One of the greatest Seattle Seahawks of all time has passed away.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Saturday that Kenny Easley, a staple of Seattle’s defenses in the 1980s, died on Friday at the age
of 66. No cause of death was revealed in the press release.
“Kenny always gave his all and held the game and his life at the highest standard,” his wife, Gail, said in a statement to the Hall of Fame
.Easley’s career may have only lasted seven seasons (all with Seattle), but he was impactful on the field as he was influential. As the fourth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, Easley was the enforcer at the strong safety position who was an unrelenting, punishing physical presence. The former UCLA star brought the ‘Boom’ before any of the Legion of Boom players was even born.
But Easley also had legendary ball skills. He won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1984 after picking off a league-high 10 passes, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Between 1983 and 1984 he had an astonishing 17 interceptions, as well as four fumble recoveries and three sacks.
Sadly, Easley’s career was cut short due to severe kidney disease, which resulted in a highly publicized and contentious lawsuit against the Seahawks organization. Easley alleged that excess ibuprofen use to treat an injured ankle led to irreversible kidney damage and ultimately a transplant in 1990. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court.
Seattle’s attempted trade of Easley to the Phoenix Cardinals in 1988 was voided because of his kidney disease. After retirement, Easley and the Seahawks organization were effectively estranged, and Easley effectively divorced himself from the game for well over a decade.
“I didn’t watch football for 15 years,” Easley said. “I didn’t watch college. I didn’t watch high school. I didn’t watch pro. For 15 years. That was the only way.”
Under the ownership of Paul Allen, the Seahawks and Easley eventually reconciled. He was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2002, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, and this past offseason he was named one of the top 50 Seahawks in franchise history. Easley’s iconic No. 45 is also retired by the organization.
The Seahawks released this statement on Easley’s death:
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 fearlessness. His intimidating nature and athletic grace made him one the best players of all-time. Earning his nickname “The Enforcer” for his hard-hitting play, Kenny was named to the 1980s All-Decade Team, piling up 32 interceptions over seven seasons, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Kenny was a five-time Pro-Bowler and three-time first-team AP All-Pro during his seven seasons in Seattle, and in 1984 he became the first player in franchise history to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was inducted into the Seahawks Ring of Honor in 2002 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
A man of faith, Kenny will forever 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 children Kendrick, Gabrielle and Giordanna.
RIP Kenny Easley.
