There are moments when football recedes into silence. On a winter afternoon in Indianapolis, a holiday outing ended in tragedy after a two-vehicle collision involving four children, leaving one dead and three seriously injured. Within hours, the shock reached an NFL locker room, forcing a Super Bowl champion to put everything aside and choose family over the season.
Just one hour after receiving the call, Eli Ricks made the hardest decision of his life. The Philadelphia Eagles cornerback was granted a leave for the remainder of 2025, stepping away immediately to be with loved ones as grief overtook competition and schedules ceased to matter.
The crash occurred around 4:44 p.m. Tuesday at East 34th Street and North Keystone Avenue on Indianapolis’ northeast side. Authorities confirmed two vehicles were involved, four children were hospitalized, and by early evening one child had died from injuries. The remaining three continue receiving treatment, with officials withholding further medical specifics.
Family sources confirmed two of the children were Ricks’ younger siblings, while the other two were children of his maternal aunt. The group had been together enjoying the Christmas break. The child who passed away was Ricks’ brother—a loss that transformed a routine holiday afternoon into an irreversible turning point for the entire family.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers secured the scene for hours, reopening the intersection later that night. All drivers remained and cooperated fully, with no indication of a hit-and-run or adult fatalities. Investigators have not announced fault, weather factors, speed, or impairment, noting the inquiry remains active.
Ricks, 23, immediately notified the Eagles organization after receiving the call. Within an hour, the team cleared him to leave and be with his family, placing football entirely aside as grief overtook competition.
“Eli didn’t hesitate,” a team source said. “There was no discussion about football. This was about family, period.”
The timing is especially difficult for Philadelphia. The Eagles are deep in the postseason race, and Ricks had recently carved out a meaningful role in the secondary after overcoming injuries earlier in the year. A former five-star recruit, his journey to becoming a Super Bowl champion had already tested his resilience—but nothing compares to this moment.
Head coach Nick Sirianni and several teammates privately reached out Tuesday night, offering support and space. No timetable has been set for Ricks’ return, and the organization has made clear that his roster status will remain protected while he grieves.
Before tragedy intervened, Ricks had quietly built trust within the building. In limited but important snaps, he added depth to the secondary, contributed on special teams, and earned respect through preparation and perseverance. Being part of a Super Bowl-winning culture marked momentum now paused by forces far beyond the game.
There has been no public statement from Ricks or his family as of Wednesday morning. Those close to him say his focus is solely on supporting his parents and being present for the three hospitalized children.
In a league defined by toughness, speed, and sacrifice, moments like this cut through the noise. Championships, snaps, and standings fade into the background.
Inside the building, the response has been unanimous. The Eagles speak often about family—and now the words carry weight. As the season continues without him, Philadelphia plays on with him in spirit, understanding that some absences are acts of love, and some losses matter more than wins.
For Eli Ricks, the season ended not with a whistle—but with a phone call that changed everything.
