Parents share importance of mental health care after Utahn, NFL player Jordan Devey dies

The parents of former NFL offensive lineman Jordan Devey are speaking out following his death by suicide at age 38. Devey, a Utah native and Super Bowl champion, left behind a wife and four children. His family hopes that sharing their story will encourage open conversations about mental health and the long-term impacts of physical trauma in professional sports.

Jordan’s parents, Leslie and Kerry Devey, described their son as an energetic and generous person who excelled despite the physical demands of his professional career. After graduating from American Fork High School, Devey played for multiple NFL teams including the New England Patriots. Following his retirement in 2021, he moved to Idaho to coach high school football and focus on his family.

His parents believe chronic traumatic encephalopathy, often known as CTE, may have contributed to his mental health struggles. While they cannot confirm this diagnosis due to the circumstances of his passing, they hope their experience highlights the reality of the toll sports injuries take on players long after they leave the field. They view his decision to be an organ donor as a final act of generosity that provides a measure of meaning to a profound loss.

The Devey family is now focused on the importance of ending the stigma around mental health care. They encourage those dealing with emotional distress to seek support rather than fighting in silence. A fundraiser has been established to support his wife and children as they navigate this difficult transition.