Former Chiefs and Falcons defensive end Allen Bailey dies at 37
In short
Allen Bailey, who played eight seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs and two for the Atlanta Falcons, has died at age 37. He was found dead at his home in Florida; the Guardian US reported he is believed to have died from natural causes. Chiefs coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke of their sadness.
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Allen Bailey, a former defensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, died at age 37, according to Newsweek, the Guardian US and Reuters. Newsweek reported that he was found dead in his home in Florida. The Guardian US said his wife found him and that he is believed to have died from natural causes. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The documents differ on the day. Newsweek said he was found on Monday, while the Guardian US said Tuesday. [ 1 , 2 ]
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said: 'It's terrible, especially with all the good he [did]. He's got a family and that's a sad deal. I know his father passed away young, too. It makes you sick when it happens to somebody that young. He was one of my favorite players, a great kid. I'm just sorry to see that happened to him.' [ 2 ]
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who spent two seasons with Bailey after being drafted by the Chiefs in 2017, said Bailey was the first person he saw when he stepped into the locker room after the draft. He called him a great teammate and 'one of those glue guys on the team', and said: 'We're praying for his family.' Mahomes added that teammates have talked and will do whatever they can to support the family. [ 2 ]
The Guardian US reported that Bailey grew up on Sapelo Island, a barrier island off Georgia accessible only by boat with a population of fewer than 70 people. He played college football for Miami and was a third-round draft pick of the Chiefs in 2011. He played for the team for eight seasons before spending the final two years of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The death of a former Chiefs player at 37 drew public tributes from the team's head coach and quarterback. The documents give no cause of death beyond a belief that it was natural.
Key facts
- Former defensive lineman Allen Bailey died at age 37. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Bailey was found dead at his home in Florida. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Guardian US reported that his wife found him and that he is believed to have died from natural causes. [ 2 ]
- Bailey was a third-round draft pick of the Chiefs in 2011 and played for them for eight seasons, then spent the final two years of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. [ 2 ]
- Chiefs head coach Andy Reid called Bailey 'one of my favorite players, a great kid'. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The day Bailey was found dead. Newsweek said Monday; the Guardian US said Tuesday.
- The cause of death. Only the Guardian US says he is believed to have died from natural causes; it does not say who holds that belief, and the other documents give no cause.