SEATTLE (AP) — Former Seattle Seahawks security Kenny Easley, who was nicknamed “The Enforcer” for his laborious hitting, has died, the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame introduced Saturday. He was 66.
Easley died Friday evening, his household advised the corridor, which didn’t present a reason for dying.
Easley is certainly one of simply 4 gamers in franchise historical past — alongside Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy and Walter Jones — to spend his complete profession with the Seahawks and be named to the Corridor of Fame. He was inducted in 2017 and his No. 45 was retired by the Seahawks that season.
“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Seahawks legend Kenny Easley,” the Seahawks stated in a press release. “Kenny embodied what it meant to be a Seahawk by his management, toughness, depth and fearlessness. His intimidating nature and athletic grace made him probably the greatest gamers of all time.”
The Chesapeake, Virginia, native was a five-time Professional Bowler and three-time All-Professional participant throughout his seven seasons in Seattle. The Seahawks drafted Easley out of UCLA with the No. 4 total choose in 1981.
His greatest season was in 1984, when Easley led the NFL with 10 interceptions and was named defensive participant of the 12 months by The Related Press. He was the primary participant in franchise historical past to be named defensive participant of the 12 months, doing so for a group that compelled a franchise-record 63 turnovers that season.
Nonetheless, Easley’s departure from the Seahawks was marred by controversy. He was traded after the 1987 season, partially due to a kidney ailment that shortened his NFL profession. He was traded to the Cardinals and failed his bodily. He by no means performed one other down and believed the big doses of painkillers he took as a participant led to his kidney points.
Easley believed the Seahawks knew of the kidney situation and didn’t disclose it to him. The Seahawks and Easley began to reconcile in 2002 when Paul Allen was the group proprietor, which coincided with Easley getting inducted into the ring of honor that fall.
George Gojkovich through Getty Photos
Easley completed his profession with 32 interceptions, which is tied for fourth most in franchise historical past, in addition to 11 fumble recoveries, 9 compelled fumbles and eight sacks.
At UCLA, Easley starred at free security beneath coach Terry Donahue from 1977-1980. He made a right away influence for the Bruins, becoming a member of the beginning lineup as a real freshman and finally changing into the primary participant in Pac-10 historical past to garner 4 first-team All-Convention accolades.
He was simply the second participant in program historical past to be voted a three-time consensus All-American.
Easley nonetheless holds the UCLA faculty document with 19 profession interceptions, together with 13 throughout his first two seasons. He ranks fifth on UCLA’s all-time tackles listing with 374, together with his 93 stops in 1977 representing probably the most by a Bruin true freshman.
Easley totaled 105 in the course of the 1980 marketing campaign, after which he completed ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. He additionally returned punts throughout his time at UCLA. His No. 5 jersey was retired by the college.
He’s survived by his spouse, Gail, and their three kids — son, Kendrick, and daughters Gabrielle Manhertz and Giordanna.
