NFL Under Fire After Agent Blames League for Kyren Lacy’s Death

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The football world is reeling after the death of former LSU Tigers wide receiver Kyren Lacy, and his agent, Rocky Arceneaux, is calling out the NFL in a statement that leaves no room for sugarcoating. Lacy, only 24, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Saturday following a police chase in Texas.

Arceneaux’s words were pointed, accusing the league of revoking Lacy’s Combine invite "without acknowledgment or consideration of the facts." He painted a picture of a young man full of infectious energy and dedication, whose dreams were cut short not just by tragedy, but by a system he claims failed him. "His family was his everything," Arceneaux wrote, describing how football was meant to be Lacy’s way to provide for them.

The NFL was not the only target—Arceneaux also criticized the investigating agency, alleging more concern over public perception than a fair inquiry. According to Lacy’s attorney, there was a strong chance the negligent homicide charge from a December car crash (which killed 78-year-old Herman Hall) would have been dismissed by a grand jury just days after Lacy’s death.

Lacy had been facing several charges: negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless driving. Authorities said he sped, passed dangerously, and left the scene of the accident. The case was set to go to a grand jury on Monday, but Lacy never got his day in court.

Arceneaux said, "Kyren was heartbroken by the tragic loss of Mr. Hall. He was willing to adhere to any civil matters, regardless of the Grand Jury's decision. That aside, the system failed us, and we are now mourning the loss of two lives."

Lacy’s football future had seemed bright—he declared for the NFL Draft after leading LSU in touchdown receptions last season. But after the accident, his draft stock nosedived. Arceneaux lamented the "pressure, public perception, [and] social media bullying" that he believes weighed heavily on Lacy, all "without having the facts."

On the night of his death, Lacy led law enforcement on a chase in Texas. After crashing his car, deputies discovered he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

It’s a story that’s devastating on so many levels, not least because it shows how quickly a promising life can unravel when support systems falter. The agent’s statement is a stinging reminder of how high the stakes are for young athletes—and how unforgiving the spotlight can be when it turns harsh.