Former Sandalwood Football Star Chris Payton-Jones Dies in Auto Accident

Tributes pour in for the 30-year-old who found success as a content creator after his NFL career

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:03pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player in mid-motion, broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy, green, and orange, representing the complex and impactful life of Chris Payton-Jones.The vibrant and multifaceted legacy of Chris Payton-Jones, who excelled both on the football field and as a mentor and content creator in his Jacksonville community.Today in Jacksonville

Chris Payton-Jones, a former football standout at Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville who went on to play in the NFL and later became a successful content creator, has passed away in an auto accident at the age of 30. Payton-Jones was remembered by friends, coaches, and the community for his exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and dedication to mentoring young athletes.

Why it matters

Payton-Jones' passing is a tragic loss for the Jacksonville community, where he had returned after his professional football career to become a mentor and content creator, using his platform to give back and inspire the next generation of athletes and media professionals.

The details

Payton-Jones was a three-star prospect at cornerback who graduated from Sandalwood High School in 2014. He went on to play four seasons at the University of Nebraska, earning his degree in just three and a half years before embarking on a professional football career. Payton-Jones spent time with several NFL teams between 2018-2021, starting six games and playing in 29. Even after his NFL career, he continued playing in the XFL and UFL. In recent years, Payton-Jones had transitioned into the content creation industry, building his brand 'Flashflix' into a local media powerhouse with over 1.3 million YouTube views in a year and a half. He was a constant presence on high school football sidelines, mentoring aspiring videographers and young athletes.

  • Payton-Jones passed away in an auto accident on Saturday night, April 11, 2026.
  • Payton-Jones graduated from Sandalwood High School in 2014.

The players

Chris Payton-Jones

A former football star at Sandalwood High School who went on to play professionally and later returned to Jacksonville to become a mentor and successful content creator.

Adam Geis

Payton-Jones' high school coach at Sandalwood, who described him as 'one of my all-time favorites' and praised his work ethic and positive attitude.

Pat Clark

Payton-Jones' former coach at Sandalwood, who said he was the 'hardest working human being' he had ever been around and that Payton-Jones was 'going to make his biggest impact off the field' in media and mentoring young athletes.

James Coleman

A former fullback at Florida State who has transitioned into media, business, and coaching, and described Payton-Jones as 'a more genuine guy who has a big heart for kids in this community' and 'a positive role model in action, not choice.'

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What they’re saying

“He was one of my all-time favorites! The kid never missed a workout, never missed practice, and never wanted to come off the field. Everyone loved him.”

— Adam Geis, Sandalwood High School Coach

“Chris was the hardest working human being I've ever been around, a great player but even better person. He was never the biggest or fastest, but he did things the right way, and the game paid him back for it.”

— Pat Clark, Associate Head Coach, Central State University

“I've trained him and worked with him. I've never been around a more genuine guy who has a big heart for kids in this community. Just a positive role model in action, not choice.”

— James Coleman, Former Florida State Fullback

What’s next

Payton-Jones' family and the Sandalwood High School community are planning a memorial service to celebrate his life and legacy.

The takeaway

Chris Payton-Jones' passing is a profound loss for the Jacksonville community, where he had returned after his professional football career to become a mentor and content creator, using his platform to give back and inspire the next generation of athletes and media professionals. His exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and dedication to helping others will be long remembered.