Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey has died. He was 37.
Bailey’s body was found by his brother, Alford Bailey Jr., inside their Florida home on Tuesday, October 20, according to TMZ. The family believes Allen died of natural causes. No official cause of death has been announced.
Following a standout college career at the University of Miami, Allen was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Allen played seven seasons in Kansas City before playing the final two seasons of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons.
Former Miami football player Colin McCarthy mourned Allen’s death on social media.
“Lost a fellow brother today…prayers to AB family! Love you Big Cuzzo!” McCarthy, 38, shared via X on Tuesday.
Journalist Kevin Clark, a Miami alum, said Allen was “a classmate of mine and an impossibly good dude.”
“He was obviously a great player – he played 10 years in the league – but he was also a sharp and kind soul,” Clark, 37, wrote via X on Wednesday, October 21. “He’ll be missed by everyone who knew him.”
Former Chiefs guard Jeff Allen shared via X on Monday, “Lost a teammate, a friend, a brother. God needed another angel. Rest easy, my brother. 🕊️🙏🏽.”
Allen’s cousin Antoine Armstrong said he “couldn’t believe it” when he got the phone call about the football player’s death.
“You showed everyone what it looked like to live out a dream…from being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons to playing for the Kansas City Chiefs,” Armstrong shared via Facebook on Tuesday. “You gave so many people someone to cheer for and a reason to believe their dreams were possible, too. Life truly is but a vapor.”
He continued, “Man, Allen Bailey, the McIntosh [Georgia] community will miss you. You were a light, and the love you shared and the lives you touched will not be forgotten. Rest easy, cousin. I’ll never forget all the times we had together growing up bro.”
After retiring from the NFL, Allen routinely gave back to his community in southeast coastal Georgia and Florida via the Allen Bailey Foundation.
According to the foundation’s website, the organization offers “football camps, community events, and digital resources tailored to foster talent and promote academic readiness.”
“With a decade of NFL experience, Allen brings a unique perspective to mentor and guide participants,” the site added. “ABF stands out for its commitment to holistic growth, providing valuable resources both in on-site and remote formats.”
