Former Detroit Lions punter Kasey Redfern has died aged 35 after a battle with central nervous system lymphoma, a form of brain cancer, his wife has said.
Redfern died on 13 October, around three and a half years after he was diagnosed with the disease. His wife, Lauryl, said he had moved into hospice care in September.
Kasey Redfern’s battle with brain cancer
Lauryl Redfern told the California Post that her husband had continued to fight despite the seriousness of his condition. A fundraising appeal said he was diagnosed with central nervous system lymphoma in April 2023.
“He shouldn’t have lived as long as he did,” she said. “But he fought an incredible fight. He smiled the whole way through, never questioned why and always knew God had a purpose for this, having great hope that his miracle would be healing on Earth.”
Redfern’s illness was shared publicly through updates from his wife and a GoFundMe campaign. His move into hospice care came after years of treatment.
Detroit Lions career
Redfern entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014. He later spent time with the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.
He joined the Lions in 2017 and became their starting punter after Sam Martin was sidelined. Redfern made one 50-yard punt in Detroit’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals before suffering a serious knee injury.
The Lions confirmed at the time that he had been hurt after attempting to run with a fumbled snap. The injury, which included torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, ended his season.
Redfern remained involved in professional football until 2019, continuing to pursue opportunities across the NFL after his spell in Detroit.
His death has prompted tributes from people connected to his playing career. Former NFL player Rob Greene described Redfern as a “great man, husband, father, and friend”.
