SEATTLE (AP) — Former Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley, nicknamed “The Enforcer” for his hard hitting, has died, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Saturday. He was 66.
Easley died Friday evening, his family told the audience, who did not give a cause of death.
Easley is one of only four players in franchise history – joining Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy and Walter Jones – to spend his entire career with the Seahawks and be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2017 and had his number 45 retired by the Seahawks that season.
“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, toughness, intensity and fearlessness. His intimidating nature and athletic grace made him one of the greatest players of all time.”
The native of Chesapeake, Virginia, was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro player during his seven seasons in Seattle. The Seahawks drafted Easley out of UCLA with the No. 4 overall pick in 1981.
His best season came in 1984, when Easley led the NFL 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, doing so for a team that forced a franchise record 63 turnovers that season.
However, Easley’s departure from the Seahawks was marred by controversy. He was traded after the 1987 season, in part due to a kidney ailment that shortened his NFL career. He was traded to the Cardinals and failed his physical. He never played another player and believed that the large doses of painkillers he took as a player led to his kidney problems.
Easley believed the Seahawks knew about the kidney condition and did not tell him. The Seahawks and Easley began reconciling in 2002 when Paul Allen was the team owner, which coincided with Easley being inducted into the Ring of Honor that fall.
George Gojkovich via Getty Images
Easley finished his career with 32 interceptions, which ranks fourth in franchise history, as well as 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and eight sacks.
At UCLA, Easley starred at 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 eventually 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 named an All-American three times.
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 tackles list with 374, with his 93 stops in 1977 representing the most by a Bruin true freshman.
Easley totaled 105 during the 1980 campaign before finishing ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. He also returned kicks 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: son Kendrick and daughters Gabrielle Manhertz and Giordanna.
