crash in downtown Houston early Saturday morning after a driver ran a red light. D.J. Hayden and two of his college friends were among the dead. His friends Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu were among those who died in the crash.
Lauren Robinson-Holliday, a 31-year-old woman, was in the SUV with Hayden, McMillian, and Oragwu. She was the only woman who died in the crash.
Jeffery Lewis, another former Cougar player, was named as the survivor. He was in critical condition with injuries that could kill him. He was in the SUV with Hayden, Zachary McMillian, and Ralph Oragwu, all of whom died in the accident.
The accident happened around 2 a.m. on November 11, 2023, when a Chrysler 300 driver ran a red light and hit the SUV. Four people died when the SUV flipped over. There were two more deaths at the time. Christian Herrera, who was driving the Chrysler 300, was also killed. Another person who died was a homeless man who was sleeping on the sidewalk near the crossing. He was hit by crash debris and killed.
Conclusion
DJ Hayden, an NFL cornerback, was born on June 27, 1990, in Houston, Texas. He played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Oakland Raiders and was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
He played for four different teams, including the Washington Football Team, the Detroit Lions, the Oakland Raiders, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hayden made 328 ends, picked off four passes, deflected 46 others, and forced three fumbles. He was named C-USA Newcomer of the Year in 2011 and First-Team All-C-USA in 2012.