Former NFL punter Kasey Redfern has died at the age of 35 after a prolonged battle with cancer that began with a brain tumor diagnosis in 2023. His death on October 13, 2026, has prompted tributes from loved ones, former teammates, and members of the American football community.
Redfern, who played professionally for several National Football League organizations, spent years undergoing treatment for central nervous system lymphoma. His health deteriorated in the months leading up to his death, and he entered hospice care in late September after his family learned that further treatment was no longer a viable option.
His wife, Lauryl Redfern, shared updates about his illness and the family’s efforts to make him comfortable during his final weeks. The couple had two sons, Logan and Ollie, who were at the center of their family life.
Redfern’s death marks the end of a difficult medical journey for a former professional athlete whose determination extended beyond the football field. Those who remembered him after his passing spoke not only about his sporting career but also about his role as a husband, father, and friend.
What Was Kasey Redfern’s Cause of Death?
Kasey Redfern died following a battle with central nervous system lymphoma, a form of lymphoma affecting the brain, spinal cord, or related structures. Reports about his death also describe an earlier diagnosis of a cancerous brain tumor.
According to reports published after his death, Redfern was diagnosed in 2023 and underwent treatment for approximately three and a half years. His condition later deteriorated, leading his family to make the difficult decision to transition to hospice care.
On September 26, 2026, his 35th birthday, his wife announced that the family was moving toward hospice care. In a subsequent update, Lauryl described a significant decline in his health, including falls, worsening short-term memory, and episodes of vomiting.
She attributed the cognitive decline, based on medical discussions shared publicly, to possible neurotoxicity associated with the treatments he had received. She explained that the priority had become keeping him comfortable and allowing the family to spend meaningful time together.
Redfern died on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, according to multiple reports.
His illness and the decision to enter hospice care marked a painful period for his wife and children, who had supported him throughout the lengthy battle.
Kasey Redfern’s Final Months and Hospice Care
Redfern’s final weeks followed a period of declining health after years of cancer treatment. His wife publicly described the emotional strain of caring for him while also facing uncertainty about what lay ahead.
In her September update, Lauryl explained that the family had decided to pursue hospice care after discussions with his medical team. The decision was intended to prioritize his comfort rather than continue treatments that were no longer considered sustainable.
She also described the difficulty of watching her husband’s condition worsen. Her updates conveyed both the emotional weight of the situation and the family’s determination to remain close to him.
Lauryl’s words reflected the hope and faith that had helped sustain the family throughout the illness. She expressed gratitude for the time they had shared and described her belief that healing would ultimately come, even if it did not happen in the way they had initially hoped.
The family’s experience highlights the challenges faced by loved ones when a serious illness progresses despite prolonged treatment. For Redfern’s wife and children, the final weeks became a time to focus on care, comfort, and being together.
Who Was Kasey Redfern?
Kasey Redfern was an American football punter who pursued a professional career after playing college football at Wofford College in South Carolina.
Born on September 26, 1991, in Jamestown, North Carolina, Redfern developed his skills as both a kicker and punter during his college years. He played for the Wofford Terriers from 2010 through 2013 before entering the professional football system.
Although he was not selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, Redfern continued pursuing opportunities in professional football. His career took him through several organizations, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Falcons.
His journey through the league required persistence and adaptability, as players competing for specialist positions often face intense competition for roster spots.
Redfern ultimately appeared in regular-season NFL games for the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons. He also spent time with other teams through contracts, offseason opportunities, and practice-squad roles.
Beyond his professional career, Redfern was known to those close to him as a husband, father, and friend. Tributes following his death emphasized those personal relationships alongside his experience in football.
Kasey Redfern’s NFL Career
Redfern entered professional football in 2014 when he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.
His NFL career included opportunities with seven organizations over several years. Although not every opportunity resulted in regular-season appearances, his continued involvement demonstrated his determination to compete at the highest level of American football.
Redfern’s professional career included time with the following teams:
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- San Diego Chargers
- Carolina Panthers
- Cleveland Browns
- Detroit Lions
- Dallas Cowboys
- Atlanta Falcons
His regular-season appearances came with Detroit and Atlanta.
In 2017, Redfern played for the Detroit Lions and made his NFL regular-season debut. He later joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, where he appeared in four games.
Across his regular-season NFL career, he recorded 10 punts for 421 yards, averaging 42.1 yards per punt, according to published career statistics.
While those numbers represent a relatively brief playing career, reaching the NFL is a significant accomplishment for athletes who spend years developing their abilities and competing for opportunities.
Redfern’s path through the league was one of persistence, with different teams providing opportunities at various stages of his professional journey.
His College Football Years at Wofford
Before entering the NFL, Redfern played college football for the Wofford Terriers from 2010 to 2013.
At Wofford, he handled both kicking and punting responsibilities. His college career helped prepare him for the demands of professional football, where specialist players must perform consistently under pressure.
Redfern also received academic recognition during his college years, including selection to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
His time at Wofford established connections that continued beyond his playing days. Former teammates and members of the football community later paid tribute to him after learning of his death.
Rob Greene, a former Wofford teammate and roommate who later became a coach at Texas Tech, remembered Redfern as a great man, husband, father, and friend.
The tribute emphasized that Redfern’s influence extended beyond the field and into the relationships he maintained with those who knew him personally.
Kasey Redfern’s Wife and Two Sons
Redfern is survived by his wife, Lauryl, and their two sons, Logan and Ollie.
Throughout his illness, Lauryl shared updates about his condition and the family’s efforts to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of his cancer treatment.
Her public messages offered insight into the difficult decisions that came with his declining health. When treatment could no longer continue, the family turned its attention toward comfort and spending time together.
The couple’s two children now face the loss of their father, while Lauryl must navigate bereavement after years of supporting her husband through a serious illness.
The family had also received financial support during the cancer battle through a fundraising campaign established to help with expenses. Reports published following his death described the fundraiser as having raised tens of thousands of dollars.
The family’s experience has drawn sympathy from people who followed Redfern’s illness and from those who knew him through football.
Tributes Remember Redfern as a Husband, Father, and Friend
Following news of his death, tributes highlighted Redfern’s character and the way he faced his illness.
His wife described him as someone who continued smiling and maintained his faith throughout the struggle. Her remarks conveyed the hope he held even as his condition worsened.
Former teammate Rob Greene also offered a tribute that focused on Redfern’s personal qualities and relationships rather than solely on his achievements in professional football.
Such messages have helped place his sporting career in the context of a fuller life. For those who knew him, Redfern was more than an NFL punter. He was a family member, a friend, and someone whose presence mattered to the people around him.
His death at 35 has also brought attention to the difficult reality of serious illness affecting people at a relatively young age.
Key Facts About Kasey Redfern
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kasey Redfern |
| Date of birth | September 26, 1991 |
| Age at death | 35 |
| Date of death | October 13, 2026 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former professional football punter |
| College | Wofford College |
| Reported cause of death | Complications following a battle with central nervous system lymphoma and a cancerous brain tumor |
| Initial diagnosis | 2023 |
| NFL teams | Jaguars, Chargers, Panthers, Browns, Lions, Cowboys, Falcons |
| Wife | Lauryl Redfern |
| Children | Two sons, Logan and Ollie |
| Hospice care | Began in late September 2026 |
| Career highlight | Appeared in regular-season games for the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons |
Kasey Redfern’s Legacy
Kasey Redfern’s life combined a pursuit of professional football with a long and difficult fight against cancer.
His NFL journey took him through several organizations, offering opportunities to compete at the highest level of the sport. His time at Wofford College also formed an important part of his development as a player and connected him with teammates who remembered him after his death.
In his final years, however, his life was increasingly shaped by the demands of treatment and the support of his family.
The tributes shared after his passing emphasized his determination, faith, and devotion to the people closest to him. His wife’s updates also documented the emotional reality of living with a serious illness and making difficult decisions when treatment options become limited.
Redfern’s death at 35 leaves his wife and two sons grieving a husband and father, while former teammates and football fans remember his time in the sport.
For those who followed his career or his battle with cancer, his story is a reminder of the person behind the statistics and team affiliations: a man whose life included athletic ambition, family relationships, and a prolonged struggle to overcome a devastating illness.
Disclaimer
This article is based on published media reports about Kasey Redfern’s death, his football career, and his family’s public updates about his illness. Medical details are summarized from those reports and statements attributed to his wife. This article is intended for informational and memorial purposes and should not be considered an official funeral-home obituary or a substitute for a medical statement.