Former Chiefs Defensive End Allen Bailey Dies at 37
Bailey, a 10-year NFL veteran nicknamed "The Hulk" who spent eight seasons in Kansas City and two with the Falcons, was found dead Tuesday at his Florida home. Coach Andy Reid called him "one of my favorite players" as teammates paid tribute Wednesday.
Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey, a 10-year NFL veteran known as “The Hulk” for his 6-foot-3, 288-pound frame, has died at 37.
Bailey was found dead Tuesday at his Florida home, his brother Alford Bailey Jr. told TMZ. His family believes he died of natural causes, according to the outlet. No official cause of death had been released as of Wednesday afternoon.
“Our hearts go out to his family,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said to open his Wednesday news conference. “Prayers are with them. Way too young, obviously. One of my favorite players. Great kid. Just sorry to see that happened to him.” Reid added later: “It’s terrible, especially with all the good he did. He’s got a family and that’s a sad deal. It makes you sick when it happens to somebody that young.”
A decade in the trenches
Kansas City selected Bailey in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Miami. He spent eight seasons with the Chiefs (2011-18) and two with the Atlanta Falcons (2019-20), appearing in 133 regular-season games with 70 starts. Across his career he recorded 248 tackles, 22 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries, one returned for a touchdown. He also played in six playoff games, starting five, with 10 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Bailey first picked up the “Hulk” nickname as a freshman at Miami, where he was a two-time All-ACC selection and recorded 107 tackles and 19 sacks in 50 college games. After serving as a backup early in his pro career, he won a starting role in 2014, recording five sacks in 12 starts, and signed a four-year, $25 million extension midway through that season.
Teammates pay tribute
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who played two seasons alongside Bailey, said Wednesday that Bailey was the first person he saw when he entered the locker room after being drafted in 2017. “This isn’t the Big 12 anymore,” Mahomes recalled thinking. “It was surreal to see him, and so I tell that story every single year.”
The Chiefs said in a statement: “Allen Bailey was an excellent teammate, generous man, and kind soul. We’re deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.” The Falcons posted: “Rest in peace, Allen Bailey. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.” Former Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen wrote: “Lost a teammate, a friend, a brother.”
Reporting based on coverage by Reuters and USA Today.
