Patrick Mahomes Honors Former Chiefs Teammate Allen Bailey After His Death at 37
Mahomes called Bailey a 'glue guy' who made the team go, while Chiefs coach Andy Reid and the organization also expressed their condolences.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has shared an emotional tribute to his former teammate Allen Bailey, who died tragically at the age of 37.
Bailey's brother, Alford, told TMZ that Bailey's wife discovered his body in their Florida home on Tuesday. He reportedly died of natural causes.
Bailey was a defensive lineman for the Chiefs for eight seasons after being selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Mahomes joined the Chiefs in 2017, and two seasons later, became the starting quarterback.
Mahomes recalled Bailey being one of the first players he saw when he joined the Chiefs. "He was the first person I saw when I stepped into the locker room after the draft," Mahomes said Wednesday. "I see Allen Bailey and I'm like, 'This isn't [college] anymore.' It was surreal to see him."
He described Bailey as "a great teammate - he's one of those glue guys on the team. He makes plays. He's not necessarily a superstar, but the guy that kind of makes everything go."
Mahomes added, "We're praying for his family. [As] teammates, we've talked and we know that we're going to do whatever we can to support those guys."
Chiefs coach Andy Reid also addressed Bailey's passing. "Sad news. Our hearts go out to his family. Prayers are with them. Way too young, obviously. One of my favorite players. Great, great kid," Reid said.
The Chiefs organization released a statement expressing their sorrow: "Allen Bailey was an excellent teammate, generous man, and kind soul. We're deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
Bailey, nicknamed 'Hulk,' played two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons after leaving the Chiefs in 2019 before being released in 2021. He played in 133 regular season NFL games during his career, accumulating 22 sacks and 248 combined tackles.
Bailey, a native of Sapelo Island, Georgia, played college football at the University of Miami. After retiring from the NFL, he founded the Allen Bailey Foundation, which aimed to help children through football camps, community events, and digital resources focused on fostering talent and promoting academic readiness.