Louisiana wide receiver Michael Jefferson, an NFL draft prospect who was seriously injured in a car accident on April 9 and required multiple surgeries, was released from the hospital on Wednesday.
Police said Jefferson was hit head-on by an impaired driver, 55-year-old Michael Dunn, and then hit by a third car in Mobile County, Alabama. Dunn died at the scene.
Considered before the accident as a potential middle-round pick in the NFL draft on April 27-29 in Kansas City, Jefferson is expected to miss the 2023 season but could play in 2024. Attorney Brad Sohn released a statement to ESPN on Wednesday on behalf of Jefferson and his family.
“A drunk driver tragically hit my client, Michael Jefferson, on Easter night,” Sohn wrote. “Michael 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 a grueling rehabilitation — he can have an outstanding NFL career. We believe that optimism is well-founded and hope a team still will select this terrific young man and great football player. Finally, we’d also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that, in today’s age of Uber and Lyft, there is absolutely no reason to drive impaired.”
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Jefferson had 51 receptions for 810 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. He caught 29 total touchdowns in his college career, which included three seasons at Alabama State and the past two for Louisiana.
Jefferson was invited to the Scouting Combine in February and ran a 4.56-second time in the 40-yard dash with a 37-inch vertical.
–Field Level Media