Former NFL star and wide receiver has passed away from an unknown illness at the age of just 35.

Devon Wylie was a former Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans wide receiver who succumbed to a mystery illness at the age of just 35, his family revealed.

“We wanted to make this post so people who knew and loved Devon could learn of his passing because we don’t have the capacity to reach out to everyone in this hard time,” they wrote in a heartbreaking statement.

“There are no words to express the sadness that comes from losing a brother, dear friend and an amazing uncle.”

The tear-jerking post continued: “Devon had so much love and joy to give. 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.”

Before joining the NFL, Wylie played football at Granite Bay High School in California. His skills later earned him a scholarship at Fresno State University which resulted in the NFL draft.

After rising to fame in 2012, Wylie played for a variety of teams including the Chiefs and Titans, as well as the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, before quitting his career in football in 2016 to focus on his career in music.

“I know a lot of teams have been bringing me on to these practice squads, basically as an extended tryout,” the young athlete previously told the Sacramento Bee after being assigned to the 49ers practice squad.

“And for one reason 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.”

Our thoughts remain with Devon’s loved ones during this challenging time.