COLIN MCCARTHY REPORTS ALLEN BAILEY'S DEATH

Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Allen Bailey has died, according to his former University of Miami teammate Colin McCarthy. McCarthy announced the death on X on 20 October, writing: “Lost a fellow brother today… prayers to AB family! Love you Big Cuzzo!” Bailey’s wife found him at their home in Florida. McCarthy did not state a cause of death in his message. The Chiefs selected Bailey in the 2011 NFL draft, and he played eight seasons with the team.

Bailey later played for the Atlanta Falcons. At the University of Miami, he earned four letters and two All-ACC honours with the Miami Hurricanes. Alabama, Georgia and Florida also recruited him from secondary school before he chose Miami. Bailey grew up in a trailer in Hog Hammock on Georgia’s Sapelo Island. He reached school by taking an early-morning boat and two buses, and stayed with a teammate’s family in Darien when football practice ended after the last boat left.

Bailey’s mother worked at Reynold’s Mansion, while his father served as first mate on the Katie Underwood ferry. Reflecting on his move to university, Bailey said: “I was kind of shy. But football opened doors for me; it helped me meet new people. Football gave me that bond.” His Chiefs teammates called him “The Incredible Hulk”. After Bailey broke through the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive line to make a tackle in a 2017 preseason game, teammate Chris Jones said: “The Hulk is back in business, baby!”