Super Bowl champion and former NFL guard Jordan Devey has died by suicide at 38 years old.
“Today would have been our 15th year anniversary,” Linsey wrote in the Instagram post, while sharing photos taken on their wedding day and at his hospital bedside. “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,” she said. “You were our hero and our hearts ache in your absence. We love you. We miss you. And as you said in your last words to me, ‘We’ll talk soon.’”
Devey died on July 21 and his wife announced his death two days later.
The six-foot-seven, 320 pound offensive lineman also played for the New England Patriots, winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
Speaking to a local media outlet, Devey’s parents said they believe he possibly suffered from Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, widely known as CTE. The degenerative brain disease is linked to repeated head trauma and been found in former athletes, military veterans, and other individuals with a history of repeated head injuries.
His mother, Leslie, told Fox 13 they felt his years playing football could have possibly contributed to his death.
“We also feel like this was partly why he’s not with us any longer at the age of 38,” she said.
His father, Kerry, said he now wonders whether there were signs that the family may have missed, but also suggested they may never know.
“Because of the condition of what happened with his death…we’re not going to be able to test for that and have a definitive answer,” his father said.
“Jordan Devey was a cherished member of the Eagle community, known for his unwavering dedication to serving others,” the fundraising page states. "Jordan spent countless hours volunteering as a coach for his own children’s teams and for the athletes at Eagle High School, where he was deeply loved by the players who saw him as a mentor, role model, and friend."
After retiring from the NFL in 2021, Devey settled in Idaho and became involved in coaching high school football and mentoring young student athletes.