The former NFL star and ESPN shared the news on social media on Monday, March 15.
What We Know:
- Keyshawn Johnson stated on his Instagram page that his eldest daughter, Maia Johnson, suddenly passed away. In his post, he mentions that she was the joy of his and first wife Shikiri Hightower’s life. “She came into our lives just as we were both coming of age as adults and has been a constant beloved presence for both of us,” Keyshawn said.
- Hightower also paid tribute to Maia through the years on her Instagram Stories. Maia was one of two children Hightower has with Keyshawn. Her other child, Keyshawn Jr., is 22. Keyshawn and Hightower were married from 1998 until 2002. Since then, he has married Jennifer Conrad and has three other children, London, Vance, and Shyla.
- After breaking the news, stars and fans hurried to social media to express their sympathies. Keyshawn’s ESPN colleague Louis Riddick tweeted he was sorry for Keyshawn’s loss, and that he and his family were sending their condolences. One fan said he understood the pain of losing a child. Another stated that no parents should have to bury their child. ESPN also sent their support to Keyshawn.
“Our thoughts are with Keyshawn and his family as they deal with this unthinkable tragedy. He has the full support of his ESPN family,” they said in a statement.
- Keyshawn was the No.1 overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. He was attending the University of Southern California (USC) at the time. After being drafted, he played for 11 years and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After retiring in 2007, he began working for ESPN as a commentator. He also hosts “Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin” with Jay Williams and Zubin Mehenti on ESPN Radio.
As of right now, no cause of death has been announced. Keyshawn has asked his followers to give the family privacy while they cope with the loss.
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