Seattle Seahawks legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley has died at the age of 66, the team announced on Saturday. Easley, known as 'The Enforcer,' played for the Seahawks from 1981 to 1987 before retiring early due to health issues. His career highlighted defensive excellence and team success in the 1980s.
Kenny Easley, a cornerstone of the Seattle Seahawks' defense in the 1980s, passed away at 66. The team shared the news in a statement expressing deep sadness, noting that Easley 'embodied what it meant to be a Seahawk through his leadership, intensity, and fearlessness.' His 'intimidating nature and athletic grace made him one of the best players of all-time,' the statement added.
Drafted fourth overall in the 1981 NFL Draft, Easley quickly established himself as a star. In his rookie season, he recorded three interceptions and four fumble recoveries, finishing fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Easley earned three consecutive first-team All-Pro honors from 1983 to 1985, amassing 19 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns during that period. In 1984, he led the NFL with 10 interceptions.
Easley's contributions were pivotal to the Seahawks' early success under coach Chuck Knox. He helped the team reach its first conference title game in 1983. His career spanned just six seasons, cut short by injuries and kidney disease. In 1988, a proposed trade to the Phoenix Cardinals failed after his kidney failure was discovered during a physical.
Post-retirement, Easley sued the Seahawks, alleging the team and medical staff enabled his ibuprofen abuse, which contributed to his condition. The case settled out of court, and he received a kidney transplant in 1990. Relations with the team improved over time, leading to his 2002 induction into the Seahawks' Ring of Honor. Following his 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement, the Seahawks retired his No. 45 jersey that fall.
Before the NFL, Easley starred at UCLA, earning All-American honors from 1978 to 1980, including unanimous selections in his final two years. He holds the Bruins' career interceptions record with 19, and his 374 tackles rank fifth in school history.