Former Chiefs Defensive End Allen Bailey Dies at 37 as Andy Reid Pays Tribute

Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey, who spent eight seasons with the franchise and helped anchor its defensive front during the early years of Andy Reid's tenure, has died at age 37.

Bailey died Tuesday at his home in Florida, according to his brother, Alford Bailey Jr., who confirmed the news to TMZ. His wife found him at their home, and an official cause of death has not been announced.

Reid addressed the loss during his Wednesday news conference, offering condolences to Bailey's family and remembering a player he coached for six seasons.

"Way too young, obviously. One of my favorite players. Great, great kid and just sorry to see that happened to him," Reid said, according to Chiefs Wire.

Bailey arrived in Kansas City as a third-round selection, No. 86 overall, in the 2011 NFL Draft after starring at the University of Miami.

He played for the Chiefs through 2018, making 61 starts and recording 207 tackles and 19.5 sacks during his eight seasons with the team.

His most productive pass-rushing season came in 2018, when he recorded a career-high six sacks and helped Kansas City reach the AFC Championship Game.

One of his most memorable moments came that November against the Los Angeles Rams. Bailey recovered a Jared Goff fumble and returned it for a fourth-quarter touchdown in a nationally televised 54-51 loss, one of the highest-scoring games in NFL history.

His time in Kansas City overlapped with the franchise's emergence under Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Bailey was part of the defensive foundation that preceded the Chiefs' championship years.  

After leaving Kansas City, Bailey joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2019 and played two more seasons. He finished his 10-year NFL career with 248 combined tackles and 22 sacks across 133 regular-season games.

Bailey's path to the NFL began on Sapelo Island, Georgia, where he grew up in a community accessible by ferry. He traveled to the mainland for school before developing into a standout at Miami, earning first-team All-ACC recognition in 2009.

Beyond football, Bailey established the Allen Bailey Foundation, which organized youth football camps, community events and scholarship opportunities in his home region.

His death prompted tributes from former teammates, including offensive lineman Jeff Allen and receiver Dwayne Bowe.

Bailey's journey from Sapelo Island to the University of Miami and ultimately the NFL was remarkable. He spent much of his professional career as a dependable presence on Kansas City's defensive line.

Although Bailey never played on one of the Chiefs' Super Bowl championship teams, he is remembered for his contributions to the team and the communities he served.