Kenny Easley, UCLA

 
via jaeger

No other player has ever given more of himself in service of the Seattle Seahawks than Kenny Easley. #45 literally sacrificed his kidneys to the game of professional football after volunteering to return punts. That team-first move added to a mounting litany of injuries, which led to his disastrous dependency on ibuprofen as a pain-killer.

Until the ugly, sad end of his career (and an aftermath made exponentially worse by Ken Behring) Easley was the most intimidating and talented defender in Seahawks history. Whenever he patrolled the secondary, opposing receivers were bringing knives to a gunfight.

In Seahawks history, only Walter Jones has been named All-Pro more times than Easley. His 1984 season was so exceptional that he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and I can't think of a better leader for the Mudbones' defenders.