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Former Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley has died at the age of 66, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Saturday.
Easley’s family said he died Friday evening and did not provide a cause of death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Seahawks legend Kenny Easley,” the Seahawks said in a statement. “Kenny embodied what it meant to be a Seahawk through his leadership, tenacity, intensity and fearlessness. His intimidating nature and athletic grace made him one of the best players of all time.”
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Former Seahawks player and NFL Hall of Famer Kenny Easley acknowledges the crowd as his number is retired during halftime between the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts at CenturyLink Field on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Seahawks drafted Easley out of UCLA with the fourth overall pick in 1981, and the safety became a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro in seven seasons in Seattle, where he spent his entire career.
In 1984, Easley led the league with 10 interceptions and was named Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He was the first player in franchise history to be named Defensive Player of the Year.
However, his career ended after the 1987 season when he was traded to the Cardinals, in part due to kidney disease which shortened his NFL career. But he failed his physical and never played another in the NFL.
Easley believed the Seahawks knew about his kidney problem and did not disclose it to him. The Seahawks and Easley began to reconcile in 2002 when Paul Allen was the team’s owner, which coincided with Easley’s induction into the ring of honor that fall.
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Easley finished his career with 32 interceptions, which ranks fourth in franchise history, along with 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and eight sacks.
At UCLA, Easley played free safety under coach Terry Donahue from 1977 to 1980. He made an immediate impact for the Bruins, joining the starting lineup as a true freshman and ultimately becoming the first player in Pac-10 history to earn four first-team All-Conference honors.
He was only the second player in program history to be voted a three-time consensus All-American.
Easley still holds the UCLA school record with 19 career interceptions, including 13 in his first two seasons. He ranks fifth on UCLA’s all-time list of tackles with 374, with his 93 stops in 1977 representing the most by a Bruin true freshman.
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Kenny Easley of the Seattle Seahawks against the Indianapolis Colts at CenturyLink Field on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Easley totaled 105 tackles during the 1980 campaign, after which he finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. He also returned punts during his time at UCLA. His No. 5 jersey was retired by the university.
He is survived by his wife, Gail, and their three children: his son, Kendrick, and his daughters Gabrielle Manhertz and Giordanna.
