Kenny Easley enshrined in Hall of Fame

Former NFL player Kenny Easley speaks next a bust of himself during an induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Kenny Easley officially became Hall of Famer No. 306 on Saturday as the former UCLA safety received his bronze bust in Canton, Ohio.

His seven-year NFL career ended suddenly in 1987 after a kidney ailment and 30 years later, Easley was finally elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

“The Hall of Fame was dropped on the shoulders of Kenny Easley like a pair of shoulder pads,” he said during his speech. “Some folks said, ‘I deserved to be in the Hall earlier.’ I don’t believe that. Others said, ‘Maybe he didn’t play long enough.’ I don’t believe that either.’’

Easley is the sixth former Bruin to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Troy Aikman, Tom Fears, Jimmy Johnson, Jonathan Ogden and Bob Waterfield.

UCLA head coach Jim Mora, who has known Easley since he was young, congratulated Easley in a video message:

More on Easley’s induction, from ESPN.

While entering Hall of Fame, Kenny Easley continues to influence UCLA

Former UCLA Bruin and Seattle Seahawk Kenny Easley will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. (Photos by Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images and Rick Stewart / Getty Images)

On a patio in Hollywood and Highland, Jim Mora pulls out his phone and scrolls through years of emails. He finds the one he wants: Feb. 23, 2013. From Kenny Easley.

It’s been more than 35 years since Easley left Westwood, but the Bruins still feel the legendary safety’s presence. He sent Mora an email in 2012 to welcome the new coach. The team gives out an award honoring his toughness after every win.  On Saturday, Easley will be UCLA’s sixth former player to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

More on Easley’s long overdue enshrinement and his lasting legacy at UCLA.

Enshrinement ceremony information:

Where: Canton, Ohio
When: 4 p.m. PT Saturday
TV: NFL Network
2017 inductees (in Saturday’s speaking order): S Kenny Easley, DE Jason Taylor, PK Morten Andersen, RB Terrell Davis, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, QB Kurt Warner

Kenny Easley prepares to enter Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former UCLA safety Kenny Easley (5) will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. (Photo by Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

Kenny Easley woke up in a sweat. It was 4:30 a.m. in a Houston hotel room on Selection Saturday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The former UCLA safety already knew.

He was in.

Easley, UCLA’s legendary safety who still holds the school’s all-time interceptions record, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio. It’s been 30 years since Easley’s NFL career ended prematurely due to a kidney ailment, and after he was never considered for the Hall as a Modern Era player, the hard-hitting safety from Virginia finally made the cut as a Senior Member this year.

After the long wait, the dream Easley had in that Houston hotel room put him at ease.  Continue reading “Kenny Easley prepares to enter Pro Football Hall of Fame” »

Former UCLA safety Kenny Easley elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Kenny Easley, who starred at UCLA before playing his entire NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
(Rick Stewart / Getty Images)

Former UCLA safety Kenny Easley was one of seven voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Kidney disease cut Easley’s professional career as the 1981 first-round draft pick was forced to retire in 1987 after spending his entire NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks.

In 1984, he won the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was a four-time All-Pro selection and was elected to the Pro Bowl five times.

Easley is one of the best players to come out of UCLA. He was a three-time consensus All-American and was the first player in Pac-12 history to be named an all-conference selection for four straight years. He still holds the program record for interceptions in a career (19). In 1980, he finished in ninth place for the Heisman Trophy. His No. 5 jersey is retired by the school, and he was voted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

The 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame class also includes running backs Terrell Davis and LaDanian Tomlinson, quarterback Kurt Warner, kicker Morten Anderson, defensive end Jason Taylor and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The class will be enshrined on Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio.