In an emotional farewell filled with tears, memories, and song, the mother of former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy delivered a powerful rendition of “I Will Always Love You” at her son’s funeral over the weekend.
The promising sportsman tragically passed away recently by suicide while facing serious criminal charges.
Kandace Washington, Lacy’s mother, stood before family, friends, and former teammates on Sunday, April 27, to sing the iconic ballad made famous by Whitney Houston, originally written by Dolly Parton.
Her nearly five-minute performance moved many in attendance to tears and served as a deeply personal tribute to her 23-year-old son, who had declared for the 2024 NFL Draft before his death.
A Tragic End to a Promising Career
Lacy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound earlier this month in Spring, Texas. According to authorities, the Louisiana native was involved in a police chase following an incident in which he allegedly discharged a firearm during a dispute with a family member on April 12. Officers attempted to stop Lacy’s vehicle, but he fled and crashed his car after a high-speed pursuit. He was found dead in the driver’s seat.
At the time of his death, Lacy was facing felony charges stemming from a fatal crash on December 17, 2023, in Louisiana that claimed the life of 78-year-old Herman Hall. Lacy was accused of negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless vehicle operation. His attorney, John M. Allen III, strongly denied the allegations, asserting Lacy was “completely innocent” and not responsible for the crash. He claimed Lacy had not fled the scene and was several cars behind the accident.
Heartfelt Tributes from the LSU Family
Lacy’s funeral drew several prominent attendees from the LSU community, including head coach Brian Kelly and former teammates Malik Nabers and Jayden Daniels — both of whom are now in the NFL. Nabers and Daniels presented framed No. 2 jerseys from their respective pro teams, the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, with Lacy’s name emblazoned on the back.
Coach Kelly paid tribute to Lacy, calling him his “wingman.”
“I’m gonna miss having my guy next to me, because he was as emotional as I was,” Kelly said during the service.
The ceremony, which was live-streamed, captured another touching moment when Nabers and Daniels embraced Kandace Washington, offering comfort to a grieving mother who had lost her son under unimaginable circumstances.
A Life Remembered, A Legacy Cut Short
Kyren Lacy had declared for the NFL Draft just two days after the December car crash, believing in a future he would never reach. His case was due to be heard by a grand jury on April 14 — less than 48 hours after his death.
Lacy’s death has sparked renewed discussion around mental health in professional sports and the crushing pressures young athletes often face when navigating legal trouble, public scrutiny, and career uncertainty.
For now, the most haunting memory remains his mother’s voice — unwavering, emotional, and full of love — as she sang goodbye to her only son.
