San José State Football Legend and Former Bucs Practice Squad Member Tragically Dies in Traffic Accident

Chandler Jones, once a student and star football player at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance who proceeded to San José State and still holds records as a wide receiver, was hit and killed by a vehicle on Sunday, according to several media outlets.

The 33-year-old native of Los Angeles was pronounced dead after reportedly being struck by a driver in a Toyota RAV4 around 2 a.m. near the Centinela Avenue off-ramp on the eastbound 90 Freeway, California Highway Patrol officials told MyNewsLA.

The full details of the incident have yet to be shared, but one source described it as a “vehicle-pedestrian collision.”

“Forever in our hearts, #89,” officials with the San José State football program posted to X, formerly Twitter, Monday afternoon. “In loving memory of Spartan wide receiver and coach, Chandler Jones.”

“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of alum, Chandler Jones ‘09,” Bishop Montgomery High School said in a post to Facebook. “Jones was a standout player on Bishop’s football team and still holds the record for longest kick-off return (97 yards) and longest fumble recovery (98 yards).”

An honorable mention All-American wide receiver, Jones also continues to hold several San José State football program records, including the Spartans’ career leader in catches and receiving touchdowns, CBS Sports reported.

Jones made it to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns practice squads in 2014 before moving to the Canadian Football League where he was on the practice squad for the Montreal Alouettes and, in 2016, joined the team’s active roster.

He made his way back to SJSU and worked on the coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2017 and in 2023 and 2024, returned to the Alouettes as an assistant defensive backs coach.

“My heart is broken at the news of losing this incredible person,” former SJSU coach Brent Brennan told CBS Sports. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. From his freshman year as a WR to coaching on our staff, he made [SJSU football] better every day. The Jet was special. Love you brother.”

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