The 10-year NFL veteran spent eight seasons with Kansas City before finishing his career with the Atlanta Falcons.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Allen Bailey, a 10-year NFL veteran remembered by teammates and coaches as a dependable presence on and off the field, has died at age 37.
Bailey was found dead Tuesday, Oct. 20, at his home in Florida, according to his brother, Alford Bailey Jr., who spoke with TMZ. His family believes he died of natural causes, but an official cause of death had not been released as of Thursday. The Chiefs and Falcons acknowledged Bailey’s death, while former coaches and teammates publicly mourned the longtime defensive lineman.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who coached Bailey for six seasons in Kansas City, addressed his death during a Wednesday news conference. Reid described Bailey as one of his favorite players and said the news was especially difficult because of Bailey’s young age. The Chiefs also issued a statement describing Bailey as an excellent teammate, generous man and kind person while extending condolences to his family and friends.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was Bailey’s teammate for two seasons, recalled Bailey as one of the first players he noticed when he arrived in Kansas City. Mahomes said Bailey’s size and presence immediately showed him the difference between college football and the NFL. He also remembered Bailey as a respected teammate who helped hold the locker room together and contributed in ways that went beyond statistics.
Bailey entered the NFL after a standout college career at the University of Miami. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him with the 86th overall pick in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He became a regular part of the Chiefs’ defensive front and remained with the organization through the 2018 season, appearing in 102 regular-season games for Kansas City.
His final season with the Chiefs was among his most productive. Bailey recorded a career-high six sacks in 2018 and scored the only touchdown of his NFL career after recovering a fumble and returning it for a score during Kansas City’s 54-51 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 19, 2018. His eight seasons in Kansas City included 61 starts, 207 tackles and 19.5 sacks.
Bailey signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 2019 and spent two seasons with the team. He appeared in 31 games for Atlanta before the Falcons released him in February 2021. Across his NFL career, Bailey played in 133 regular-season games, starting 70, and recorded 248 tackles and 22 sacks. He also appeared in six playoff games.
Before reaching the NFL, Bailey grew up on Sapelo Island, Georgia, and attended McIntosh County Academy. He went on to play four seasons at Miami, where he developed into one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s better defensive linemen. He earned first-team All-ACC recognition in 2009 and second-team honors in 2010 before entering the NFL draft.
Former Miami teammates also shared tributes after news of Bailey’s death spread. His professional career linked two prominent NFL franchises, but much of the reaction Wednesday focused on his personality and relationships with teammates rather than his playing statistics. Reid and Mahomes both emphasized Bailey’s character while remembering his years in Kansas City.
No official cause of death had been announced as of Thursday. Bailey’s family has said it believes he died of natural causes, while the Chiefs, Falcons and members of the football community continued to express condolences following his death.
Author note: Last updated October 23, 2026.