Vincent Jackson, former wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was found dead in his hotel room on Monday (Feb. 15), according to authorities. The 38-year-old ex-NFL star was found in a Florida Homewood Suites by a housekeeper who went to check on his room. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says Jackson was staying at that hotel since January and his family recently reported him missing.

Deputies were able to locate and speak to Jackson last Friday (Feb. 12), a day after the missing persons report was filed. “After assessing Jackson’s well-being, the missing persons case was canceled,” the sheriff’s office said.

The county’s medical examiner is working to determine Jackson’s cause of death. According to authorities, there was no sign of trauma on his body when he was found. “My heart aches for the many loved ones Vincent Jackson leaves behind, from his wife and children to the Buccaneers nation that adored him,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Mr. Jackson was a devoted man who put his family and community above everything else.”

Jackson was drafted to the NFL by the San Diego Chargers in 2005. He signed a five-year contract with the Buccaneers in 2012. In 2018, he retired from football, but remained in Tampa. On Monday afternoon, Bryan Glazer, owner of the Buccaneers, released a statement about his passing. “We are shocked and saddened to hear the terrible news regarding the loss of Vincent Jackson,” the statement read. “During his five seasons with our franchise, Vincent was a consummate professional, who took a great deal of pride in his performance on and off the football field.”

“Vincent was a dedicated father, husband, businessman and philanthropist, who made a deep impact on our community through his unyielding advocacy for military families, supported by the Jackson in Action 83 Foundation,” the statement continued. “He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection for his accomplishments on the field, but his greatest achievements as a Buccaneer were the consecutive nominations he earned for our Walter Payton Man of the Year. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Lindsey, and the entire Jackson family.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jackson’s family and friends. May he rest in peace.