BOSTON (CBS) — Former NFL wide receiver and Patriots draft pick Terry Glenn has died in a car crash in Texas.

Officials with the Irving Fire Department confirmed that Glenn died following a wreck early Monday morning, according to CBS Dallas-Forth Worth. He was 43 years old.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick discussed Glenn’s passing on his Monday morning conference call.

“Terry was a very smart individual and had a lot of physical skills and talent to do a lot of things on the football field very naturally,” said Belichick, who was an assistant head coach in New England when Glenn arrived in 1996. “He was, deep down inside, a good person with a good heart. Obviously it’s a very unfortunate passing. It’s a sad day.”

“We were shocked and deeply saddened by today’s news that Terry Glenn died in an auto accident,” Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said. “Terry was one of the most gifted receivers we have ever had. For so many Patriots fans, his rookie season will be remembered as one of the most impactful in franchise history.”

Glenn started 15 games as a rookie in 1996 and set an NFL record for most receptions by a rookie with 90 catches for 1,132 yards and six touchdowns.

Many of his former teammates took to social media to mourn to share their condolences, including a touching message from former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe.

Man….#RIP to my former teammate Terry Glenn, who passed away this morning due to a car accident. Praying for his family — Damien Woody (@damienwoody) November 20, 2017

Glenn was originally drafted seventh overall in the 1996 draft by the Patriots, for whom he played six seasons. He caught 329 passes for 4,669 yards and 22 touchdowns with the Patriots. He also caught Tom Brady’s first career touchdown pass. In five postseason games with New England, Glenn caught 21 passes for 317 yards.

Sports Final Throwback: Glenn Talks About Difficult Relationship With Pats In 2001:



Glenn went on to play one season for the Packers and five seasons with the Cowboys. In total, he caught 593 passes for 8,823 yards and 44 touchdowns in his NFL career.