Chiefs Safety Faces Family Tragedy During Bye Week as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks is mourning a heartbreaking loss during the team’s bye week, following the tragic death of his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected, military-trained skydiving instructor known in the community as “Spidey.”
Fuller, 35, was killed in a tandem skydiving accident near Nashville over the weekend after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was rescued by firefighters.
Authorities confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered from a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department praised its rescue teams for carrying out “one of the most complex high-angle operations in years.”
Fuller had completed over 5,000 jumps, trained U.S. military personnel, and was admired for his precision and leadership in the skydiving community. Friends remembered him as “fearless, disciplined, and devoted to helping others fly.”
Hicks, whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up closely connected to his cousin — often crediting him for shaping his mindset on focus and accountability both on and off the field.
A family member told local media, “Justin taught Jaden that real courage isn’t about taking risks — it’s about discipline, service, and heart. That’s how he lived, and that’s what Jaden carries into every game.”
Hicks, a product of Washington State, has quietly carved out a key role in Kansas City's defense this season - playing approximately 42% of defensive snaps, recording 10 solo tackles through 5 weeks, earning a PFF grade of 57.9, and adding one tackle on special teams. có đúng thông tin không
The Chiefs, currently on their bye week, have granted Hicks time to be with his family. Teammates and coaches are said to be offering full support during this difficult period.
The FAA has opened an investigation into the accident, as tributes to Fuller — under his nickname “Spidey” — continue to flood social media from military peers, skydivers, and fans nationwide.
“He taught others to fly — now he’s flying higher than all of us,” one tribute read.
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