University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Easley Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
August 05, 2017 | Football
UCLA Football great Kenny Easley was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio. Easley is the sixth Bruin to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Troy Aikman (inducted in 2006, played for Cowboys from 1989-00), Tom Fears (inducted in 1970, played for Rams from 1948-56), Jimmy Johnson (inducted in 1993, played for 49ers from 1961-76), Jonathan Ogden (inducted in 2013, played for Ravens from 1996-07), and Bob Waterfield (inducted in 1965, played for Rams from 1945-52).
5x Pro Bowler.
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2017
One of the greatest @Seahawks ever.
Kenny Easley (@Easleyforce5) receives his @ProFootballHOF Gold Jacket! #PFHOF17 pic.twitter.com/EN112XoyXA
Easley was regarded as one of the nation's best defenders, playing free safety for the Bruins from 1977-1980. He started from the second game of his true freshman season and went on to become only the second three-time consensus All-American in UCLA and Conference history (1978-80). The native of Chesapeake, Va. finished ninth in voting for the 1980 Heisman Trophy. He became the first four-time first-team all-conference selection in league history. Easley ranks first on the all-time UCLA career interceptions list with 19 and is fifth in all-time tackles (374). He also still ranks among the all-time top 10 at UCLA in career punt returns (45). His No. 5 jersey is one of nine Bruin retired numbers.
A four-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl safety who the Seattle Seahawks took with the No. 4 overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, Easley recorded 32 interceptions through seven professional seasons, racking up 538 return yards and three touchdowns in the process. He earned AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1981 and had a League-leading 10 picks including two pick-sixes in 1984, when he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Easley was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s.
Congratulations to @Easleyforce5 on being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.#PFHOF17 l #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/SpJPlKrgGv
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) August 5, 2017
In 1991, Easley was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame (College Hall of Fame). He will become the fourth Seahawks player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy and Walter Jones.
