NFL Player's Widow Shares Heartbreaking Account of Telling Son About Father's Suicide

Linsey Devey, the widow of former NFL guard Jordan Devey, has shared a deeply personal and heartbreaking account of telling their oldest son, Cash, about his father's suicide. Jordan Devey, a Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, died by suicide in July at the age of 38.

In a poignant Instagram post, Linsey described the devastating moment her 11-year-old son ran outside "to let out a scream that no 11-year-old should ever have to carry" upon hearing the news. She shared photos of herself and her children – Cash, and daughters MJ, 8, Winnie, 4, and Stevie, 2 – at Jordan’s bedside.

"Cash has always carried this quiet instinct to protect our family," Linsey wrote. "He feels everything so deeply, but he rarely lets you see it because he thinks his job is to be strong for me… just like his dad. He has Jordan’s heart. The same kindness. The same compassion. The same spiritual strength that made so many people feel safe."

She described the moment of telling Cash as the hardest she has ever witnessed. "In that moment, he didn’t just lose his father. He lost his best friend, his mentor, and the coach who taught him how to love, lead, and believe."

Linsey recounted the immediate aftermath of delivering the news: "The day I told Cash his dad had gone home to Heaven, his world shattered. He ran outside and let out a scream that no 11-year-old should ever have to carry. A few moments later, he wiped his tears, walked back to me, and with a strength I know came from Christ, said, ‘Mom, we can do this together. Don’t take your own life.’ In the middle of his deepest grief, he reminded me that we would not face it alone.

I will never forget those words."

Linsey noted that witnessing Cash's grief had strengthened her own faith. "I always believed I was the one building a foundation of faith for my children. But the truth is, they’ve become some of my greatest teachers," she wrote. "Cash, you are a spiritual giant — just like your dad. And I know with all my heart that the same Savior who is carrying me is carrying you, too."

Linsey recently shared that it had been "79 days without him," with her social media bio honoring his life and carrying his legacy.

In July, Jordan Devey’s mother, Leslie, told Fox 13 in Salt Lake City that the family suspected he may have suffered from CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repetitive head trauma. "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," she stated.

Jordan Devey played in 44 career games with 21 starts over seven seasons for the Patriots, 49ers, Chiefs, Raiders, and Bills. He was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl 51 in the 2014 season. He retired in 2021 after playing one game for the Buffalo Bills in 2020. He was also a respected high school football coach in his community.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, resources are available. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.