Former NFL defensive end Allen Bailey died at his home in Florida on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. The 2011 third-round pick was 37 years old.
Bailey’s wife found him unresponsive on Tuesday. The family believes he died of natural causes, Alford Bailey Jr., Allen’s brother, told TMZ. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Bailey spent 10 seasons in the NFL, including eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs. He tallied 22 sacks in his career, appearing in 133 total games. The Miami product retired after the 2020 season, following a two-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons.
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“This is so sad,” former Chiefs offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz said on social media. “Such a good person and teammate.”
The tributes kept pouring in for the player affectionately known as Hulk for his imposing size and strength.
“Lost a teammate, a friend, a brother. God needed another angel,” Jeff Allen, another former Chiefs lineman, said on social media. “Rest easy, my brother.”
“He was dirty, tough,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Talk about giving an honest down, he’d give you an honest down every snap.”
Bailey’s career peaked in 2018, during a famed “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The two teams, buoyed by high-powered offenses, entered the game with a combined 18-2 record.
Bailey recorded a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery in the second quarter. It immediately led to a touchdown as Kansas City took a 17-16 lead.
The edge rusher recovered another fumble — this time returning it two yards for a touchdown — in the fourth quarter to give the Chiefs a 44-40 advantage. The Rams ultimately came back to win the instant classic 54-51.
“I had many a fumble recovery, but never a defensive touchdown,” Bailey told the Kansas City Star after the game. “It was cool.”
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