The February death of former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson was due to chronic alcohol use, the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Medical Examiner announced Wednesday.

The medical examiner ruled the death “natural.” Jackson, who was 38, was found dead in a hotel room in Brandon, Fla.

Earlier this week, the Concussion Legacy Foundation announced that Jackson was diagnosed with Stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the progressive brain disease that has affected many football players.

Jackson played 12 NFL seasons with the then-San Diego Chargers (2005-11) and Tampa Buccaneers (2012-16). He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection who caught 540 passes for 9,080 yards and 57 touchdowns.

In the months prior to his death, Jackson reportedly dealt with depression, progressive memory loss, mood swings, paranoia and extreme social isolation — all considered symptoms of CTE.

According to the autopsy, Jackson suffered from alcoholic cardiomyopathy, hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, esophageal varices, ascites, jaundice, remote pancreatitis, renal failure and hyponatremia dehydration, cardiovascular disease and intoxication by ethyl alcohol.

During his tenure with the Chargers, Jackson was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in both 2006 and 2009. He served a three-game suspension in 2010.

Jackson was found in his room by hotel workers on Feb. 15. It was the third time straight day that Jackson was slouched on the coach in a similar manner when a worker entered the room.

Jackson had been staying at the hotel since Jan. 11. His family filed a missing-persons report Feb. 11, and deputies located him at the hotel Feb. 12 and spoke with him. The missing-persons case was canceled, and deputies deemed Jackson fit to stay at the hotel.

–Field Level Media

Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson struggled with alcoholism and other health issues before he was found dead in a Florida hotel room this week, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Wednesday.

Chronister also said Jackson’s family is concerned he might have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a progressive and fatal disease that has been linked to concussions.

Jackson, 38, was found dead Monday at the Homewood Suites in Brandon, where he had been living since Jan. 11.

“We got the autopsy report back that is going to be released today,” Chronister said during an appearance on the M.J. Morning Show on Q105-FM, per the Tampa Bay Times.

“Unfortunately, he suffered from chronic alcoholism. Again, just tragic. We haven’t gotten the toxicology report back, so can’t say with any certainty that was it. But a lot of longstanding health conditions that contributed to his passing because of some alcohol abuse.”

According to Chronister, Jackson’s family suspects CTE because he sustained multiple concussions during a 12-year NFL career with the San Diego Chargers (2005-11) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-16).

“This is just speculation, but what the family is telling me is that he suffered from CTE,” he said. “They believe he had a lot of concussion problems. When you suffer from that, you’re not yourself, you’re not your normal self. And they believe wholeheartedly all of these actions are a result of what he suffered while he was playing in the NFL.”

Jackson earned three Pro Bowl selections and posted six 1,000-yard seasons. He caught 540 passes for 9,080 yards and 57 touchdowns in 155 games.

Known for his charitable endeavors, Jackson was Tampa Bay’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award four times.

Jackson’s death prompted former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf to blast the league for not doing enough to help players in need.

“I don’t know who needs to hear this, or if I just needed to say it, but I will not continue to stand by and watch my brothers disappear because the multi billion $$$ corporation won’t do the right thing,” Leaf posted on Twitter along with an emotional video.

–Field Level Media

Former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead Monday in a Florida hotel room, authorities confirmed.

Police said the 38-year-old Jackson had been staying at the Homewood Suites in the Tampa suburb of Brandon since Jan. 11.

Jackson’s family reported him missing on Feb. 10. Two days later, deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office located him at the hotel and spoke with him. After assessing his well-being, the missing persons report was canceled.

A housekeeper found Jackson deceased at about 11:30 a.m. ET on Monday.

The sheriff’s office said there were no apparent signs of trauma. The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death.

Jackson played 12 seasons with the then-San Diego Chargers (2005-11) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-16). The three-time Pro Bowl selection caught 540 passes for 9,080 yards and 57 touchdowns in 155 games.

“My heart aches for the many loved ones Vincent Jackson leaves behind, from his wife and children to the Buccaneers nation that adored him,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Mr. Jackson was a devoted man who put his family and community above everything else.”

Jackson posted six 1,000-yard seasons. He led the NFL with 19.2 yards per reception in his first season with Tampa Bay in 2012.

Jackson became to emerge as a top receiver when he caught 18 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns in three games in the 2007 postseason. The Chargers lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

The Chargers selected him in the second round (61st overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Northern Colorado.

–Field Level Media