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Seattle Seahawks Legend, Hall Of Famer Dead At 66

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Nov 15, 2025 2:40 PM ET

The NFL world and particularly the Seattle Seahawks are in mourning this weekend as Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley passed away. He was 66 years old.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame released a statement, praising Easley for his incredible NFL career, which spanned from 1981 to 1987.

"Kenny Easley would have been a dominant safety in any era. When he was enshrined in 2017, he took his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and embraced his football immortality," Hall of Fame President & CEO Jim Porter said in a statement.

"Kenny possessed excellent ball skills, but make no mistake: His biggest strengths were his fearlessness and intensity. If you had the ball as an opposing offensive player, he was going to hit you hard - and you were going to feel it for a while.

"The Hall of Fame staff sends its condolences to Kenny's wife, Gail, and the entire Easley family."

From @ProFootballHOF on the passing of #Seahawks Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley at the age of 66. pic.twitter.com/tlmt0895CW
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 15, 2025

Easley's Career

Easley played all seven of his NFL seasons for the Seahawks in a career that included five Pro Bowls, five All-Pro selections and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1984. He was a renown ball hawk during the 80s, recording 32 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries, eight sacks and three defensive touchdowns.

In 2002, Easley was inducted into the Seahawks' Ring of Honor. His No. 45 jersey was retired by the team in 2017. For his contributions to both the NFL and his standout career at UCLA, Easley was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 15: A Seattle Seahawks helmet sits on top a locker on the sidelines during the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers on December 15, 2019 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte,NC. (Photo by Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Fans on social media have paid tribute to Easley by highlighting how he changed the entire safety position in the 80s:

"Easley changed the way that position was played, pure intensity every snap. Tough loss for anyone who grew up watching those defenses," one user wrote on X.

"Was the first Sean Taylor," another lamented.

"Ah man. RIP Kenny. Let alone the best safety or even DB , he's arguably the best defensive player in franchise history. Even with damn injuries he was a HoFer," a third wrote.

"The best safety to ever wear a #Seahawks uni and one of the most ferocious safeties in NFL history."

Our hearts go out to Easley's family and loved ones.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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