SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) \u2014 Utah native and former NFL offensive lineman Jordan Devey died this week at age 38. As his family mourns his loss, his parents are speaking out about CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which they believe may have been related to his death. <\/p>\n
They are also advocating for organ donation after learning that their son had registered as an organ donor.<\/p>\n
Jordan Devey was born and raised in American Fork. Although he did not play football in high school, he was inspired to pursue the sport while serving a mission in Costa Rica. After playing in college, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. He later played for the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders, and Buffalo Bills. In all, he played eight NFL seasons and won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2015.<\/p>\n
“An eight-year career as an offensive lineman is longevity. Most people don’t last that long. Their bodies just can’t take the wear and tear that happens,” said Leslie Devey, Jordan’s mother.<\/p>\n
His parents remembered him as someone who made an impact wherever he went.<\/p>\n
“He has just been a wonderful person his entire life. He’s mischievous, he’s playful, he’s energetic, and he’s just a really, really neat person. We’re proud to have been his parents,” Leslie Devey said.<\/p>\n
“He’s absolutely been a pillar in every community he’s been involved with, from junior college to every NFL team. We’re getting so many wonderful comments about him,” said Kerry Devey, Jordan’s father.<\/p>\n
Jordan died by suicide at age 38. His parents believe CTE may have played a role.<\/p>\n
“We believe the possibility of that was very true, simply because he had signs and symptoms,” Leslie Devey said. “And the fact of the brutal beatings that he’s taken over the years playing on the field, but also during practice.”<\/p>\n
His mother said Jordan had also been researching the condition before his death.<\/p>\n
“Jordan had been researching the signs and symptoms of CTE and was experiencing some of those symptoms,” she said.<\/p>\n
However, she said CTE can only be confirmed after death, and because of the circumstances surrounding Jordan’s death, including the life-saving measures performed at the hospital, doctors were unable to test for it.<\/p>\n
“Because he had a heartbeat, they started life-saving measures by putting him on a ventilator and moving through that process,” Leslie Devey said. “Because of that, they were not able to preserve his brain in a way that allowed for CTE testing.”<\/p>\n
Jordan’s family hopes sharing his story will encourage others who may be struggling to seek help.<\/p>\n
“I would say to use the resources that are available,” Leslie Devey said. “There is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you’re in any type of crisis, you can call or text 988 and they can connect you with the resources you need. It’s a free service that’s available 24 hours a day, and it’s very private.”<\/p>\n
“This 988 resource is something we would encourage people to use,” she said.<\/p>\n
After learning Jordan had registered as an organ donor, his parents are also encouraging others to consider doing the same.<\/p>\n
“Jordan was a hero to so many people, and through registering himself as an organ donor, he’s going to continue being that hero to so many people,” Kerry Devey said.<\/p>\n
Jordan leaves behind his wife, Linsey, and four children.<\/p>\n
“His oldest is a son, and then he has three little girls. They’re 11, 8, 4 and 2, and they all have his brown eyes. They’re all a little mischievous like him, and he was the best daddy ever,” Leslie Devey said. “They’re going to miss him dearly.”<\/p>\n