Kenny Easley did not have a long career in the NFL, but the Seattle Seahawks safety was one of the greatest players from his generation and he earned a reputation as one of the hardest hitters the game has ever seen from the secondary. Easley died late Friday at the age of 66, and he ranked with Ronnie Lott, Dick “Night Train” Lane, Ken Houston and Ed Reed as one of the greatest safeties to ever play in the NFL. Expand Tweet

Easley played for the Seahawks from 1981 through 1987 before a significant kidney ailment put an end to his career. However, he was a bright light on the field from the start of his career.

He was the NFL's defensive player of the year in 1984, a five-time Pro Bowler and a 3-time first-team All-Pro. Easley was a member of the NFL's All-Decade team in the 1980s.

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