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Former Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley has died at the age of 66, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Saturday.
Easley’s family said he died Friday night and did not provide a cause of death.
“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 best players of all time.”
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Former Seahawks player and NFL Hall of Fame member Kenny Easley acknowledges the crowd as his number is retired during halftime between the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts at CenturyLink Field Oct. 1, 2017, in Seattle. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Seahawks drafted Easley out of UCLA with the No. 4 overall pick in 1981, and the safety became a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro player in seven seasons in Seattle, where he spent his entire career.
In 1984, Easley led the league 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.
His career ended after the 1987 season when he was traded to the Cardinals, partly due to a kidney ailment that shortened his NFL career. He failed his physical and never played another down in the NFL.
Easley believed the Seahawks knew of the kidney condition and didn’t disclose it to him. The Seahawks and Easley started to reconcile in 2002 when Paul Allen was the team owner, which coincided with Easley being inducted into the team’s ring of honor that fall.
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Easley finished his career with 32 interceptions, which is tied for fourth most in franchise history, and 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and eight sacks.
At UCLA, Easley starred at free safety under coach Terry Donahue from 1977-1980. He made an immediate impact with the Bruins, joining the starting lineup as a true freshman and becoming the first player in Pac-10 history named to four first-team All-Conference teams.
He was just the second player in program history to be voted a three-time consensus All-American.
Easley still holds the UCLA record with 19 career interceptions, including 13 during 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.
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Kenny Easley of the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field Oct. 1, 2017, in Seattle. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Easley totaled 105 tackles during the 1980 campaign, after which he finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. He also returned punts 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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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