18 Oct 1998: A portrait of Michael Jackson #81 of the Baltimore Ravens as he makes a catch during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 16-6.

Former NFL player reportedly killed in tragic motorcycle accident

He was only 48.

Tragic news has struck the NFL, as a TMZ report states that former wide receiver Michael D. Jackson died in a motorcycle accident on Friday morning. Jackson was 48.

From the report:

Officials say Jackson was driving a '13 Kawasaki on US 51 around 1 AM at a "high rate of speed" when a 20-year-old woman backed out of a parking spot and into both lanes of the highway.

The motorcycle crashed into the driver's side door of the car — and the impact was so violent, the bike smashed through the door and killed the driver of the car.

Once a standout at Southern Miss, Jackson played in the NFL for eights seasons between 1991 and 1998, totaling 5,393 total yards and 46 touchdowns in his career. Jackson once led the entire league in receiving touchdowns with 14 in 1996 with the newly-branded Ravens.

After his NFL career, Jackson went into politics, serving as the mayor of Tangipahoa, Louisiana from 2009 to 2013.

We send our thoughts and best wishes to those affected by this tragic accident.