Former NFL Punter Kasey Redfern Dies at 35 After Three-Year Brain Cancer Battle

 NORTH CAROLINA — Kasey Redfern, a former NFL punter and standout at Wofford College, reportedly died on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at age 35 after a three-year battle with brain cancer. His passing has left his family, friends, former teammates, coaches, and football fans grieving the loss of an athlete remembered for his determination and the love he showed those closest to him. Beyond his career in football, Redfern was a husband and father whose life reached far beyond the field.

A native of Jamestown, North Carolina, Redfern was diagnosed in 2023 with a cancerous brain tumor and central nervous system lymphoma. He underwent extensive medical treatment while confronting the illness, continuing a difficult fight that brought significant challenges for him and his family. According to the account shared by his loved ones, his health declined considerably in September 2026. His final weeks brought a painful shift in focus from continued treatment toward comfort and time with family.

On September 26, his 35th birthday, his wife, Lauryl Redfern, shared an emotional update explaining that he was transitioning into hospice care following serious medical complications. She described severe memory loss, repeated falls, vomiting, and neurological difficulties associated with the effects of prolonged treatment. In her message, Lauryl wrote that his brain had endured as much treatment as it could take. Her words conveyed the difficult reality facing the family as they focused on his comfort during his remaining time.

Redfern’s football journey included both college achievement and opportunities at the professional level. After playing for Wofford College, he entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He subsequently spent time with several organizations, including the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Falcons. His career brought opportunities to pursue the sport at its highest level, even as he navigated the uncertainty and competition of professional football.

His path through the NFL was not without setbacks, but Redfern continued pursuing his football ambitions with persistence. For athletes seeking to establish themselves professionally, moving between teams can demand patience, adaptability, and resilience. His time with multiple organizations formed a significant part of his athletic story and connected him with teammates, coaches, and staff across the league. Those relationships now form part of the wider football community remembering him after his reported death.

Away from football, Redfern was remembered for his humility, kindness, faith, and commitment to his family. He leaves behind Lauryl and their two young sons, Ollie and Logan. His death means his children will grow up without their father’s daily presence, while family members hold close the memories they made together. Former teammates, coaches, and friends have offered tributes that emphasize the person behind the athlete, honoring qualities that mattered just as much as his accomplishments on the field.

As loved ones mourn, condolences are being extended to Lauryl, Ollie, Logan, the wider Redfern family, and everyone affected by his death. His three-year illness brought difficult medical decisions and profound uncertainty, but the tributes shared after his passing focus on courage, faith, family devotion, and perseverance. Kasey Redfern’s story will remain connected to his football career and to the people who knew him beyond the game. May he rest in peace, and may his family find strength and comfort in the love surrounding them.