Devon Wylie, the former NFL wide receiver who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans, has died at the age of 35, his family announced on Tuesday.
Fresno State also announced Wylie’s death on X.
“Forever a Bulldog,” the school’s football account wrote.
“Our thoughts are with the Wylie family during this difficult time.”
Wylie’s brother, Doug, also confirmed his brother’s passing on social media,
“I can’t believe this but that said this is a tremendous loss,” Fresno State special teams coordinator John Baxter wrote on X.
“Being someone’s Coach is a blessing beyond words and a hardwired lifetime relationship. This is a tragic loss beyond words. What a great Bulldog, brother, son and teammate. We love you Devon Wylie! Bulldog Born…”
The cause of Wylie’s death has not been given.
Wylie was a top receiver and special teams player at Fresno State, with 98 receptions for 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns.
The late player had two punt-return touchdowns in his senior season and earned a third-team All-American selection before going pro.
As Fox News noted, The Chiefs selected Wylie in the fourth round of the 2012 draft. He appeared in six games for the Chiefs and returned five punts for 26 yards and nine kick returns for 191 yards. He also had six catches for 53 yards.
He was released before the start of the 2013 season and bounced around a few practice squads before signing with the Titans. He made two appearances for the Titans.
247 Spoorts reported:
He was named to All-American status as a punt returner by Yahoo! Sports (Third Team), Phil Steele (Fourth Team) and Sports Illustrated (Honorable Mention).
He averaged 15.38 yards per return on the season. And he brought two back punts for touchdowns against the Bulldogs’ two toughest opponents.
Wylie had a 67-yard touchdown return to take a 7-0 lead at No. 10 Nebraska, and his 79-yard punt return was the Bulldogs’ only score in a loss to No. 5 Boise State.
But many who coached for or suited up alongside Wylie remember him for who he was off the field.
Current Fresno State Special Teams Coordinator John Baxter, who also coached Wylie in a previous stint, wrote on X:
“I can’t believe this but that said this is a tremendous loss. Being someone’s Coach is a blessing beyond words and a hardwired lifetime relationship. This is a tragic loss beyond words. What a great Bulldog, brother, son and teammate. We love you Devon Wylie! Bulldog Born…”
I can’t believe this but that said this is a tremendous loss. Being someone’s Coach is a blessing beyond words and a hardwired lifetime relationship. This is a tragic loss beyond words. What a great Bulldog, brother, son and teammate. We love you Devon Wylie! Bulldog Born… pic.twitter.com/NcICwqt0vV
— CoachJohnBaxter (@CoachJohnBaxter) November 14, 2023
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