The parents of former NFL guard Jordan Devey, who died by suicide at the age of 38, have expressed their belief that he may have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a progressive brain condition associated with repeated head trauma.
Jordan Devey played for seven seasons in the NFL, suiting up for five different teams, including the Patriots, 49ers, Chiefs, Raiders, and Bills. He won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2014. His wife, Linsey, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, noting their upcoming 15th wedding anniversary and their four children.
Leslie Devey, Jordan's mother, told Fox 13 in Salt Lake City that she believes CTE was a contributing factor to her son's death. "We also feel like this was partly why he’s not with us any longer at the age of 38," she stated.
His father, Kerry Devey, spoke of regret and the overwhelming nature of the loss. "You think you’re strong until something like this happens…and it brings you to your knees," he said, reflecting on the "what-ifs" and whether signs could have been recognized earlier.
Due to the circumstances of his death, the Devey family will not be able to definitively test for CTE. Leslie Devey emphasized the importance of mental health awareness and encouraged those struggling to seek help, stating, "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."
A GoFundMe page established to support the Devey family has raised nearly $92,000 as of Saturday morning. The page states that Jordan Devey "took his own life, leaving his family to navigate an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time."