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Kenny Easley
1959 - 2025
Kenny Easley
1959 - 2025
Obituary
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Kenny Easley Obituary
Born January 15, 1959, in Chesapeake, Virginia, Easley attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he became a three-time consensus All-American and the first player in Pac-10 history to earn first-team all-conference honors four times.
The Seahawks drafted him fourth overall in 1981, and during his seven-season career, he recorded 32 interceptions, leading the NFL with ten in 1984. He won Defensive Player of the Year honors that same season.
Although a kidney disease prematurely ended his playing days, the franchise ultimately retired his No. 45. He was inducted into Seattle's Ring of Honor in 2002; he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Easley's career and legacy resonated well beyond the field. Known by the nickname "The Enforcer," he became a symbol of toughness and excellence at the safety position-earning wide respect as one of the game's most dominant defensive backs of his era.
Off the field, he navigated serious health challenges, including a kidney transplant in 1990 after a prolonged dispute over medication use while playing.
Easley is survived by his wife, Gail, and children Kendrick, Gabrielle, and Giordanna.
By Legacy News Staff
(Image: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
45 Entries
Marcella Forest
January 16, 2026
It was wonderful volunteering for such a great individual through the Pacific Northwest. May the Lord grace and mercy, comfort, and protect the family! As his soul rest in peace!
Glenda Murray Kelly
January 16, 2026
Rest in peace Kenny we love you in Chesapeake your hometown
Michael Maxwell
December 21, 2025
One of my top three favorite Seahawks players. A spark plug and very entertaining playing style!
Bruce Butler
December 16, 2025
By the Lord God, what a football talent.. I loved watching him play and made all hawk fans sit up and take notice. Thank you Kenny for your love and faith
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Patricia Newton, Retired Leschi School Principal
December 6, 2025
My condolences to the Easley Family on the loss of your precious loved one. I will keep you in my prayers.
Carathene Crump
December 5, 2025
Condolences to the Easley and Armstrong Families in the loss of Kenny.He will be remembered as a young man on Transylvania Ave in Chesapeake as well as a great football player in high school and professional.May the memories of his life bring comfort to the families as a community advocate and family man.
Jonathan "Toots" Miller
December 5, 2025
Your heart soon will be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Tony
December 5, 2025
To the family, many, many friends, and fans of this great person fine comfort with you during this difficult time in your lives Kenneth Mason "Kenny" Easley Jr., who played and loved the game of football. Kenneth Mason "Kenny" Easley Jr., was a standout defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kenneth Mason "Kenny" Easley Jr., had a great career in football and in his community. May you find comfort in your wealth of fond memories together with Kenneth Mason "Kenny" Easley Jr. May the love and many, many special memories you have shared with your devoted loved one show how much your life was touched by him. May the God of comfort bless your grieving hearts with strength, loving kindness and peace as the world copes with the loss of Kenneth Mason "Kenny" Easley Jr. We will never forget that Kenneth Mason "Kenny" Easley Jr., was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame what a tremendous goal and accomplishment. May family, friends and extended family cherish his memories.
J Hoffman
December 5, 2025
He was an amazing player who will never be forgotten. I send my condolences to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed. RIP Kenny.
Patricia Wingate
November 30, 2025
Thanks for being the beacon you were to our community. You will
truly be missed
Ange Hendy
November 26, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God comfort you. The Hendy family.
Amanda Gilliland
November 26, 2025
Your heart soon will be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Deborah Ross
November 25, 2025
My deepest condolences to the family of Kenny Easley. I still have a photograph and great memories back in the 70´s when he attended my sweet sixteen birthday party. I will cherish those childhood days. May God continue to comfort his wife, children and family.
Thomas Moyler sr.
November 25, 2025
Sorry for your loss,
Arthur Akers
November 25, 2025
Missing you my Brother. Thanks for everything.
Arthur V. Akers
Amanda Gilliland
November 25, 2025
To the Easley family, may god watch over you. He is a good football player and won games for the Seahawks. He's at peace and now. Rest in peace.
ANNETTE JONES
November 24, 2025
Easley-Armstrong family, please accept our heartfelt condolences. You all are in our prayers.
Mechelle Flora Everett
November 23, 2025
Condolences to the family,going to miss you cuz !! I remember Poncho, I haven´t heard that nickname in a while,lol . Kenny was in my homeroom class at Oscar Smith .He was so funny back then . Rest in peace,and my prayers go to the family,hang in there,his wife and kids,and Patricia,God has him now! Lean on God ,he will Comfort you,and give you peace and strength!! Remember Joy,comes in the Morning.
Minister Mechelle Flora Everett
Apostle Larry Everett
Manda Gilliland,
November 23, 2025
To the family of Kenny Easley may he watch over you. I remember him with the Seahawks about 50yrs ago
Santiago Javier
November 22, 2025
Will forever be grateful to Mr. Easley. He helped my son be a better person. Condolences to his family, he was a great man.
Darryl Owens. Portsmouth,Va.
November 22, 2025
To God be the Glory.We Extend Our Condolences to the Easley Family on the Passing Of Kenny. Rip.God Bless You All. Darryl Owens and Family.
Charles Willis
November 22, 2025
My sincere condolences to all of the family and friends.
Garland Cooper
November 21, 2025
Poncho was a great guy who put South Norfolk on the map when it came down to Sports. My condolences goes out to his entire family.
Debra Fontenette New Iberia, La 70563
November 21, 2025
Gail so saddened by the loss of Kenny, deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family during this difficult time!
Denise Freeman
November 21, 2025
I still remember the days, you, Tyrone,Junie & Darrell used to play football & I wanted to play also but girls couldn't play. We all will miss you Kenny, Rest In Heaven.
Michael Scott
November 20, 2025
Sorry for your loss Easley family.
May the God of all comfort give you solice during this time of distress.
Scottie
Steven Edwards
November 20, 2025
My family and I would like to express our condolences on the passing of Kenny.
I competed against Kenny in his junior and senior years of high school in basketball and track. He was as competitive in those sports as he was in football. He was a great triple jumper who was always supporting his fellow jumpers. Rest in peace my friend.
Steven Edwards
I. C. Norcom Alumni (1977)
Diane Chino
November 20, 2025
I am so very sorry to hear of Kenny´s passing. He was truly an exceptional man in so many ways.
Howard Finck
November 20, 2025
Kenny spend a lot of time giving to the community, including the kids at the organization I was affiliated with. God bless him.
Laura Toussaint
November 20, 2025
Kenny wrote me a letter in 1986 when I was 11. My sixth grade class was putting on a play in which the theme was what makes America great, and we were asked to contact someone that we admired and asked them to share their perspective on that question. I wrote to Kenny and led with this: "Dear Kenny, I think it´s cool how you jump over all of those guys in football," because watching him play was one of my favorite memories of my childhood. I have saved his letter all of these years as one of my treasured keepsakes. I would like to share it here with his loved ones to let them know that I am just one of many people that he had a powerful impact on. This world is better because of Kenny's time here. May his loving soul fly free in that great football field in the sky. Sending my love and prayers to his family and friends.
Michael Audie Wroton
November 19, 2025
The Truitt Jr. High Football Team of '70,'71 Chesapeake City Champions mourn the loss of Kenny Easley, We will always remember Kenny as a stand out and stand up football player! God Bless his Family in this time of loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Michael (Audie) Wroton
James Burnham, Jr.
November 19, 2025
Sorry to hear about are loss of you. RIP.
RB
November 19, 2025
An incredible NFL player, he was a great part of the Seahawks. His playing on the field and demeanor off the field made him one of a kind. Sincere condolences to the Easley family, so very sorry for your loss. May God give peace and comfort to you all as you go through this most difficult time,
Simon Alarcon
November 18, 2025
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
The Alarcon Family.
Sandy White
November 18, 2025
Sorry to hear about Kenny passing
We went to Oscar Smith together.
Kenny always was a kind and caring person.
Keeping the family in my prayers.
Sharon (White) Spikes
November 18, 2025
I went to school with Kenny in Chesapeake Virginia, I´m so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for the family.
Doris Riley
November 18, 2025
The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Jenee D.
November 18, 2025
I am so sorry to hear about Kenny. May you continue to be surrounded by and comforted with the love and support you need, fond memories, and the knowledge that he is safe in God´s memory.
MM
November 18, 2025
Deepest condolences to the Easley family.
Robin
November 18, 2025
Although our teams didn't play each other often(Bears- NFC Central; Seahawks- AFC West), besides trying to keep up with Largent and that rising offense, there was you, ONE OF THE BEST SAFETIES EVER, and that young talented defense. I was saddened when you had to retire because of your health, and elated when you became an NFL Hall Of Famer. I'm sorry to hear of your loss to your family, I was a great fan of yours.
Heidi (Lewis) Berday
November 17, 2025
So sorry to hear of Kenny's passing and health issues. I was a college intern for him at Makena's Sports, and worked for him directly. He expected excellence, was a great leader. Beyond sports, he loved his family and was a legend in Seattle and I saw this everyday when I worked with him. Gail (my mother was Cheryl Lewis- a realtor and considered you her friend-- she passed 7 years ago but had the utmost regard for Kenny and you. My deepest sympathy to your family.
Rosemary
November 17, 2025
My condolences to the family and friends of my Bruin classmate, Mr. Easley, rest in eternal peace.
Charlie Best
November 17, 2025
Sorry to hear of the passing of your loved one. Undoubtedly, Kenny lived his dream of becoming a football players. Being a part of the NFL
gave Kenny the opportunity to entertain many people. His memory of entertaining others will live on in the memories of those who knew Kenny. May Kenny rest peacefully in the memory of our Heavenly Father.
Christine Phelps
November 17, 2025
I watched the Hall of Fame Game when Kenny Easley was inducted in the Hall of Fame R.I.P. to Kenny Easley you made Chesapeake proud sending prayers and condolences to the family
Susan
November 17, 2025
I loved watching Kenny play.
My condolences.
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