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\"An eighth-grader at Central Junior High, Jaylon—who plays running back, receiver and defensive back—drew national attention when he caught five passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns to help the East team to a victory at the NFL's 8th Grade All-American Game in Canton, Ohio, in August,\" Sports Illustrated wrote in its \"Six Teens Who Will Rule the Future in Sports\" article in November. \"Last year, Jaylon rushed for 1,546 yards and 21 TDs for his youth football team, the East St. Louis Jr. Flyers.\"

\"He hopes to follow in the footsteps of Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson, a star at USC, who is also from the St. Louis suburb of Belleville and also played both ways,\" the article continued.

The NFL star reacted to the news on Twitter.

You Was Next Up and taken too soon! We have to do better.. Rest Easy 🙏🏾 https://t.co/t5r0PC72vr

— Adoree' Jackson (@AdoreeKnows) May 5, 2019

Lawmakers and school officials in the region also expressed condolences.

17 people shot in St. Louis yesterday. Including the devastating loss of one of our brightest young future starts in this city. This city has no value for life. This city eats their young. R.I.P. Young Bull pic.twitter.com/9UjU8A0Men

— Coach Reed (@CoachReed314) May 5, 2019

The senseless killings in our inner-cities across the U.S. has to STOP 🛑 🙏🏽 I’ve known @jaymckenzie06 since he was toddler😭I’m heartbroken 💔SIP son. I love you kids @Football_Flyers #pray4ourkids #pray4estlouis #risingstar⭐️

— Coach Sunk (@DarrenSunkett) May 5, 2019

RIP @jaylon we love you and we gone miss you pic.twitter.com/XY3WYptM12

— ESL Junior Flyers (@EslJrFlyers) May 5, 2019

OTF on me , OTF on 3 ......... OOOOOOOTTTTTTFFFFFF.. just wanna say it one more time with my babybro .. it’s traumatizing , gone live through me forever .. L6VE 🤧#Mybrotherskeeper

— 5IVE (@EstlMaco5) May 5, 2019
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