Chesapeake native Kenny Easley is finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Defensive back Kenny Easley is seen in the Seahawks’ home uniform in 1985.

Former NFL safety Kenny Easley was selected as the Senior Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017 Monday.

The long wait for longtime Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley to get recognized by the Hall of Fame is coming to an end.

Easley and former Bears tackle Jimbo Covert are the only first-team offensive and defensive selections to that team who are not in the Hall.

Easley recorded 32 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries and eight sacks in 89 games with the Seahawks, earning AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1981 and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three years later.

Easley was a first-team All-Pro selection in four consecutive seasons (1982-85) and was voted to five Pro Bowls. He was also named to the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1980s, the National Football League rookie of the year in 1981 and AFC defensive player of the year in 1983. It’s created to nominate a player whose career ended at least 25 years ago.

Easley will be one of 18 finalists for the 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

To be inducted, a finalist needs to receive at least 80 percent support from the 46-person selection committee., which will meet on the afternoon of February 4, just hours before the official announcement is made during a television special on Fox. They will consider 18 finalists, including Easley, two contributors (to be named August 16), and 15 modern-era finalists.