Young’s death was announced by his college, New Mexico State, and by the Seahawks. A cause of death was not disclosed.
A Dallas native, Young starred in football and basketball at Woodrow Wilson High School before becoming a standout at New Mexico State. He played for the Aggies from 1980 to 1983, serving as a four-year starter and earning first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1982. The following season, he earned honorable mention All-American recognition after leading the team with 140 tackles and recording 12 sacks, finishing his college career with 393 tackles.
The Seahawks selected Young in the third round, 76th overall, of the 1984 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself on special teams, earning Pro Bowl recognition as a rookie and becoming the first non-return specialist to make the Pro Bowl as a special-teams player.
Young moved into a starting linebacker role in his second season and continued to make the Pro Bowl through 1987. His most productive season came in 1987, when he posted nine sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and an interception in 13 games, earning first-team All-Pro honors.
After four seasons with Seattle, Young was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 1988 for two first-round draft picks following a contract dispute. He spent three seasons with the Colts before retiring after the 1990 season. In seven NFL campaigns, he appeared in 101 regular-season games, started 79, and recorded 21 sacks and three interceptions.
In 2025, Young was honored by Seattle as one of the top 50 players in franchise history as part of the team’s 50th-season celebration. New Mexico State inducted him into its athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and later into its Football Ring of Honor.
