Hall of Fame S Kenny Easley dies at 66

“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Seahawks legend Kenny Easley,” a team statement reads partially. “Kenny embodied what it meant to be a Seahawk by way of his management, toughness, depth, and fearlessness. His intimidating nature and athletic grace made him probably the greatest gamers of all-time.”

Easley joined the Seahawks as a first-round choose in 1981 and spent his complete profession with the crew. Inside that span, he racked up quite a few accolades together with 5 Professional Bowl nods. Easley additionally secured first-team All-Professional honors yearly from 1983-85.

The UCLA product gained the Defensive Participant of the 12 months award in 1984. Easley was named to the NFL’s All-Decade crew for the Eighties. After a profession which included 95 mixed common and postseason video games, he was included within the Corridor of Fame class of 2017.

Nicknamed ‘the Enforcer,’ Easley developed a repute over the course of his adorned profession for his physicality. He additionally delivered constant performances by way of ball manufacturing, nevertheless. Easley racked up 32 interceptions, main the league with 10 through the 1984 marketing campaign (and returning two for touchdowns). He additionally recorded 9 compelled fumbles and was restricted to single digits by way of video games performed solely as soon as in a season.

A kidney ailment resulted in Easley’s profession ending on the age of 28. He sued the crew over allegations that giant doses of ibuprofen resulted within the harm to his kidneys and that the crew failed to tell him of the problem throughout his last season. A settlement out of courtroom was finally reached. The edges reconciled in 2002, and in that yr Easley was inducted into the Seahawks’ Ring of Honor.