Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton announces brother's death by suicide

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton announced on November 24, 2024, that his brother had died by suicide. In a post on his Instagram Stories, Wharton shared the news and urged others to check on friends and prioritize mental health.[1][2]

"Good morning. On behalf of my family and my brother, I want to take a moment to give everyone some closure," Wharton wrote. "My brother passed away by suicide. This is one of the toughest pills we’ve ever had to swallow. ... Mental health is real. Please understand it’s okay to talk to someone."[1][3]

Wharton, 26, signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020 after a college career at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He has appeared in 66 regular-season games over five seasons, recording 84 tackles and 7.0 sacks.[4][5]

Wharton was part of the Chiefs teams that won Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023, against the Philadelphia Eagles, and Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024, against the San Francisco 49ers.[6][7]

Messages of condolence came from across the NFL community following Wharton's announcement.[1][2]

Sources

1. Fox News. "Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton announces brother died by suicide: 'Mental health is real'". November 25, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/chiefs-dt-tershawn-wharton-announces-brother-died-suicide-mental-health-real
2. ESPN. "Chiefs' Tershawn Wharton reveals brother's suicide". November 25, 2024. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42494789/chiefs-dt-tersawn-wharton-announces-brother-suicide
3. Instagram (Tershawn Wharton). Direct post screenshot via Fox News/ESPN reports. November 24, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/tershawnwharton/
4. Pro-Football-Reference. "Tershawn Wharton Career Stats". Accessed November 26, 2024. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WharTe00.htm
5. NFL.com. "Tershawn Wharton Player Page". Accessed November 26, 2024. https://www.nfl.com/players/tershawn-wharton/
6. NFL.com. "Super Bowl LVII Recap". February 12, 2023. https://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2023021249/2022/POST22/sb
7. NFL.com. "Super Bowl LVIII Recap". February 11, 2024. https://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2024021100/2023/POST23/sb