Former Cowboys, Patriots receiver Terry Glenn dies after crash

Former NFL wide receiver Terry Glenn died after a car crash early Monday morning, the Dallas County medical examiner's office confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

Glenn, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, was 43.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, the Irving police department said the car Glenn was driving struck a concrete barrier on Highway 114 at 12:18 a.m. Monday. Glenn was transported to Parkland Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, while a passenger in the car suffered minor injuries, according to police.

Chelsey Jones, a police spokeswoman, told The Associated Press that the passenger was Glenn's fiancee but declined to name her. Jones also said Glenn was ejected from the car as a result of the crash.

The Irving police department said it still is investigating the cause of the accident. The medical examiner's office said it was unable to provide further details on Glenn's death. 

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An Ohio native and Ohio State product, Glenn was drafted by the Patriots in the first round in 1996 and was selected to the Pro Bowl three years later. He was traded to the Packers in 2002, then to the Cowboys one year later.

"Terry was someone that we all enjoyed very much in his time with the Cowboys," owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "He was a gentle and kind hearted young man. We are all terribly saddened by this news of his passing. Too young and too soon."

Glenn, who was released by the Cowboys in 2008, finished with 593 catches for 8,823 yards and 44 touchdowns in his NFL career.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was an assistant coach with the team when Glenn was drafted and coached him again when he returned as head coach in 2000. In a conference call with reporters Monday, Belichick said he and Glenn were "pretty close."

"Terry was a very smart individual, had obviously a lot of physical skill and talent, could do a lot of things on the football field very naturally," Belichick said. "I think he was deep down inside a good person with good intentions and a good heart. Obviously, it's a very unfortunate passing. I mean it's a sad day. Sad news."

The Patriots also released a statement Monday acknowledging Glenn's death.

"We were shocked and deeply saddened by today's news that Terry Glenn died in an auto accident," team chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in part of the statement. "Terry was one of the most gifted receivers we have ever had."

Glenn's agent, Jimmy Gould, told ESPN in a statement that "Terry was like a son to me" and "not only a truly gifted athlete, but a remarkable young man who fought courageously against adversity from a young age to raise a family and help others."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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