Chiefs pay tribute to former defensive end Allen Bailey after death at 37

The Kansas City Chiefs have paid tribute to former defensive end Allen Bailey, who has died at 37 after a 10-season NFL career. Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged his death on Wednesday, October 21, and the club issued a statement remembering his generosity and qualities as a teammate, Yahoo Sports reported.

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Bailey's brother, Alford Bailey Jr., told TMZ that his wife found him dead at their Florida home on Tuesday, according to KCTV. His family believes he died of natural causes, but no official cause of death had been announced. That belief remains a family account rather than a confirmed medical finding.

Reid, who coached Bailey for six seasons in Kansas City, remembered him as a personal favourite and expressed sympathy for his family. KCTV reported that the coach spoke about the difficulty of losing a former player so young. The team's statement also offered condolences to Bailey's friends and relatives.

Patrick Mahomes recalled being struck by Bailey's size when he first entered the Chiefs' locker room. The quarterback, who played alongside him for two seasons, said the memory remained a story he told each year. In comments carried by KCTV, Mahomes also emphasised Bailey's importance in bringing the team together.

Kansas City selected Bailey from the University of Miami in the third round of the 2011 draft. He spent eight seasons with the Chiefs and made 61 starts. According to Yahoo Sports, his Kansas City totals included 207 tackles, 19.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and six passes defended, along with one defensive touchdown.

That touchdown came against the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, when Bailey recovered a Jared Goff fumble in the fourth quarter and scored to put Kansas City ahead. The Chiefs eventually lost 54-51. Yahoo Sports reported that Bailey later spent two seasons with Atlanta, adding 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks before his release ahead of the 2021 season.

Bailey's work extended beyond football. KCTV reported that the Sapelo Island, Georgia, native established the Allen Bailey Foundation to support high school student-athletes and families in coastal Georgia and Florida. Former teammates from both Miami and Kansas City also shared tributes following news of his death.