The widow of late NFL player Jordan Devey is remembering her husband’s hero walk as “really hard, and really beautiful all at once.”
“Eagle High School offensive line coach and former NFL Super Bowl champion Jordan Devey donated his organs today, & we were all there to honor him and send him home to his Heavenly Father,” read an Instagram post shared on Sunday, July 26, by Linsey Devey and KTVB7 reporter Maggie O’Mara.
The post continued, “Hundreds of heartbroken people packed the halls at St. Alphonsus in Boise to honor his life and his last heroic act of love and service.”
The accompanying post was a video taken of Jordan’s hero walk, showing family, friends and hospital workers lining the halls, thanking him for his donation.
A hero walk is a hospital tradition where a near-death individual’s loved ones and hospital staff gather in the hallway to pay tribute to the individual as they are being wheeled into the operating room to donate their organs.
Jordan died by suicide on Tuesday, July 21, at age 38.
“Imagine being this fiercely loved by so many people?” the post continued. “We now know Jordan quietly fought an overwhelming battle with his mental health. His family is now bravely sharing that battle in hopes that others going through it will get the help they need.”
His mother, Leslie, told Fox 13 in Salt Lake City that she believed her son suffered from CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. A GoFundMe has been set up to support Jordan’s family, including the four children he shared with Linsey.
“Tragically, Jordan took his own life, leaving his family to navigate an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time,” the site’s description reads. “As they face overwhelming emotional and financial challenges, including mounting medical expenses, the community is coming together to support Linsey and their children. The funds raised will help ease the financial burden, allowing them to focus on healing and moving forward without the added stress of immediate expenses.”
Jordan played for six teams over eight seasons in the NFL after going undrafted in 2013. He was a member of the New England Patriots’ 2014 Super Bowl-winning team and played three seasons alongside Travis Kelce with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Linsey first shared the news of her husband’s death via Instagram on Thursday, July 23.
“Today would have been our 15th year anniversary. We have filled the walls of our homes and hearts with countless memories, joys, struggles and triumphs,” she wrote. “We brought four beautiful children into this world that have your eyes, freckles and compassion.”
Linsey continued, “You were our hero and our hearts ache in your absence. We love you. We miss you. And as you said in your last words to me, ‘We’ll talk soon’ ❤️.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
