Kansas City Chiefs fans are mourning the loss of former offensive lineman Jordan Devey, who passed away Thursday at the age of 38. His wife, Linsey Hodgkiss Devey, shared the news in a heartfelt Facebook post on what would have been the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary.
Linsey remembered him as “our hero,” noting the life they built together and the traits their children inherited from him—his eyes, freckles, and compassion. She recalled his final words to her: “We’ll talk soon.”
For Chiefs fans, Devey was a reliable depth piece along the offensive line during a transitional period for the franchise.
Claimed off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers in May 2016, he spent three seasons in Kansas City (2016–18). He bounced between the active roster and practice squad early on before carving out a more consistent role.
In 2018, Devey provided valuable versatility when injuries hit the interior line. He appeared in the first seven games of the season and started two at guard and center. One of those starts came against his former team, the New England Patriots (with whom he won a Super Bowl), as the Chiefs rolled with a perfect record early that year. A torn pectoral later landed him on injured reserve, ending his season.
Devey’s path to the NFL was anything but conventional. Knee issues kept him from playing high school football, so he focused on baseball and music (he played the tuba) before serving a two-year church mission in Costa Rica.
He walked on at Snow College, transferred to Memphis, and started every game over two seasons with the Tigers, earning second-team All-Conference USA honors.
Undrafted in 2013, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Patriots’ practice squad.
He appeared in seven games (starting four) during New England’s Super Bowl XLIX championship season and earned a ring, though he was inactive for the title game itself.
After stops with the 49ers, Chiefs, Raiders, and Bills, Devey played in 44 career regular-season games with 21 starts. Post-playing days, he remained connected to the game in Eagle, Idaho, mentoring young athletes, volunteering with his children’s teams, and coaching at Eagle High School.
Those who knew him there described him as a mentor, role model, and friend who also served his church community.
Chiefs supporters will remember Devey as a steady, no-nonsense presence who stepped up when called upon during the 2018 campaign—one of the early building blocks of the team’s modern success under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
