National Football League

Grandmother of Packers defensive lineman Jerel Worthy dies from gunshot

Published May. 30, 2014 2:30 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

One day after she was shot in the head, the grandmother of Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Jerel Worthy has died.

ABC 22 in Huber Heights, Ohio reported on Thursday that Mae Worthy had been shot in the head accidentally. On Friday, WHIO reported the wound she suffered was fatal.

Jerel Worthy was absent from the Packers' offseason training activities to deal with the tragic situation.

"I would like to thank everyone for your prayers n support," he posted on Twitter. "My family was truly grateful to spend the time we had with such an amazing woman. She will forever be remember by the countless lives that she has touched. We ask for your respect in our time of grieving."

According to WHIO, Jerel Worthy's grandfather (Mae's husband) accidentally fired the weapon.

"It went through the bedroom wall, down into the opposite end of the house and it just happened to strike her while she was sitting on the couch," Huber Heights police Lt. Matt Dulaney told WHIO. "The evidence is in line with his story as to what he's telling us . . . (Detectives and evidence crews) have done a thorough investigation and the preliminary investigation reveals that it does appear that it is an accidental shooting."

The Packers did not comment on Worthy's absence Thursday. Worthy's jersey remained in his locker all day, likely indicating that he found out about the incident before arriving to Thursday morning's offseason practice.

Worthy is entering his third season with the Packers. A second-round pick (No. 51 overall) in 2012, he played in 14 games as a rookie and had 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks before tearing his ACL in the final regular-season game. He played in just two games in 2013.

Follow Paul Imig on Twitter

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League