Steelers Rookie QB Will Howard Reveals Heartbreaking Private Texts from Late LSU Star Kyren Lacy Amidst New Evidence of Innocence

Pittsburgh, PA – In a poignant revelation that has reignited national conversations about mental health, media scrutiny, and the unforgiving spotlight of the NFL draft process, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard has shared deeply personal text messages from the late Kyren Lacy. The exchanges, disclosed on October 7, 2025, expose the raw anguish of a rising star crumbling under relentless public pressure, just months before Lacy’s tragic death by apparent suicide in April.

Howard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and emerging backup to veteran Aaron Rodgers, described the messages as a “gut punch” that haunted him through training camp. The texts, exchanged in early 2025, capture Lacy’s desperate pleas to “clear my name” and his spiraling despair over felony charges tied to a fatal car crash that new evidence suggests he did not cause. As the NFL world grapples with Lacy’s story, Howard’s decision to go public underscores a call for compassion in the high-stakes arena of professional football.

The Texts That Laid Bare a Star’s Breaking Point

The private messages, first revealed during an emotional interview on The Pivot Podcast on October 7, paint a vivid picture of Lacy’s internal battle. Howard and Lacy, both Louisiana natives who crossed paths at NFL draft events, bonded over shared dreams of gridiron glory. Lacy, the explosive LSU wide receiver who led the SEC with nine touchdown catches in 2024, turned to Howard in January 2025 as his world unraveled.

In one exchange dated January 15, Lacy wrote: “Man, this pressure is killing me inside. They got me painted as a monster, but I swear I didn’t cause that crash. Just want to play ball and make my family proud. How do I fight this without breaking?” Howard responded with encouragement: “Hold tight, bro. Truth comes out. We’re in this together – Steelers or Saints, doesn’t matter. Faith high, always here.”

Later texts grew more frantic. On February 10, amid reports of his NFL Scouting Combine invite being revoked, Lacy messaged: “Woke up in cold sweats again. Fans calling me a killer online, sponsors ghosting. Feels like the world’s tearing me apart piece by piece. Need this cleared before I lose it all.” Howard, then preparing for his own pro day, replied: “Breathe, Kyren. You’re the same dude who torched defenses at LSU. We’ll get through – hit me anytime.”

The exchanges culminated in a March 5 message from Lacy: “Pain’s too much, Will. Confusion everywhere. If I don’t make it, tell ’em I fought.” Howard, visibly choked up in the podcast retelling, said he urged Lacy to seek counseling but never imagined the depth of his despair. “Those words hit different now,” Howard admitted. “He was pleading for someone to believe him, and the world turned its back too soon.”

The disclosure has amassed over 2 million views on social media, with #JusticeForKyren trending alongside #MentalHealthMatters. Steelers fans, already rallying around their rookie QB’s maturity, have flooded Howard’s X account with messages of support.

The Scandal That Shattered Dreams: From LSU Stardom to Felony Charges

Kyren Lacy’s meteoric rise at LSU – where he amassed 162 catches, 2,360 yards, and 26 touchdowns over five college seasons – positioned him as a first-round lock for the 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him as high as No. 6 among wideouts. But on December 17, 2024, a tragic highway crash in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, changed everything.

The incident claimed the life of 78-year-old Herman Hall, a former Marine, and injured two others. Louisiana State Police accused Lacy of recklessly passing multiple vehicles in a no-passing zone at high speed, forcing a head-on collision before fleeing the scene. Charged in January 2025 with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless operation, Lacy declared for the draft days later, insisting on his innocence.

The fallout was swift and brutal. Mock drafts evaporated; the NFL withdrew his Combine invitation, citing “ongoing legal matters.” Media headlines branded him a “fugitive prospect,” and social media amplified unverified claims, drawing comparisons to past scandals like those involving Deshaun Watson or Johnny Manziel. Lacy’s agent, Rocky Arceneaux, lambasted the league in April: “Shame on the NFL for judging prematurely – this was a witch hunt without due process.”

Lacy’s death on April 12, 2025, in Houston – ruled a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase – came just two days before a grand jury review. Tributes poured in from LSU coach Brian Kelly and NFL stars like Detroit Lions CB Amik Robertson, who shared his own supportive texts, echoing themes of faith and forgiveness.

Bombshell Evidence Emerges: A Crash Lacy Never Caused?

Fast-forward to October 2025: Lacy’s attorney, Matthew Ory, dropped a bombshell on HTV-10, releasing surveillance footage and a Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s report that exonerate the late receiver. The video, from a nearby gas station, shows Lacy’s green Dodge Charger arriving after the collision – over 72 yards behind the wreckage at the moment of impact.

“We know Kyren passed four cars further north – no dispute there,” Ory stated. “But he was nowhere near when the crash happened. He braked aggressively upon seeing it but drove past in shock, with an un-questioned passenger who could have corroborated everything.” The DA’s report concurs: “The evidence does not support that Kyren Lacy should have known his actions caused the crash 72 yards ahead.”

The revelation has sparked outrage. On October 6, ESPN’s Ryan Clark – an LSU alum – delivered a tearful monologue on SportsCenter: “Kyren Lacy was supposed to be on an NFL field this weekend. He was innocent. We owe it to him to say his name and demand better.” Host Scott Van Pelt added, “My hands shook watching that video. This young man deserved justice, not judgment.”

Critics, including the Louisiana Democratic Party, are calling for an independent probe into the investigation, alleging coerced witness statements and rushed charges. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill maintains the evidence against Lacy on passing remains “undisputed,” but the focus has shifted to systemic failures in athlete support.

For the Steelers, the story hits close to home. Mock drafts had linked Lacy to Pittsburgh as a dynamic complement to George Pickens. Howard, now vying for the backup role behind Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, sees parallels in draft pressures: “Kyren’s texts remind me – we’re human first. The NFL’s a dream, but the toll is real.”

Ripples Through the NFL: Calls for Reform and Reflection

This saga arrives amid a league reckoning on player well-being. The NFL Players Association has pushed for mandatory mental health evaluations during draft prep, while Commissioner Roger Goodell faces questions on Combine protocols. “We review all cases individually,” an NFL spokesperson said, “but tragedies like this prompt ongoing improvements.”

Howard’s vulnerability has endeared him to Steelers Nation. Coach Mike Tomlin praised his “leadership beyond the huddle” during a October 8 presser, while teammate Aaron Rodgers – no stranger to scrutiny – offered mentorship: “Will’s got heart. Sharing this honors Kyren and protects the next guy.”

As the 2025 season unfolds, with Pittsburgh at 4-1 and Howard logging emergency snaps in Week 4, Lacy’s legacy endures. Advocacy groups like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention have seen a 30% uptick in NFL-related donations, crediting the texts’ raw honesty.

In the end, Will Howard’s revelation isn’t just a story of loss – it’s a clarion call. For every athlete pleading into the void, it demands we listen before it’s too late.