Former Vikings and Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has died in a car crash, aged 36.

The NFL star was killed when his car left the road and hit a tree near his hometown of Montgomery on Sunday evening, reported NFL.com.

Tennessee State University football team, where he has been working as a quarterback coach, announced the news.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Jackson family in this time of bereavement," said TSU head coach Rod Reed. "We are devastated. He was an awesome young man and he will be missed by our players, our staff and the TSU family."

Jackson started his career when he was selected to play for the Vikings in the second round of the NFL 2006 draft, where he went on to spend four years.

"The entire Vikings family is saddened by the news of Tarvaris Jackson being taken from us too soon," the Vikings said in a statement. 

"One of Tarvaris' greatest attributes was his positive outlook and approach. He genuinely cared about others, was a good friend and will be missed by family, teammates and Vikings fans everywhere. We send out deepest condolences to his family."

He then moved to Seattle Seahawks where he famously backed up Russell Wilson and was in the squad which won Super Bowl XLVIII against Denver Broncos.