The football world is reeling today with the news that Jordan Devey, a member of the New England Patriots’ 2014 Super Bowl team, has passed away at the age of 38. His wife, Linsey, broke the heartbreaking news on social media, sending shockwaves through the community that knew and loved him. It’s a gut punch, hearing that someone so young, someone who achieved so much through sheer will, is gone.
From Marching Band to the Gridiron: A Truly Unbelievable Path
Talk about an underdog story, Devey’s path to the NFL was absolutely wild. Born in American Fork, Utah, he didn’t even play football in high school. Seriously, think about that for a second! Instead, he was an avid tuba player and a member of the basketball team. Then, after serving a two-year mission in Costa Rica, he finally enrolled at Snow College in 2009. Two years later, he transferred to Memphis. This guy skipped high school football, went on a mission trip, and *then* started his college football career. What an absolute grinder! It gets even crazier: he went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Ravens picked him up that summer, gave him a shot, and then let him go. But Devey just kept pushing. The Patriots saw something, snatching him up for their practice squad. The very next season, he fought his way onto the 53-man roster, starting four of the seven games he appeared in. To cap it all off, that same 2014 season saw him earn a Super Bowl ring as a reserve lineman. From tuba player to Super Bowl champ in just a few short years, it’s a testament to his incredible drive.
An Eight-Year Career and a Life of Giving Back
Devey’s journey with the Patriots wrapped up when they traded him to San Francisco the following training camp. He kept bouncing around, spending three seasons with the Chiefs, and one each with the Raiders and Bills. In total, he carved out an eight-year NFL career, logging a combined 45 regular season and playoff appearances. Think of the hits he took, the battles he fought in the trenches for nearly a decade. That’s a career many dream of, especially coming from such an unconventional start. After he hung up his cleats, Devey and his family relocated to Eagle, Idaho. He didn’t just disappear though; he continued to make an impact, working as a volunteer coach and mentor at Eagle High School right up until his passing. That tells you everything you need to know about the kind of man he was: someone who constantly gave back to the sport and the community that embraced him.
It’s just devastating. A man with such a unique story, a Super Bowl ring, and a heart for mentoring young athletes, gone far too soon at just 38. Jordan is survived by his wife, Linsey, and their four children. This young family is facing an unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with them. A GoFundMe has been set up to financially support the Devey family during this incredibly difficult time. If you can, please consider donating. It’s the least we can do to honor a life well-lived, even if it was cut short.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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