Former San Jose State running back DeJon Packer dies at 24

Packer played running back for the San Jose State Spartans before joining the local police force.

San Jose State football is mourning the death of a former player. Former Spartans running back DeJon Packer has died at the age of 24, the school announced.

Packer, who served as a police officer in San Jose following his college football career, was found dead in his home last weekend, according to a report from ABC7. No cause of death was determined and authorities are investigating his death.

San Jose State football announced Packers' death on social media, and the team offered its condolences and well wishes to Packers' family and friends.

We are deeply saddened by the news of DeJon Packer. The San José State Football family has suffered a great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with DeJon’s family & friends.

Forever a Spartan. pic.twitter.com/Vyh8frZVAU

— San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) March 14, 2022

"We are deeply saddened by the news of DeJon Packer," the football program said in the statement. "The San Jose State Football family has suffered a great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with DeJon's family and friends. Forever a Spartan."

San Jose State coach Brent Brennan said he will remember Packer as a friend and leader of his teammates on and off the football field.

"On the football field, he was fantastic," Brennan said. "He was a guy that walked on here from San Jose City College and earned a scholarship. He was always on the 3.0 wall. He did everything right all the time."

Packer played for San Jose State from 2017 to 2019. In his final season, Packer rushed 126 times for 567 yards and 11 touchdowns. He caught 27 passes for 270 yards and another TD that year.

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