EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne’s father, Jeff Thorne, has passed away after a battle with stomach cancer.

Jeff was a quarterback at Eastern Illinois University and eventually became a coach. His coaching career was highlighted by leading North Central (IL) to a Division 3 National Championship in 2019.

Jeff was also the offensive coordinator at Western Michigan for one season in 2022 and faced his son when Michigan State beat Western Michigan 35-13 on Sept. 2, 2022.

Payton was the quarterback at Michigan State from 2019 to 2022, when he transferred to Auburn in 2023 and finished his college career there in 2024.

Payton signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025.

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