Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid opened up Wednesday about the recent, heartbreaking passing of former defensive lineman Allen Bailey, telling reporters his “hearts go out to his family.” Reid didn’t hold back, calling Bailey’s death “way too young, obviously,” and remembering him as “one of my favorite players” and a “great, great kid.” The news is just crushing for anyone who followed his career.
A Gut-Wrenching Loss For The Chiefs Family
It’s terrible to hear this kind of news. According to a report from TMZ, Bailey’s wife found him dead yesterday inside their Florida home, with his family believing he passed from natural causes. Reid spoke from the heart, clearly still reeling from the loss. He said, “It’s terrible. It’s terrible, terrible, especially with all the good he does, and you know, and he’s got a family and that whole thing. That’s a sad deal. I know his father passed away young too, and it’s just, you know, it’s life, but it makes you sick when you know it happens to somebody that young.” It really highlights the human side of the game, and how much these guys mean to their coaches and teammates.
More Than A Defensive Lineman: Bailey’s Unforgettable Spirit
What a guy. Reid painted such a vivid picture of Bailey, recalling him as “just a good guy.” He even shared a classic story that perfectly sums up Bailey’s personality: “I drive in every morning, coal miner rode there, and I don’t see a possum, and he was a big hunter. And I say, ‘Saw a possum out there.’ He goes, ‘Don’t eat those possums. They eat garbage. I get the ones that eat the chestnuts.’” That’s just classic Bailey, an outdoorsman through and through, and totally “dirty tough” on the field, giving an “honest down every snap.” He was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft after starring at the University of Miami, spending eight seasons with KC before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2019. Throughout his career, he played 133 regular-season games, notching 22 sacks and 248 combined tackles. A solid, consistent player, absolutely.
Allen Bailey clearly left an undeniable mark on everyone who knew him, from the locker room to the field. His legacy as a tough, honest player and a genuinely good guy will definitely live on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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