The distraught wife of deceased Kansas City Chiefs alum Allen Bailey is speaking out over his sudden passing at just 37.

'I still can't even say the words out loud,' Lauren Bailey wrote on Instagram. 'Thank you for all of the messages, calls, flowers, thoughts, prayers, food, hugs, wiped tears, memories, love and support that's been shared. We are all devastated. My husband was widely loved and will be missed by EVERYONE.'

Lauren reportedly discovered her husband's lifeless body in their Florida home on Tuesday. He is believed to have died from natural causes, according to authorities.

'He is the most incredible man I have ever met,' she continued. 'My person. He made me believe in soulmates. I am so grateful I got to experience such an everlasting passionate love.

'This is going to always be a sting in my heart and a punch to the gut. But I will never question the power of our maker. I love you so very much Allen, My Bailey. My Shooby. My Hulk.

'The peace of Jesus Christ is the only way I've been able to endure this pain.'

Bailey spent eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs after being selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami.

Nicknamed 'Hulk' because of his imposing stature, Bailey went on to join the Atlanta Falcons in 2019 for two seasons before getting released in 2021. Bailey played in 133 regular season NFL games during his career. He totaled 22 sacks and 248 combined tackles.

Addressing the news on Wednesday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said: 'Sad news. Our hearts go out to his family. Prayers are with them. Way too young, obviously. One of my favorite players. Great, great kid.'

The Chiefs added in a statement: 'Allen Bailey was an excellent teammate, generous man, and kind soul. We're deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.'

After his retirement, he founded the Allen Bailey Foundation to help children through 'football camps, community events and digital resources tailored to foster talent and promote academic readiness.'

Tributes quickly poured in from some of Bailey's former college and NFL teammates.

'Lost a fellow brother today… prayers to AB family! Love you Big Cuzzo!' wrote Colin McCarthy, a former Miami teammate who played for the Tennessee Titans in the NFL.

Former Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen wrote: 'Lost a teammate, a friend, a brother. God needed another angel. Rest easy, my brother.'

A Sapelo Island, Georgia, native, Bailey played high school football at McIntosh County Academy before being recruited by Miami.

Lauren and Allen had two children together.