Kenny Easley

Kenny Easley was selected in the first round, 4th overall, out of UCLA by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1981 NFL Draft. The Seahawks safety was an intimidating defensive force during his seven-year tenure in Seattle.

Easley made an immediate impact on the Seahawks’ defense earning AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1981 after returning three interceptions for 155 yards, including one for an 82-yard touchdown. He also made a career-high four fumble recoveries. Easley rightfully earned his nickname as “The Enforcer” for this style of play on the field.

An all-around great athlete, he continued to earn recognition for his abilities including AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1983. That season, he recorded seven interceptions which he returned for 106 yards and posted a career-high three sacks.

The safety was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1984 by the Associated Press when he registered a league-leading and career-best 10 interceptions and two pick-sixes. Easley earned first-team All-Pro honors in four straight seasons from 1982 to 1985.

During his career, Easley amassed 32 interceptions which he returned for 538 yards and three touchdowns in 89 career games. He was also a dominating tackler before the stat was readily tracked and had eight career sacks.

In all, Easley was named to five Pro Bowls and was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s in addition to his many other honors he earned along his relatively short but highly impactful career.

Big hitter, Seahawks legend: Kenny Easley, 1959-2025

Pro Football Hall of Famer Kenny Easley passed away Nov. 14, 2025, at the age of 66.

“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,” said Jim Porter, president & CEO of the Hall.

“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.”

Read the full tribute article and watch a video honoring Easley here.