FLORIDA (THECOUNT) — Allen Bailey, a former NFL defensive end who spent eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before playing for the Atlanta Falcons, has died at age 37. Bailey’s wife found him dead inside their Florida home Tuesday, October 20, according to his brother, Alford Bailey Jr.
The family believes Bailey died of natural causes, his brother told reporters. An official cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
Advertisement
Bailey spent the first eight seasons of his professional career in Kansas City after the Chiefs selected him in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2019 and appeared in 31 games over two seasons before the team released him in 2021.
During his 10-season NFL career, Bailey appeared in 133 regular-season games, recording 22 sacks and 248 combined tackles. His time in the league spanned two franchises and more than a decade of professional football, including his final season with Atlanta in 2020.
Before reaching the NFL, Bailey played college football at the University of Miami. He earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2009 and second-team recognition in 2010, establishing himself as a standout defensive player before entering the professional ranks.
Born March 25, 1989, Bailey grew up on Sapelo Island, Georgia, and attended McIntosh County Academy before continuing his football career at Miami. His path from the Georgia coast to the NFL culminated in a decade competing at the highest level of professional football.
Bailey’s reported death prompted tributes from people connected to his football career, including former University of Miami teammate and NFL linebacker Colin McCarthy, who shared a message mourning his former teammate.
Bailey was 37. His family has not publicly confirmed an official cause of death in the available reporting.
Bailey was born on Sapelo Island, Georgia, while his death was reported at his home in Florida. The specific Florida city and residence have not been identified in the available coverage, so the map below provides only broad geographic context.
Google Maps: Florida, USA (approximate geographic context; exact residence not reported)
DEVELOPING::