Mahomes pays tribute to his former teammate after retirement announcement: “He was more than just a teammate!”

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”