LSU head coach Brian Kelly shared his thoughts on former Tigers star Kyre Lacy while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
Lacy, who was a standout in an LSU uniform last season as he led the program in touchdowns, had a rough few months that ended in him taking his own life this past weekend. The deceased player was due for a court hearing on Monday and reportedly shot himself while being chased by police in Houston on Saturday night.
Tipped to follow former star teammates Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers into the NFL as a first-round pick in 2025, Lacy fell afoul of the law after a hit-and-run accident in December that left an elderly man dead and two others injured.
However, Kelly says he will remember him as someone with an “incredible personality” following the sad news of his passing.
LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke out for the first time following the tragic death of his former player Kyren Lacy … remembering the wide receiver as a "bright star" and a good person. 💔 https://t.co/pbu7pPUdBo
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) April 15, 2025
🎥: LSU Tigers pic.twitter.com/qCeQhHt9DG
“Kyren was a bright star,” Kelly said after telling reporters his team would be unavailable until later in the week as they’re still processing the heartbreak.
“He had an incredible personality. I’ll remember him as somebody that had a love for the game, a love for being a Tiger, and was a guy that played with great emotion,” he added.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NCAA stories via Google! Follow Us
Kelly said that memories of Kyren should prompt smiles because of the way he handled himself.
“When you think of Kyren, you’re going to smile most of the time because of the way he handled himself. He was a guy that was full of energy. And I think a lot of his teammates will remember him that way, as well.”
Kyren Lacy’s Death Isn’t A First For Brian Kelly
The head coach noted that he’s been on guard for situations such as this one, as Kyren’s death was not a first for him as far as similar events go, although he did not get into specifics.
“Unfortunately in my career, this is not the first time that this has happened,” he claimed.
“Mental health is one of the facets of player development that you’re working with in my field. And unfortunately, it’s happened before, and I never take a situation like this as one that could never happen. You’re always on guard for it.”
Lacy was out on a $151,000 bond after his arrest for the accident in January and had been charged with negligent homicide, felony hit and run, and reckless driving.
His death has cast a dark cloud over the football community, with former teammates and friends all left broken over his demise.
