Allen Bailey, former Chiefs defensive end nicknamed 'The Hulk,' dies at 37

Allen Bailey, the former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end teammates called “The Hulk,” has died at 37. His brother, Alford Bailey Jr., told TMZ that Bailey was found dead by his wife on Tuesday, Oct. 20, inside their home in Florida, according to USA Today and NBC Sports. “Allen Bailey” topped 20,000 US searches on Google Trends Wednesday, with “allen bailey cause of death” among the most common follow-ups.

What was Allen Bailey’s cause of death?

No official cause has been announced. The family believes he died of natural causes, his brother told TMZ, as reported by NBC Sports. We’ll update this if officials release more.

Chiefs react

“Our hearts go out to his family. Prayers are with them,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday, according to USA Today. “Way too young, obviously. One of my favorite players. Great kid. Just sorry to see that happened to him.”

The team called Bailey “an excellent teammate, generous man, and kind soul” in a statement on social media.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he still tells the story every year of first seeing Bailey at organized team activities as a rookie in 2017. “I’m like, ‘This isn’t the Big 12 anymore,’” Mahomes said. “Like it was surreal to see him.”

Former Chiefs lineman Jeff Allen wrote: “Lost a teammate, a friend, a brother.”

His career

• College: Miami, where he was a two-time All-ACC pick and first got the “Hulk” nickname as a freshman, USA Today reported.
• 2011: Chiefs third-round draft pick.
• 2011-18: Eight seasons in Kansas City. He became a starter in 2014, posted five sacks in 12 starts that year and signed a four-year, $25 million extension midseason.
• 2019-20: Two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, reuniting with former Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.
• Career totals: 133 games, 70 starts, 22 sacks, 40 tackles for loss and 40 quarterback hits, per NBC Sports.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 288 pounds, Bailey played in Sutton’s hybrid 3-4 defense next to Chris Jones, Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, often doing the dirty work that freed others to make plays.

“He’s kind of a gentle giant,” former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said in 2017, according to USA Today. “You know not to mess with him, but at the same time, he’s very approachable.”

From Sapelo Island

Bailey grew up on Sapelo Island, Georgia, in the tiny Hog Hammock community. USA Today, citing the Savannah Morning News, said it had about 70 full-time residents as of 2024. A sign below the community’s welcome sign reads “Home of Allen Bailey.”

FAQ

When did Allen Bailey die? Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at his Florida home, according to his brother.

How old was he? 37.

What teams did he play for? The Kansas City Chiefs (2011-18) and the Atlanta Falcons (2019-20).