Jordan Devey, Super Bowl Champion, Dies by Suicide at 38

Former NFL offensive lineman Jordan Devey, a Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and the only player in NFL history to block for Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen, died by suicide on July 21 at the age of 38. His death was announced by his wife Linsey on July 23, what would have been their 15th wedding anniversary, leaving behind her and their four children.

A Remarkable, Unconventional Path

Devey’s journey to the NFL was anything but typical. Growing up in American Fork, Utah, he did not play high school football; instead, he played tuba in the marching band. After serving a mission for the LDS Church in Costa Rica, he was encouraged by a companion to try football and walked on at Snow College, a junior college where he met his future wife, Linsey.

He transferred to the University of Memphis and went undrafted in 2013, signing with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. The New England Patriots added him to their practice squad in September 2014, and he was elevated to the active roster, playing seven games with four starts as the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks Fox News reported.

Over seven NFL seasons, Devey played for the Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Buffalo Bills, appearing in 44 regular-season games with 21 starts. His career earned him a unique distinction: he is the only player to have blocked for Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen.

Family’s Heartbreaking Announcement

Linsey Devey announced her husband’s death on Instagram on their anniversary, writing: “We have filled the walls of our homes and hearts with countless memories, joys, struggles, and triumphs. We brought 4 beautiful children into this world that have your eyes, freckles, and compassion. You were our hero and our hearts ache in your absence.”

A GoFundMe campaign established to support the family stated: “Tragically, Jordan took his own life, leaving his family to navigate an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.” The campaign described Devey as “a devoted husband to Linsey and a loving father to their four children” who spent countless hours volunteering as a coach at Eagle High School in Idaho, where he was deeply loved by players who saw him as a mentor and friend.

CTE Concerns Raised by Family

Speaking with Fox 13 Salt Lake City, Devey’s parents, Kerry and Leslie, expressed their belief that he may have suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma in football.

“We believe that he possibly suffered from CTE,” said Leslie Devey, though she noted that because of the nature of his death, the family is unable to test for the condition and have a definitive answer.

Kerry Devey described the agonizing uncertainty: “It brings in the what-ifs. What if we’d have done something differently? What if we could’ve seen these signs?”

Devey’s death adds to a troubling pattern of former NFL players dying by suicide in their 30s and 40s with suspected links to CTE. Notable cases include Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau, who died by suicide at 43 and was posthumously diagnosed with CTE, and former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who had severe CTE when he died by suicide at 27.

A Legacy Beyond Football

After retiring in 2021, Devey settled in Idaho with his family, where he became a beloved figure in the Eagle community. He volunteered as a football coach at Eagle High School, coached his children’s sports teams, and served in his local LDS congregation. CBS Sports reported that his family also discovered upon arriving at the hospital that Devey had registered as an organ donor.

His mother, Leslie, urged others struggling with mental health challenges to seek help: “We want people to understand that it’s okay to reach out. That help is there — and there’s nothing wrong with you for reaching out. You’re not fighting the battle alone.”

What’s Next

The GoFundMe campaign has raised over $119,000 toward its $500,000 goal as of July 26, with donations coming from across the NFL community. Devey’s family continues to advocate for mental health awareness, hoping that by speaking openly they can help prevent similar tragedies. His story also renews questions about the long-term effects of football-related head trauma and the adequacy of mental health resources available to former NFL players through the league’s retiree programs.