Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Allen Bailey died Tuesday at 37.
Bailey’s brother, Alford Bailey Jr., told TMZ that Bailey’s wife found him dead at their Florida home on Tuesday. Bailey’s family believes he died of natural causes, according to TMZ. No official cause of death has been released.
“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 Chiefs posted in a statement.
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Allen Bailey gave a thumbs up to teammate Dustin Colquitt in the closing minute of the Chiefs’ 30-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 7, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Bailey played in the NFL for 10 seasons. The Chiefs drafted him in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Miami.
Bailey spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Chiefs before signing a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the Falcons in 2019. In March 2020, the Falcons gave Bailey a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension, but released him in 2021 to save $4.5 million. He never played in the NFL again.
In 10 seasons, Bailey played in 133 games (including 70 starts), recording 248 tackles and 22 sacks. Chiefs coach Andy Reid called him one of his favorite players.
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey scores a touchdown during an NFL game between the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 19, 2018, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. (Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Sad news, the passing of Allen Bailey. Our hearts go out to his family, prayers are with them. Way too young, obviously, one of my favorite players. Great kid, just sorry to see that happen to him,” Reid told reporters on Wednesday.
Bailey stood 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighed 288 pounds. Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes recalled a humorous story about Bailey while speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
“I tell this story kind of like every year, with [the quarterbacks], he was the first person I saw when I stepped into the locker room, I think it was after one of the drafts, they were in OTAs. I stepped in the locker room to see Allen Bailey and I’m like this isn’t the Big 12 anymore. It was surreal to see him. I tell that story every single year,” Mahomes told reporters on Wednesday.
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Allen Bailey No. 93 of the Atlanta Falcons scans the field during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 29, 2020. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“Obviously, it’s terrible to hear the news that we heard. A great teammate, you see him, he’s one of the glue guys on the team. He makes plays, not necessarily the superstar but kind of the guy who makes everything go. It was terrible to hear that news later last night and we’re praying for his family, and know that as teammates we talked, and we’re going to do whatever we can to support those guys.”
