KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Former NFL wide receiver Devon Wylie, known for his time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans, has died at the age of 35; the cause of death was not revealed.
Reportedly, his family shared the heartbreaking news with the wider community on November 14.
'There are no words to express the sadness'
The family's statement, expressing the difficulty of reaching out individually to everyone, painted a poignant picture of the impact Devon had on those around him.
"There are no words to express the sadness that comes from losing a brother, dear friend and an amazing uncle. Devon had so much love and joy to give," it said.
The statemment continued, "Always making people laugh and entertaining us with his football skills, guitar jams, silly jokes and voices, back-flip tricks, fun banter Star Wars obsession chat, Halo nights and not to mention his beautiful smile. We will miss him always."
When did Devon Wylie play last?
Devon Wylie's professional football journey concluded in 2017 when he was part of the CFL. Following his time in football, he had ventured into a music career, exploring new avenues beyond the field.
Wylie's football journey began with stardom at Granite Bay High School in California. From 2007 to 2011, he showcased his skills at Fresno State, recording an impressive 56 receptions in 13 games during his senior season.
Wylie's versatility extended beyond receiving, leading the Western Athletic Conference with 15.38 yards per punt return.
Notably, he returned two punts for touchdowns against formidable opponents, No 10 Nebraska and No 5 Boise State.
His impact was further highlighted in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he contributed four punt returns for 54 yards, showcasing his prowess in the college football All-Star game.
When did Devon Wylie join Kansas City?
In the 2012 NFL Draft, Wylie was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round, marking the beginning of his NFL career
His selection happened after his draft stock received a significant boost when he clocked an impressive 4.36-second 40-yard dash during the pre-draft NFL Scouting Combine in 2012, showcasing his exceptional speed and athleticism.
Sources claim that Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel spoke highly of Wylie, noting his impressive quickness and catching abilities.
According to Crennel, "He showed some pretty good quickness and things as far as catching the ball goes."
Crennel continued, "What he was advertised as, it showed. I mean, he has really good quickness and he runs really good routes. I think he’ll be able to get a step on defenders and have a chance to make plays."
Wylie made an impact during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, catching six passes in six games.
However, he was released before the commencement of the 2013 season. Subsequently, he played in two games with the Tennessee Titans in 2013.
Over the next three seasons, Wylie found himself on the practice squads of various teams, contributing his skills and expertise in that capacity.
