BREAKING: Seattle Seahawks’ Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley has tragically passed away at the age of 66, the Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed today. Easley, known as “The Enforcer” for his formidable playing style, died on Friday night, October 13, 2023. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Easley’s impact on the game and the Seahawks franchise is immeasurable. He was one of only four players in Seahawks history—alongside legends Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy, and Walter Jones—to have spent his entire career with the team and be inducted into the Hall of Fame, an honor he received in 2017. The Seahawks honored Easley by retiring his jersey, No. 45, during the same season.
The Seahawks organization expressed their deep sadness in a statement:
“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.”
Easley was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro player during his seven seasons in Seattle. Drafted out of UCLA as the No. 4 overall pick in 1981, he made his mark early on, with his standout season in 1984 when he led the NFL with 10 interceptions and was named the Defensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press.
However, Easley’s journey with the Seahawks was marred by controversy towards the end of his career. After the 1987 season, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals due to a kidney ailment that ultimately cut his playing career short. Easley believed that the painkillers he took during his career contributed to his kidney issues, and he felt the Seahawks were aware of his condition without disclosing it to him.
Reconciliation began in 2002 when he was inducted into the Seahawks’ Ring of Honor on October 14, marking a significant moment of healing between the player and the franchise. Finishing his career with 32 interceptions, Easley ranks among the top players in Seahawks history, also recording 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles, and eight sacks.
He is survived by his wife, Gail, and their three children: son Kendrick and daughters Gabrielle and Giordanna. As fans and fellow players mourn his passing, the legacy of Kenny Easley will undoubtedly continue to resonate within the Seahawks community and the broader NFL landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as we remember the life and career of a true football icon.
