Seattle Seahawks legend Kenny Easley dies at 66
Seattle Seahawks legend Kenny Easley dies at 66
Kenny Easley, the hard-hitting Hall of Fame safety who embodied the heart and toughness of Seahawks football, has died at 66. A seven-year Seahawk and 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Easley was known to fans as “The Enforcer”, and was one of the most feared and respected defenders of his era.
SEATTLE - A legend in Seattle sports has passed away: Seahawks Hall of Famer Kenny Easley was 66 years old.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced that Easley died on Friday, Nov. 15, after years of battling health issues. "Kenny always gave his all and held the game and his life at the highest standard," his wife, Gail, told the Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Kenny Easley (Credit: Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks released a statement on Saturday about Easley, who came to be known as "The Enforcer."
"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…we extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Gail, and children Kendrick, Gabrielle and Giordanna," the statement read, in part.
In 1984, Kenny was the first player in franchise history to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The team also lowered their flag at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in memory of Easley on Saturday and changed their social media profile pictures to an image of "Easley 45."
Local perspective:
The famous Seahawks safety was also only the fourth player in franchise history to have his jersey, No. 45, retired. The honor was given to Easley 30 years after kidney failure forced him out of the game.
Kenny Easley (Credit: Seattle Seahawks)
Easley played just 89 games across seven seasons before his career ended in 1989. However, he earned a reputation as one of the hardest hitting defenders in NFL history.
Former Seahawks player and Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Jones recalled his friendship with Easley at a Seahawks event on Saturday.
"I’m an animal of watching people and how they move, and I definitely enjoyed the way that he moved and the way he wanted to change the community and I think a lot of guys want to do that and that’s why I come here and be a part of this, because you want to change the community and help the community," Jones told FOX 13.
"You go back and watch those guys on film, and they’re doing it the same way, competing real hard and going out there and leaving it out on the field, and Kenny definitely was a guy that left it out on the field," Jones continued.
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 05: Kenny Easley poses with his bust during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 5, 2017 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
The Seahawks selected Easley, a three-time consensus All-American at UCLA, with the No. 4 overall pick in 1981. Easley never worked out for the Seahawks. He didn't think the team would draft him, and he admits, he didn't want to play for a relatively new franchise in Seattle.
Easley made the most of it, becoming known for devastating hits and dazzling interceptions.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
WA baby hospitalized with botulism, leading to baby formula recall
Lenny Wilkens, legendary Seattle SuperSonics player and coach, dies at 88
Seattle to update street parking rates again — see what’s going up
Rad Power Bikes faces permanent closure at Seattle site
Seattle's SODO housing ordinance blocked after Port of Seattle wins lawsuit
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.