Devon Wylie, a fleet receiver who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans, has died at age 35, his family announced.
The family said in a statement on Wednesday by Wylie’s sister, Dene Ogles, “Words cannot describe the heartache we all feel as a result of Devon’s passing.”
“Devon was a devoted son, grandson, brother, uncle, teammate and friend. He touched so many lives as a result of his love for the Lord and his special talents on and off the field.”
The family is awaiting the outcome of an autopsy report, and is requesting “for privacy surrounding the matter,” Ogles said.
Wylie starred at Granite Bay High School in the Sacramento, California, area, and at Fresno State, before clocking an impressive 4.36 40-yard dash time at the 2012 NFL Combine.
He once told the Sacramento Bee, “Speed kills. That’s how I’ll make it in pro ball.”
The Chiefs drafted Wylie in the fourth round, and he played in six matches during his rookie season in 2012, catching six passes for 53 yards while returning kicks and punts. He played in two matches for the Titans in 2013.
After the San Francisco 49ers signed him to the practice squad in December of that year, Wylie told the Bee: “I know a lot of teams have been bringing me on to these practice squads, basically as an extended tryout. And for one cause or another, they need to bring in another guy because someone gets hurt. And I get booted. If they keep me, they’re going to get my best.”
Devon Wylie made 14 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 2016.
