KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Former defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona has died after being involved in a car accident. He was 26.
Agent Chad Speck said Saturday that Mahelona was involved in an accident about a mile from his home in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Speck did not know any more circumstances of the accident.
Mahelona was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans, where he played in 10 games as a rookie. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins before playing his last NFL game with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.
He is survived by his wife, Brandi, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child.
In two seasons as a Volunteer, he had 77 tackles and seven sacks.
Chazan Page, a 20-year-old football player at Tennessee State University, died in a hit-and-run accident around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
Police say Page was walking when he was struck by a car traveling at a very high speed. He was transported to Skyline Medical Center, where he died.
Page attended Lipscomb Academy in high school and was a Nashville native. He played football all four years of high school, and in college was one of two offensive linemen to play and start in all 11 games, according to TSU’s website. He played alongside his brother, Chandon, a defensive lineman, in all four of his seasons.
In a post from TSU, Director of Athletics Mikki Allen shared condolences.
“He helped bring out the best in others with his outstanding leadership on and off the field, positive attitude, and genuine care for the people around him. It is extremely difficult to lose a member of our athletics family, and we mourn the loss of Chazan,” Allen said.
Police are working to identify the car that struck Page — they say it is either a red sedan or a small SUV, and it will have significant front-end damage.
