Former Chiefs, Falcons Defensive End Allen Bailey Dies at 37
Bailey, a third-round draft pick in 2011, played 10 seasons in the NFL.
Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Allen Bailey died Tuesday at the age of 37. Bailey's brother, Alford Bailey Jr., told TMZ that Bailey's wife found him dead at their Florida home. The family believes he died of natural causes, though an official cause of death has not yet been released.
The Chiefs organization released a statement mourning his passing, calling him "an excellent teammate, generous man, and kind soul."
Bailey was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Miami. He played eight seasons with Kansas City before signing with the Falcons in 2019. He later signed a contract extension with Atlanta in March 2020 but was released in 2021.
In 10 NFL seasons, Bailey played in 133 games, recording 248 tackles and 22 sacks.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid remembered Bailey as one of his favorite players. "Great kid, just sorry to see that happen to him," Reid told reporters Wednesday. Kansas City star quarterback Patrick Mahomes also shared his thoughts, recalling Bailey as a foundational player when Mahomes first joined the team. "He makes plays, not necessarily the superstar but kind of the guy who makes everything go," Mahomes said.