Former Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey dies aged 37
Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Allen Bailey has died aged 37; his brother says his wife found him at their Florida home on Tuesday and the family believes he died of natural causes.
KANSAS CITY — Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Allen Bailey has died at the age of 37, the Chiefs confirmed on Wednesday.
Bailey’s brother, Alford Bailey Jr., told TMZ Sports that Bailey’s wife, Lauren, found him dead on Tuesday inside their Florida home. No foul play is suspected, the family believes he died of natural causes, and no official cause of death has been announced.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who coached Bailey from 2013 to 2018, confirmed the news at his Wednesday press conference: “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.”
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes paid tribute: “A great teammate — one of those glue guys on the team.”
Bailey was drafted 86th overall in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by Kansas City out of the University of Miami. He spent eight seasons with the Chiefs (2011–2018) and two with the Falcons, retiring after the 2020 season following his release in February 2021. Across 133 games (70 starts) he recorded 248 tackles, 22 sacks, four forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
The Sapelo Island, Georgia native attended McIntosh County Academy. Former teammates including Dwayne Bowe, Jeff Allen and Colin McCarthy paid tribute on social media.
Sources: TSN (https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/article/chiefs-confirm-death-of-bailey-at-37/), Bleacher Report (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25517691-allen-bailey-dies-37-former-nfl-de-played-chiefs-and-falcons)
IMAGE-SUBJECT: PASS — I opened allen-bailey-former-chiefs-defensive-end-dead-at-37.jpg and read it: it shows Allen Bailey himself, an adult, in a red Kansas City Chiefs jersey bearing his number 97, photographed during the Chiefs’ 2015 visit to Rosecrans Air National Guard Base. Correct person, correct team, correct number. Photo: U.S. Air National Guard, public domain — licence confirmed on the Wikimedia Commons file page.
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