SAPELO ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Allen Bailey, a Sapelo Island, Georgia, native who went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL, has died at age 37, the Kansas City Chiefs said.
**PREVIOUS COVERAGE:** [Former NFL defensive end Allen Bailey dies at 37](https://www.wtoc.com/2026/10/21/former-nfl-defensive-end-allen-bailey-dies-37/)
Background
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Bailey was from the small town of Sapelo Island, Georgia, and played college football at the University of Miami, where he starred for the Hurricanes.
Georgia congressman reacts
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U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter of Georgia posted on X: “I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Allen Bailey. From Sapelo Island to the NFL ... Allen made Coastal Georgia proud ... through his accomplishments on and off the field.”
NFL career
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Kansas City drafted Bailey in the 2011 NFL Draft, and he spent eight of his 10 NFL seasons with the Chiefs. He started 61 of the 102 games he played for Kansas City and recorded 207 tackles and 19.5 sacks.
His best statistical seasons came in 2014 and 2018. He recorded a career-high six sacks in his final season with the Chiefs, and his lone touchdown came on a fumble recovery scoop-and-score during Kansas City’s 54-51 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 19, 2018.
After the 2018 season, Bailey signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. He appeared in 31 games with Atlanta before the team released him in February 2021.
Coach, teammates react
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Andy Reid, who coached Bailey for six of his eight seasons with the Chiefs, addressed Bailey’s death during his weekly press conference Wednesday, calling him “one of my favorite players.”
“It’s terrible,” Reid said of any time a former player of his passes at a young age. “\[Bailey\] had a father who passed away young, too. It’s life, but it makes you sick.”
The Chiefs issued a statement Wednesday: “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.”
Patrick Mahomes, who was Bailey’s teammate for two seasons, recalled the first time he saw Bailey in the locker room. “I step in the locker room and see Allen Bailey, and I’m like, ‘This isn’t the Big 12 anymore,’” Mahomes said. “It was surreal to see him, and I tell that story every single year. Obviously, it’s terrible to hear the news that we heard.”
Mahomes added: “A great teammate. He was one of those glue guys on the team. He made plays and was the guy who made everything go. Terrible to hear that news. We’re praying for him and his family.”
Body found in Florida
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Bailey’s brother, Alford Bailey Jr., told TMZ that Bailey’s body was discovered at his Florida home on Tuesday. No cause of death has been released.
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