The Seahawks paid tribute on social media, calling Young a franchise legend and emphasizing that his legacy lives on in team history. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, seven children—Jessica, Freddy Jr., Matthew, Monroe, Fenix, Jeremiah, and Amirah—and seven grandchildren: Jaysha, Jarah, Jianika, Titus, Cassius, Justus, and Sunday. The cause of death has not been disclosed, and details about his health in recent years are not publicly available.
Fredd Young’s NFL career extended beyond Seattle. In 1988, after four seasons with the Seahawks, he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, where he spent the final years of his playing days. The move came amid contract tensions with Seattle, which had a strict policy against renegotiations. Young reportedly grew frustrated with the team’s stance after teammate Brian Bosworth signed a long-term, lucrative deal. He briefly showed up late to camp and eventually walked out, ultimately leading to his trade to Indianapolis.
During his time with Seattle, Young quickly progressed from special teams duties to a starting linebacker role. Over three seasons as a starter, he accumulated 338 tackles and became a fan favorite during the Chuck Knox era. His most productive season came in 1987, when he tallied 9.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and an interception, earning All-Pro recognition for that year.
Before his NFL career, Young starred at New Mexico State University from 1980 to 1983. At 6 feet 1 inch and around 220 pounds, he was widely regarded as a defensive powerhouse, leading the Aggies in tackles in 1982 and 1983 with 134 and 140 tackles, respectively. A nickname-inspired shift to “Fredd” came from a teammate who suggested adding an extra “D” to his first name, explaining that his hard-hitting style made opponents stutter. He received First Team All-MMC honors in 1982 and AP All-American honors in 1983, cementing his status as one of the program’s greatest players. After retiring from football, Young remained connected to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he spoke with student-athletes and emphasized the value of hard work and dedication.
Young’s character extended beyond the football field. Posthumous reflections from friends describe him as exceptionally kind and gracious, with a reputation for taking time to connect with people. He was honored in later years by hall of fame recognitions, including induction into the US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. His sons followed in his footsteps at the collegiate level: Monroe played for the University of California, while Matthew continued his football career with the Aggies before transferring to Texas Tech in 2023.
Fredd Young’s impact on teammates, fans, and the communities he touched remains evident in the memories shared by those who knew him. He will be remembered as a formidable defender who helped define an era for Seattle football and as a generous, grounded person who gave back to his hometown and state.
