Fredd Young

Frederick Kimball "Fredd" Young was an American football linebacker whose hard-hitting play made him a fan favourite for the Seattle Seahawks and a Hall of Fame Aggie at New Mexico State. Born on 14 November 1961 in Dallas, Texas, he starred at Woodrow Wilson High School before a full scholarship took him to Las Cruces. At NM State from 1980 to 1983 he was a four-year starter, first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference in 1982, and an AP and Sporting News honourable-mention All-American in 1983. He led the Aggies in tackles in 1982 (134) and 1983 (140), finished with 393 career tackles (still fourth in program history), and set a single-game school record with six sacks against Louisiana Tech. He also returned kicks and punts, including two kickoff-return touchdowns of 92 and 90 yards in 1983.

The Seattle Seahawks selected Young in the third round of the 1984 NFL Draft, 76th overall. As a rookie he became the first AFC player chosen to the Pro Bowl primarily as a special-teams standout who was not a return specialist. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his four Seattle seasons (1984-1987) and earned first-team All-Pro honours in 1984 and 1987. After taking over a starting linebacker role he piled up 338 tackles across three seasons as a starter. In 1987 he recorded 9.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, four recoveries and an interception. NFL Films featured his collisions in The NFL Crunch Course. In 2025 the franchise named him one of its Top 50 players for the club's 50th season.

In May 1988, after a contract dispute, Seattle traded Young to the Indianapolis Colts for first-round picks in 1989 and 1990. He played three seasons in Indianapolis before injuries, including a dislocated hip, forced retirement after the 1990 season. Career totals included 101 games, 79 starts, 21 sacks and three interceptions, one returned 50 yards for a touchdown. NM State inducted him into its athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and later into its Football Ring of Honor. He remained close to the Las Cruces community for the rest of his life.

Young died on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, at the age of 64. The Seahawks and New Mexico State announced the news the following day; no cause of death was disclosed in those statements. He is survived by his wife Michelle; children Jessica, Freddy Jr, Matthew, Monroe, Fenix, Jeremiah and Amirah; and grandchildren Jaysha, Jarah, Jianika, Titus, Cassius, Justus and Sunday. Seattle called him a Legend whose legacy will forever be part of the franchise.