Full Breakdown
Former NFL Guard Jordan Devey Dies by Suicide at 38
7/25/2026, 8:31:38 PM
Jordan Devey's Death and Career Summary
Former NFL offensive lineman Jordan Devey died by suicide at age 38, according to family members reported by local Fox 13 and ESPN. Devey entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Memphis in 2013, initially signing with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the New England Patriots. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in the 2014 season, appearing in seven regular-season games that year. Over an eight-year career, Devey played for five teams—the Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Buffalo Bills—appearing in 44 regular-season games with 21 starts before retiring in 2021.
Family Statements on Cause and CTE Concerns
Devey’s wife, Linsey, shared on social media that his death occurred days before the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary, describing the loss as “incredibly difficult and heartbreaking.” His mother, Leslie Devey, told Fox 13 that the family believes Jordan suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head impacts. Leslie added that the family will be unable to confirm CTE through testing because of the manner of his death.
CTE and Player Health Context
CTE has been identified post-mortem in numerous former football players, prompting ongoing research into its prevalence and prevention. Diagnosis typically requires brain tissue analysis after death, and the condition cannot be definitively confirmed without such examination. The Devey family’s inability to test for CTE reflects broader challenges in assessing the disease among former athletes who die by suicide or other causes that preclude autopsy.
Broader Implications for NFL Safety
Devey’s death adds to a growing list of former NFL players whose families suspect CTE contributed to mental-health struggles. While the league has implemented concussion protocols and funding for research, the case underscores continued concerns about long-term neurological effects of repeated head trauma and the need for improved detection and support mechanisms for current and retired players.
