Patrick Mahomes described former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey as a key teammate and “glue guy” on Wednesday, one day after Bailey was found dead at age 37.
Bailey, who spent eight seasons with the Chiefs from 2011 to 2018 before finishing his career with the Atlanta Falcons, was discovered by his wife at their Florida home on Tuesday. His brother, Alford Bailey Jr., told TMZ that the family believes the death resulted from natural causes.
As of Thursday, no official cause had been released.
Mahomes, who shared a locker room with Bailey during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, recalled his first encounter with the veteran. “I tell this story every year: He was the first person I saw when I stepped into the locker room after the draft,” Mahomes said. “I see Allen Bailey and I’m like, ‘This isn’t the Big 12 anymore.’ It was surreal to see him.”
He added that Bailey was “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 further noted that former teammates had discussed ways to support Bailey’s family following his tragic passing.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid also addressed the news at his Wednesday press conference. “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 issued a statement describing Bailey as “an excellent teammate, generous man, and kind soul” and extended thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Bailey was selected by the Chiefs in the third round (86th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami. Over a 10-year career, he appeared in 133 regular-season games and recorded 248 combined tackles and 22 sacks. His strongest statistical season came in 2018, when he posted a career-high six sacks along with four fumble recoveries, one returned for a touchdown.
He later signed with the Falcons, appearing in 31 games across two seasons before being released in 2021.
A native of Sapelo Island, Georgia, Bailey played high school football at McIntosh County Academy. After his playing days, he founded the Allen Bailey Foundation, which supports student-athletes and families in coastal Georgia and Florida through free football camps, community events, backpack and turkey drives, and resources aimed at academic readiness.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
