Seahawks great Kenny Easley a finalist for 2017 Hall of Fame induction

SEATTLE - One of the all-time great Seattle Seahawks might just make a late end-run into the Hall of Fame.

Safety Kenny Easley, who retired in 1987, was selected as a "senior finalist" for the Hall of Fame  on Monday. The announcement means Easley could be inducted next summer.



Easley, who is in the Seahawks' Ring of Honor, was the team's first-round draft pick in 1981.

Easley was the NFL defensive player of the in 1984, and was a four-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection.

His career was cut short in 1987, thanks to a severe kidney condition. The end was acrimonious. Easley found out about the kidney problem during his physical after the Seahawks traded him to the Cardinals for quarterback Kelly Stouffer.

Easley ended up filing a lawsuit against the Seahawks, blaming the team for an Advil overdose years earlier that might've led to his kidney problem.

Last month, Easley missed his charity golf tournament after undergoing a triple-bypass.