Kasey Redfern, a former NFL punter, has died aged 35 after an agonizing cancer battle.
Redfern signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Wofford College in South Carolina.
He had contracts with seven different teams, going on to spend time with the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons after leaving Jacksonville in 2015.
He appeared in four NFL games, making his debut with the Lions in 2017 and punting once for 50 yards on his debut before spending three weeks on the Falcons active roster in October 2019.
But he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and CNS lymphoma in 2023, and his wife, Lauryl revealed in a heartbreaking final post on September 26, that he had been transferred into hospice care.
The post was shared on his 35th birthday and detailed the tough final days of his long health battle. The couple shared two sons, Ollie and Logan, and recently shared pictures celebrating them starting the new school year.
Former NFL punter Kasey Redfern has died at 35 after a long battle with cancer since 2023
Redfern played in four regular season NFL games including his debut for the Detroit Lions
Lauryl Redfern posted on Kasey’s 35th birthday detailing he had gone into hospice care
Lauryl Redfern wrote on Facebook: ‘Happy 35th birthday to my man, the love of my life, Kase Face!
‘It’s been a whirlwind of a week- one that has been really hard and full of emotional and mental overwhelm. Kasey had his appointment with Dr. Fanning on Wednesday and our conversation wasn’t easy.
‘We’ve decided to move toward hospice care for Kasey. It seems that everything he’s been experiencing over the last couple of weeks – the falls, extreme decline in short term memory, random throwing up, and some other things are likely due to cognitive decline caused by neurotoxicity from all of the treatments he’s had over the last 3.5 years.
‘His poor brain has had all it can take treatment wise so we want to make sure that he can be as comfortable as possible. As our NP pointed out this will also help me to be able to love on him more/better and not have to do all of the caretaking as well.
‘It’s been a really hard few weeks with this extreme decline. He’s still home and able to be home and could still have a lot more time with us, but we just can’t give him anymore treatment and unfortunately this decline is irreversible accept by another miracle from the Lord which we are still of course praying for.
‘We know that healing will take place regardless of the outcome, but if he makes it to Heaven soon, he will have it better than the rest of us and for that all I can do is be thankful and joyful and filled with peace (and a lot of jealousy) that He will be WHOLE and in glory with our Savior- the best place we could ask to be.’
Texas Tech safeties coach Rob Greene, his former college roommate, called Redfern a ‘great man, husband, father, and friend.’ while other tributes poured in from his local community.
Tributes have poured in for Redfern, who played college football at Wofford from 2010-2013
Kasey and Lauryl Redfern share two sons, Ollie and Logan, with pictures shared online
The couple recently shared photos celebrating their boys entering the new school year
Mike Smith wrote: ‘Wofford lost a true warrior and a good man in Kasey Redfern. He’s fought the fight for a while now but he’s in the presence of Jesus.
‘So many memories of football games with him. He was always gracious and appreciative of me helping him out with warmups before the game with field goals. No ego or entitlement.
‘Truly a special person. My prayers for his family during this difficult time.’
