Kenny Easley Gets New Kidney

Former Seattle Seahawk Kenny Easley, whose kidney disease ended his football career, has received a kidney transplant at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Easley entered the hospital yesterday and underwent successful surgery early today, according to Leslie Tidball, administrator of Easley-Osborn Sports Management Group in Seattle.

Initially Easley was listed in serious condition. By 11 a.m., though, he was doing so well his condition was upgraded to good. Easley was to remain in the hospital's intensive-care unit for about a day. He is expected to stay in the hospital 10 to 14 days.

The transplant was performed by Dr. Christopher Marsh and was completed early this morning.

UW officials said they could neither confirm nor deny reports of Easley's transplant.

``Kenny and his wife, Gail, would particularly like to express their gratitude to the family of the donor,'' said Tidball. ``They know nothing of the donor.''

The Easleys have asked that any gestures by the public be made in the form of a donation to the Northwest Kidney Foundation or to Friends of Youth, said Tidball.

The five-time Pro Bowl safety was diagnosed in April 1988 with a severe, irreversible kidney ailment.

For more than a year, Easley, 31, has been undergoing dialysis three times a week.

In a lawsuit filed last year, Easley alleged his kidney trouble was caused or substantially aggravated by large doses of the pain reliever ibuprofen. He sued the Seahawks, the team's doctors and trainer and a distributor of the medication Advil, which contains ibuprofen.

Easley contended he was not informed of his kidney problem when it developed in 1986, but was allowed to play football through the 1987 season. He also said he was instructed to take four Advil tablets whenever his ankle hurt following a surgery.