Kenny Easley, a legendary figure in the Seattle Seahawks’ history, has passed away at the age of 66. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced his death on Friday night, as notified by his family.
Easley, a Hall of Fame safety inducted in 2017, was remembered for his remarkable skills and fierce playing style. Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter praised him, saying, “Kenny Easley would have been a dominant safety in any era… His biggest strengths were his fearlessness and intensity.” Porter extended condolences to Easley’s wife, Gail, and the entire Easley family.
Details regarding the cause of death have yet to be released by the Hall of Fame.
Selected fourth overall in the 1981 NFL Draft, Easley’s career spanned seven seasons during which he made an indelible mark. A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, he was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1984, leading the league with 10 interceptions that season and helping the Seahawks achieve a franchise record of 12 regular-season wins at that time. Easley, often referred to as “The Enforcer,” was a crucial player during the Seahawks’ early playoff appearances in 1983, 1984, and 1987, with the 1983 team reaching the AFC championship game.
In 1988, Easley was traded to the Phoenix Cardinals, but his career was cut short due to severe kidney disease, which he attributed to an overdose of Advil, leading to a lawsuit against the Seahawks that was eventually settled. After receiving a kidney transplant, Easley later reconciled with the organization, being honored with a place in the Seahawks’ Ring of Honor in 2002.
Over 89 games, Easley recorded 32 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles, and eight sacks, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with fans and players alike. His contributions to the game and the Seahawks’ franchise history will not be forgotten.