Chiefs mourn former defensive end Allen Bailey after he was found dead at 37

Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey was found dead at his home in Florida on Tuesday; he was 37. His death prompted public expressions of sorrow from Chiefs coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Bailey grew up on Sapelo Island, a barrier island off Georgia only accessible by boat and with a population of fewer than 70 people. “I’m from a place a little out of the normal,” Bailey told Distraction magazine in 2018. “It’s relatively quiet; no stop signs, no traffic lights. It’s mostly dirt roads.” He played college football for Miami and became a third-round draft pick for the Chiefs in 2011.

He spent eight seasons with the Chiefs before spending the final two years of his career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said: “It’s terrible, especially with all the good he [did],” Reid said. “He’s got a family and that’s a sad deal. I know his father passed away young, too. It makes you sick when it happens to somebody that young … He was one of my favorite players, a great kid. I’m just sorry to see that happened to him.”

Mahomes spent two seasons with Bailey after the quarterback was drafted by the Chiefs in 2017. “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 [college] anymore.’ It was surreal to see him.”

The defensive end was found dead at his home in Florida on Tuesday by his wife, and he is believed to have died from natural causes.

“Obviously, it’s terrible to hear the news. 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. 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,” Mahomes said.