Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley dies at age 66 years old
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Former Seattle Seahawks guard Kenny Easley has died at the age of 66, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Saturday.
Easley’s family said he died Friday night and did not give a cause of death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Seahawks legend Kenny Easley,” the Seahawks said in a statement. he said. “Kenny embodied what it meant to be a Seahawk with his leadership, toughness, intensity and fearlessness. His intimidating nature and athletic grace made him one of the greatest players of all time.”
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Former Seahawks player and NFL Hall of Famer Kenny Easley acknowledges to the crowd that his number has been retired during halftime between the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts at CenturyLink Field on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Seahawks drafted Easley No. 4 overall out of UCLA in 1981, and the safety became a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro player over seven seasons in Seattle, where he spent his entire career.
In 1984, Easley led the league with 10 interceptions and was named defensive player of the year by the Associated Press. He was the first player in franchise history to be named defensive player of the year.
But his career ended after the 1987 season, when he was traded to the Cardinals due in part to a kidney condition that shortened his NFL career. But he failed his physical and never failed again in the NFL.
Easley believed the Seahawks knew about his kidney condition and did not disclose it to him. The Seahawks and Easley began to reconcile in 2002, during Paul Allen’s tenure as team owner, which coincided with Easley being inducted into the honor roll that fall.
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Easley finished his career with 32 interceptions; This was tied for fourth-most in franchise history, plus 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and eight sacks.
Easley starred at free safety at UCLA under coach Terry Donahue from 1977-1980. He made an immediate impact for the Bruins, breaking into the starting lineup as a true freshman and eventually becoming the first player in Pac-10 history to earn four first-team All-Conference honors.
He was the second player in program history to be voted a three-time unanimous All-American.
Easley still holds the UCLA school record with 19 career interceptions, 13 of which came in his first two seasons. He ranks fifth on UCLA’s all-time tackle list with 374, and his 93 stops in 1977 represent the most by a Bruin true freshman.
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Kenny Easley of the Seattle Seahawks against the Indianapolis Colts at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington on October 1, 2017. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Easley totaled 105 tackles during the 1980 campaign and subsequently finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. He also returned punts during his time at UCLA. His number 5 jersey was retired by the university.
He is survived by his wife, Gail, and three children (son Kendrick and daughters Gabrielle Manhertz and Giordanna).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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