"I had a lot of support, and I knew that I wasn’t going to let them down,” the athlete said after the game
Daiyan Henley #0 of the Los Angeles Chargers enters the field during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025; Daiyan Henley posts photos of his family
Daiyan Henley, Daiyan Henley with family members including Jabari Henley.
Daiyan Henley returned to the field just two days after his older brother, Jabari Henley, was killed in a Los Angeles shooting
“I felt like I needed to do this for my family,” he said after the Chargers’ 27-20 victory against the Titans
At one point in the game, the linebacker dropped to his knees on the field and began to pray, later saying, “I just wanted to talk to my brother one more time”
Daiyan Henley returned to the field just days after his older brother, Jabari Henley, was killed in a Los Angeles shooting on Friday, Oct. 31.
On Sunday, Nov. 2, the Los Angeles Chargers linebacker, 25, helped his team secure a 27-20 win over the Tennessee Titans with an impressive sack, pass deflection and seven tackles. Following the game, Daiyan told the media in a news conference, "Right now, I'm just floating and the only thing that's consistent right now in my life, and this is crazy to say, is football."
"So for me, that's why I'm out there is because this is the most consistent thing I've got in my life right now is football,” he continued. “And I'm just trying to make the most of it."
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Jabari, 34, died of multiple gunshot wounds. The Athletic reported that Jabari's cause of death was determined to be homicide.
Daiyan went on to recall that when his teammate, Denzel Perryman, knocked on the door of his hotel room to deliver the tragic news at 6 a.m. the next day, he simply “dropped” to his knees.
Daiyan Henley #0 of the Los Angeles Chargers gets set during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025
Daiyan Henley #0 of the Los Angeles Chargers gets set during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025
Even so, missing the game never even crossed his mind. “Every single one of my teammates showed up,” Daiyan emphasized. “That’s why I was out there today and able to do what I did. It was just because I had a lot of support, and I knew that I wasn’t going to let them down, and obviously I don’t want to let the family down. I felt like I needed to do this for my family.”
During one especially emotional moment, the NFL star sacked Titans quarterback Cam Ward in the second quarter before falling to his knees and beginning to pray. “I just wanted to talk to my brother one more time,” Daiyan explained. “I had to just send a prayer up, and hopefully he heard it.”
Daiyan Henley posts a story in honor of his brother
Daiyan Henley posts a story in honor of his brother
After stepping off the field after the game, Daiyan shared a photo of himself with a towel over his head and tears in his eyes, writing on his Instagram Stories, “Love you big bro.”
He was thankfully surrounded by teammates who have his back both on and off the field. “He’s an ultimate warrior, ultimate teammate, ultimate captain,” linebacker Troy Dye said, per The Athletic*.* Safety Elijah Molden added, “This game was for him. He’s got a lot of brothers in this locker room.”
Hours earlier, Daiyan also penned an emotional tribute to his late brother on Instagram alongside a series of family photos.
Daiyan Henley posts photos of his familyDaiyan Henley posts photos of his family
Daiyan Henley with family members including Jabari Henley.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“2025 has brought me more pain than joy and this one has been by far the biggest hit … my family gone stand through the storm because thats who we are I’m gone make sure we straight big bro,” he wrote in the caption. “I got nephew don’t even worry bout it Love you ALLAH BLESSED me with one more night with my big brother didn’t know you’d be gone the next day …. 🖤💙 forever Uiie ⛹🏾♂️.”
He added, “Thank you all for the love and the condolences truly mean the world to me and the fam 🤞🏾we fighters."