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 Bailey’s wife found him dead inside their Florida home on Tuesday.
The news prompted a wave of tributes from former teammates. Colin McCarthy, who played with Bailey at the University of Miami before going on to the Tennessee Titans, posted: “Lost a fellow brother today… prayers to AB family!
Love you Big Cuzzo!” Former Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen also shared a message on X: “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.
In 2013, he told Star columnist Vahe Gregorian, “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 begin organized football until seventh grade, but he made his mark at McIntosh County Academy in Georgia and then became a star at the University of Miami.
The Chiefs picked Bailey in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he stayed with Kansas City through the 2018 season. Over that stretch, he made 70 starts, recorded 22 sacks and finished with 248 tackles.
His size and style earned him the nickname “Hulk,” and former teammate 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 had a moment every Chiefs fan remembers: he scored a touchdown in the 2018 “Monday Night Football” thriller the Chiefs lost 54-51 to the Rams.
After leaving Kansas City, Bailey spent two seasons with the Falcons before turning his attention to helping kids. The Allen Bailey Foundation described its work as including “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 former Chiefs shared their grief after the report of his death was confirmed. Husain Abdullah wrote on X: ”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.”
Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones also posted on Instagram stories and wrote: “Rip my brotha! This one hurt AB”
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