NFL and College Legend
Four-time Pro Bowler and New Mexico State football legend Fredd Young dies at 64.
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Key Points
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As a rookie, Young became the first AFC player to make the Pro Bowl as a special-teams player who was not a return specialist.
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Young was traded from Seattle to Indianapolis ahead of the 1988 season after a contract dispute; the Seahawks received two first-round draft picks in the deal. He retired after the 1990 season at age 29, citing chronic arthritis in his right hip.
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Young was a major special-teams contributor at New Mexico State: he returned 28 punts, ranked 10th in school history in punt-return yardage and recorded two kickoff-return touchdowns in 1983, covering 92 and 90 yards.
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His college honors included First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference recognition in 1982 and honorable-mention All-America selections from The Associated Press and The Sporting News in 1983.
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Young was remembered in Las Cruces for his humility and steady support of the Aggies. Former broadcaster Jack Nixon said Young never promoted his professional accomplishments, while former athletic director Mario Moccia recalled that he attended Aggies games both when attendance was sparse and during the program’s 2017 bowl-breakthrough season.
Fredd Young, a four-time Pro Bowler who became a fan favorite with the Seattle Seahawks in the 1980s, has died at 64. Bellingham Herald reported that the cause of death was not immediately disclosed. Young starred as a linebacker for Seattle from 1984 to 1987, then finished his seven-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts.
At New Mexico State, Young was a dominant force from 1980 to 1983, finishing with 393 tackles and setting a school record with six sacks in a single game against Louisiana Tech. HeraldNet noted that Young was named one of the Seahawks' Top 50 Players of all time and earned first-team All-Pro honors in his final season with Seattle.
From College Star to NFL Standout
Young recorded 393 tackles at New Mexico State, including 140 tackles and 12 sacks during his dominant 1983 season. In one game that year against Louisiana Tech, he racked up six sacks—a school record that still stands. The Olympian highlighted that Young made the Pro Bowl in all four of his seasons with Seattle starting in 1984.
The Seahawks selected Young in the third round of the 1984 NFL Draft, making him the 76th overall pick. As a rookie, Young became the first AFC player to make the Pro Bowl as a special-teams player who was not a return specialist, a rare distinction that showed his versatility and impact on the field.
Contract Dispute Led to Seahawks Trade
Young was traded from Seattle to Indianapolis before the 1988 season following a contract disagreement. The Seahawks received two first-round draft picks in the deal—a steep price that reflected Young's value. Young retired after the 1990 season at age 29, citing chronic arthritis in his right hip that limited his ability to perform at an elite level.
Over his seven-year NFL career, Young appeared in 101 games, recording 21 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and three interceptions. His combination of linebacker skills and special-teams excellence made him one of the most productive players of his era, even as arthritis cut short what could have been an even longer career.
Las Cruces Community Remembers His Humility
Young was inducted into the New Mexico State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and remained deeply connected to Las Cruces throughout his life. Former broadcaster Jack Nixon said Young never promoted his professional accomplishments, preferring to stay humble about his NFL success. He attended Aggies games faithfully, both during sparse attendance years and the program's breakthrough 2017 bowl season.
Former athletic director Mario Moccia recalled Young's consistent support and presence in the community. Young is survived by his wife, children and seven grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy as both a dominant player and a steadfast presence in the Las Cruces community.
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