Devey’s wife, Linsey, announced his death late Thursday night in an emotional social media post. A fundraising page established for the family said the former NFL player died by suicide.
“Tragically, Jordan took his own life, leaving his family to navigate an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time,” the GoFundMe page stated.
The fundraiser said the family is now facing enormous emotional and financial challenges, including mounting medical expenses. Donations will be used to help Linsey and the couple’s children manage immediate costs as they grieve.
Linsey shared several personal photos in memory of her husband, including one showing her leaning over Devey in a hospital bed and another that appeared to have been taken on their wedding day.
She revealed that Devey died on what would have been the couple’s 15th anniversary.
“We have filled the walls of our homes and hearts with countless memories, joys, struggles, and triumphs,” Linsey wrote. “We brought four beautiful children into this world that have your eyes, freckles, and compassion.”
She described Devey as the family’s hero and said their hearts were aching in his absence.
“We love you. We miss you,” she added. “And as you said in your last words to me, ‘We’ll talk soon.’”
Earlier this year, Devey was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Eagle High School in Idaho.
The GoFundMe campaign was created with a $200,000 goal and had raised more than $52,000 at the time of publication.
Organizers remembered Devey as a devoted husband, loving father and valued member of the Eagle community who spent countless hours coaching young athletes.
“Jordan Devey was a cherished member of the Eagle community, known for his unwavering dedication to serving others,” the page read.
In addition to coaching his own children’s teams and athletes at Eagle High School, Devey was remembered as a mentor, role model and friend. He was also active in his church, where organizers said he regularly offered support and guidance to those in need.
Devey began his professional football career after going undrafted out of Memphis in 2013. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the New England Patriots’ practice squad later that year.
He appeared in six regular-season games for New England during the 2014 season, when the Patriots went on to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
Devey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 before later joining the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent three seasons in Kansas City and eventually played for the Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills before finishing his NFL career in 2021.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief from relatives, friends, former teammates and members of the community whose lives he touched both on and off the football field.
Anyone in the United States experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.