Kenny Easley, Seahawks Legend and Hall of Famer, Passes Away

The world of American football mourns the loss of Kenny Easley, former Seattle Seahawks safety and Hall of Famer. He passed away on Friday night at the age of 66. Easley, known for his physical play and nickname “The Enforcer”, played his entire seven-year career with the Seahawks. He was selected for five Pro Bowls, earned All-Pro honors three times, and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1984. His aggressive playing style made him a reference point for the 1980s, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Seahawks legend Kenny Easley. Kenny embodied what it meant to be a Seahawk through his leadership, toughness, intensity, and courage. His intimidating nature and athletic grace made him one of the best players of all time.

Statement from the Seattle Seahawks team

The Seahawks selected Easley with the fourth overall pick in the 1981 draft, coming from UCLA. In his seven seasons, he recorded 32 interceptions, including 10 in 1984, the most in the league, and returned three for touchdowns.

Kenny Easley would have been a dominant safety in any era. When he was inducted in 2017, he took his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and embraced his football immortality. Kenny possessed excellent ball skills, but make no mistake: his greatest strengths were his courage and intensity. If you had the ball as an opposing offensive player, he was going to hit you hard, and you were going to feel it for a while.

Jim Porter, President and CEO of the Hall of Fame

The team changed the avatar of its X account to the name of Easley and his number 45, which they retired when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017. Easley’s career ended after the 1987 season due to a serious kidney disease, forcing him to retire at age 28. He sued the Seahawks, alleging that the high doses of ibuprofen prescribed by the team damaged his kidneys, and that the team allowed him to play his final season without informing him of the problem. Both parties reached an out-of-court settlement. The former Seahawks owner, Paul Allen, who bought the team in 1997, facilitated a reconciliation when he approached Easley in 2002. The team included Easley in its Ring of Honor that same year. In the past offseason, the Seahawks named Easley as one of the 50 best players in franchise history.

As a man of faith, Kenny will always be remembered as a beloved member of the Seahawks family and his legacy will live on as an inspiration to fans around the world. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Gail, and his children Kendrick, Gabrielle, and Giordanna.

Statement from the Seattle Seahawks team