SEATTLE (AP) — Kenny Easley, the former hard-hitting safety known as “The Enforcer” for the Seattle Seahawks, has passed away at the age of 66, as reported by the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Easley died on Friday night, according to his family. However, the Hall of Fame did not disclose the cause of his passing.

Among the iconic ranks of the Seattle Seahawks, Easley is one of only four players, including Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy, and Walter Jones, to spend their entire careers with the team and later be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He received this prestigious honor in 2017, the same year the Seahawks retired his No. 45 jersey.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Seahawks legend Kenny Easley,” the Seahawks stated. “Kenny exemplified what it meant to be a Seahawk through his leadership, toughness, intensity, and fearlessness. His intimidating presence and athletic grace made him one of the greatest players in history.”

Hailing from Chesapeake, Virginia, Easley was selected as a five-time Pro Bowler and named an All-Pro three times during his seven-year tenure in Seattle. The Seahawks drafted Easley from UCLA with the fourth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft.

His best season was in 1984, when Easley led the NFL with 10 interceptions and was named defensive player of the year by The Associated Press. He was the first player in franchise history to be named defensive player of the year, doing so for a team that forced a franchise-record 63 turnovers that season.

However, Easley’s departure from the Seahawks was marred by controversy. He was traded after the 1987 season, in part because of a kidney ailment that shortened his NFL career. He was traded to the Cardinals and failed his physical. He never played another down and believed the large doses of painkillers he took as a player led to his kidney issues.

Easley believed the Seahawks knew of the kidney condition and didn’t disclose it to him. The Seahawks and Easley started to reconcile in 2002 when Paul Allen was the team owner, which coincided with Easley getting inducted into the ring of honor that Oct. 14.

Easley finished his career with 32 interceptions, which is tied for fourth most in franchise history, as well as 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and eight sacks.

He is survived by his wife, Gail, and their three children — his son, Kendrick, and daughters Gabrielle and Giordanna.

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