Vincent Jackson, the former San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star, was found dead in a Florida hotel room on Monday 15 February, leaving behind his wife and their three children.

NFL star Vincent Jackson reported missing

38-year-old Jackson had been staying at the Homewood Suites since checking into the hotel in Brandon, Florida on 11 January, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. They also confirmed that the NFL star was found dead by a housekeeper at around 11:30 am local time on Monday.

The initial report showed that there were no signs of trauma but the cause of death is still unclear.

Jackson's family had reported him missing on 11 February but after tracking him down in the hotel and checking on his well being, the authorities cancelled the missing person's report.

Jackson leaves wife and children behind

Jackson is survived by his wife Lindsey Vandeweghe and the three children they had together.

Vandeweghe is from Colorado and was proposed to by the player in 2011 on stage after he was inducted to the UNC Athletic Hall of Fame.

“I love you. I will always love you. I want to start a family with you,” Jackson said. “I want to spend the rest of my days with you. You are my soulmate. Will you marry me?”

The answer was as he had hoped and the couple tied the knot on 16 July of that same year. Three children were added to the family in the coming years, namely Carter, Amaya and Dominick, and their home was in the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, a mansion believed to be worth around $3.5 million. The player’s net worth was estimated to be around $50 million.

The couple kept their family life as much out of the public spotlight as possible but there were occasional glimpses shared on social media.

Starring wide receiver for Chargers and Buccaneers

Jackson spent 12 seasons in the NFL from 2005-16, playing his first seven with the Chargers before enjoying his final five with the Buccaneers. He earned trips to the Pro Bowl in 2009, 2011 and 2012 and finished his career with 9,080 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns.

Jackson ranks fourth in Buccaneers franchise history with 4,326 receiving yards and 10th on the all-time Chargers list with 4,754 yards receiving.

Jackson 'an inspiration to all of us'

The Chargers said: "We are shocked and deeply saddened by news of Vincent Jackson's sudden passing. Vincent was a fan favourite not only for his Pro Bowl play on the field but for the impact he made on the community off of it.

"The work he has done on behalf of military families through his foundation in the years since his retirement has been an inspiration to all of us."

"We simply cannot believe he's gone, and our hearts go out to his wife, Lindsey, their children, his parents, former team-mates and everyone whose lives were touched by having known Vincent."