He was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Police say Brinkley was sitting in his car at the intersection of Spring Avenue and Ashbourne Road in Elkins Park. That's when the gunman walked up to Brinkley's car, shot him repeatedly, then ran back to a waiting car and sped off.
Somehow, Brinkley managed to hit the gas and start driving.
The 2004 West Catholic graduate drove about a quarter of a mile, then stopped at the intersection of West Cheltenham Avenue and Oak Lane Road.
A police officer, who was responding to reports of gunshots in the area, found Brinkley parked near a Sunoco station.
The officer took Brinkley to Einstein Hospital. There is no word yet on his condition, however a relative says Brinkley was able to talk on the phone from the hospital, so he does not believe the injuries are life-threatening.
The gunman remains on the loose.
Investigators have not yet indicated if they have a motive in the shooting.
Brinkley's uncle, George Brinkley, was among the relatives who rushed to the young star's side at the hospital.
He tells Action News that Brinkley was on his way to pick up his sister on Thursday night.
"This is a setback. Hopefully the NFL, the Chargers, will understand the circumstances. It wasn't like he was around some unfavorable people. He was going to pick up his sister. He was innocent, not knowing what's going on, then he was hurt."
After graduating from West Catholic, Brinkley went on to play for Syracuse University until last year.
In April, Brinkley signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chargers.
This story came from our sister site, WPVI, in Philadelphia
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