Colts Owner To Pay For Atlanta Player's Funeral

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts will pay for the funeral of Edwin Jackson, the Colts linebacker and Atlanta native who was killed Sunday morning in a drunk-driving crash.

Jim Irsay also says he will pay funeral expenses for Jeffrey Monroe, the Uber driver who had gotten out of his car with Jackson alongside Interstate 70 in Indiana after the 26-year-old player became ill. Both men were struck and killed by Manuel Orrego-Savala, 37, who was driving drunk and in the country illegally, according to state police.

The Colts confirmed Tuesday that Irsay plans to cover all expenses for both funerals. Details on funeral services for Jackson had not been publicly announced as of Wednesday morning.

NFL Player From Atlanta Killed In Drunk-Driving Crash

Nicknamed "Pound Cake" because of the tasty dessert his mother made and which he freely shared with teammates, coaches and others, Jackson, 26, was remembered fondly this week as a hard worker and natural leader.

"Our hearts and prayers are with Edwin Jackson's family," Irsay tweeted on Sunday. "Terrific young man, respected and liked by all. Rest In Peace, Edwin."

A standout football player and wrestler at Westlake High School in Atlanta, he received no scholarship offers and instead walked on at Georgia Southern, where he would end up leading the team in tackles his junior and senior years. He was not drafted by an NFL team, either, but signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals before moving to the Colts.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump weighed in on Jackson's death in a tweet pushing his agenda regarding illegal immigration. Orrego-Savala is in the U.S. illegally and had been deported twice, according to Indiana State Police.

"So disgraceful that a person illegally in our country killed @Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson," Trump wrote on Twitter. "This is just one of many such preventable tragedies. We must get the Dems to get tough on the Border, and with illegal immigration, FAST!"

Trump Weighs In On Death Of NFL Player From Atlanta

Many, including Jackson's roommate, responded saying that the well-loved player would not have wanted his death to be politicized.

"Absolutely not. He would not want that," Chad Bouchez told told CBS News. "I don't think Edwin would have judged anyone on where they were from or anything else."

Photo credit: Darron Cummings/Associated Press