Seattle Seahawks: 30 greatest players in franchise history
36. . SS. (1981-87). Kenny Easley. 4. player
His time with the team may have ended poorly, but Kenny Easley was a legend during his seven-year stint with the Seahawks. Having reconciled with the club and watched his No. 45 jersey enter retirement only a year ago, it’s safe to say he’s cemented his spot in Seattle lore.
Easley’s playing days came to an abrupt end after he was diagnosed with a kidney disease following a trade from the Seahawks. However, prior to his departure, he was arguably one of the very best defenders of the 1980s who relentlessly wreaked havoc for the Seattle defense.
From Day 1, Easley was a star. After stepping into a starting role as a rookie, he quickly made a name for himself as a playmaking safety with an uncanny knack for getting his hands on the football. By the time his rookie year was in the books, he had earned AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and was on his way to becoming one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
In just those seven seasons, he made the Pro Bowl five times, was selected as an All-Pro five times and was named the 1984 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Easley still co-owns the franchise record for most interceptions in a season with 10. Suffice it to say, he was one of the very best to ever wear the Seahawks uniform. It took a while, but Easley was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.