Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley dies at age 66 years old

Former Seattle Seahawks security Kenny Easley has died on the age of 66, the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame introduced Saturday.

Easley’s household mentioned he died Friday night and didn’t present a explanation for loss of life.

“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Seahawks legend Kenny Easley,” the Seahawks mentioned in an announcement. “Kenny embodied what it meant to be a Seahawk by means of his management, toughness, depth and fearlessness. His intimidating nature and athletic grace made him one of many biggest gamers of all time.”

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Former Seahawks participant and NFL Corridor of Fame member Kenny Easley acknowledges the gang as his quantity is retired throughout halftime between the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts at CenturyLink Subject on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Photographs)

The Seahawks drafted Easley out of UCLA with the No. 4 total decide in 1981, and the security grew to become a five-time Professional Bowler and three-time All-Professional participant throughout seven seasons in Seattle, the place he spent his total profession.

In 1984, Easley led the league with 10 interceptions and was named defensive participant of the 12 months by The Related Press. He was the primary participant in franchise historical past to be named Defensive Participant of the Yr.

Nevertheless, his profession ended after the 1987 season when, partly because of a kidney ailment that shortened his NFL profession, he was traded to the Cardinals. However he failed his bodily efficiency and by no means performed one other participant within the NFL once more.

Easley believed the Seahawks knew concerning the kidney situation and didn’t inform him. The Seahawks and Easley started reconciling in 2002 when Paul Allen was the group proprietor, which coincided with Easley being inducted into the Ring of Honor that fall.

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Easley completed his profession with 32 interceptions, which ranks fourth in franchise historical past, in addition to 11 fumble recoveries, 9 pressured fumbles and eight sacks.

At UCLA, Easley starred at free security below coach Terry Donahue from 1977 to 1980. He made a right away influence for the Bruins, becoming a member of the beginning lineup as a real freshman and ultimately turning into the primary participant in Pac-10 historical past to earn 4 first-team All-Convention honors.

He was solely the second participant in program historical past to be named an All-American 3 times.

Easley nonetheless holds the UCLA college file with 19 profession interceptions, together with 13 in his first two seasons. He ranks fifth on UCLA’s all-time tackles listing with 374, together with his 93 stops in 1977 representing probably the most by a Bruin true freshman.

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Kenny Easley of the Seattle Seahawks in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts at CenturyLink Subject on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Photographs)

Easley totaled 105 tackles throughout the 1980 marketing campaign, ending ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. He additionally returned kicks throughout his time at UCLA. His No. 5 jersey was retired by the college.

He’s survived by his spouse Gail and their three kids: son Kendrick and daughters Gabrielle Manhertz and Giordanna.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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