Former NFL Lineman Jordan Devey Dies at 38, CTE Concerns Raised by Family

Former NFL offensive lineman Jordan Devey has died at age 38, with his family in Salt Lake City confirming the news. Devey, who played eight seasons across five professional franchises, died by suicide, and his parents have expressed concerns about the potential impact of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on his health.

Neurological Health Questions in American Football

The circumstances surrounding Devey's death amplify the ongoing medical examination of long-term neurological health among professional football players. Devey entered the National Football League in 2013 as an undrafted free agent from the University of Memphis. Throughout his career, he participated in 44 regular-season games and made 21 starts, notably winning a Super Bowl championship with the New England Patriots during the 2014 season.

Devey's Career Path and Post-Career Health Debate

Devey's professional career included tenures with the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and Buffalo Bills, concluding in 2020. His family's reference to CTE highlights the broader institutional conversations within the sport regarding head trauma protocols and health monitoring for former athletes after their playing careers.

While definitive clinical confirmation of CTE requires post-mortem brain analysis, this case adds to the continuing study of player safety and long-term cognitive outcomes in American football.