Former Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey has died at the age of 37, according to multiple reports.
No cause of death was announced. Bailey’s brother, Alford Bailey Jr., told TMZ that Allen’s wife found him dead inside their Florida home on Tuesday.
Bailey spent eight of his 10 NFL seasons with Kansas City after the Chiefs drafted him in the third round in 2011. He played for the team through the 2018 season, starting 70 games and finishing with 22 sacks and 248 tackles. He later spent two seasons with the Falcons before ending his career.
News of Bailey’s death quickly brought tributes from former teammates and friends across the league.
Colin McCarthy, who played with Bailey at the University of Miami and later for the Tennessee Titans, wrote on social media: “Lost a fellow brother today… prayers to AB family! Love you Big Cuzzo!”
Former Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen posted: “Lost a teammate, a friend, a brother. God needed another angel.
Rest easy, my brother. 🕊️🙏🏽”
Bailey’s path to the NFL started far from the spotlight. He grew up in Hog Hammock, Georgia on Sapelo Island, about a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland.
Speaking to Star columnist Vahe Gregorian in 2013, Bailey said: “We couldn’t go too far because you could get lost,” Bailey told Star columnist Vahe Gregorian in 2013 about growing up on the island. “That’s all we did, really: walk around.
It was adventurous. You didn’t have the dangers of a city life, cars.
You could play in the streets all day.”
He didn’t start organized football until seventh grade, but he became a standout at McIntosh County Academy in Georgia before catching the attention of the University of Miami, where he starred for the Hurricanes.
With the Chiefs, Bailey earned the nickname “Hulk” because of his size and power. Dee Ford put it plainly in 2014: “It’s perfect,” Dee Ford told the Star’s Terez A.
Paylor in 2014. “ Looks like the Hulk.
Plays like the Hulk. He’s a complete player, man.
He’s powerful, fast. He’s just a freak.
You see him do certain stuff … there’s a select few guys in the league like that.”
Bailey also left one unforgettable play behind. He scored a touchdown in the Chiefs’ 54-51 loss to the Rams in the 2018 “Monday Night Football” shootout.
After his playing days, Bailey turned his focus toward helping children through the Allen Bailey Foundation. The foundation said its outreach included “football camps, community events, and digital resources tailored to foster talent and promote academic readiness.
With a decade of NFL experience, Allen brings a unique perspective to mentor and guide participants. ABF stands out for its commitment to holistic growth, providing valuable resources both in on-site and remote formats.”
More tributes followed as the news spread. Husain Abdullah wrote: “To God we belong and to Him is our return.
Great teammate. Even greater person.
Sad news on Allen Bailey. Love you brotha”
Mitch Morse said: “Allen Bailey was a brilliant spirit. He was kind, he was generous, he was good.”
Mike DeVito added: “Like (late Jets center Nick) Mangold almost exactly one year ago, this is really hard to fathom. AB was an amazing human being.
Truly amazing. Unreal.
Love you, 97.”
Matt Cassel wrote: “So sad to hear about Allen Bailey. He was a great teammate and person. Prayers go out to his loved ones.”
And Chris Jones posted on Instagram stories: “Rip my brotha! This one hurt AB”
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