Jan 15, 2022

Former Kansas City Chief found dead in federal prison

Posted Jan 15, 2022 3:00 AM
Saousoalii Siavii, Jr. booking photo from a previous arrest by Independence, Missouri Police
Saousoalii Siavii, Jr. booking photo from a previous arrest by Independence, Missouri Police

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle was found dead in a Kansas federal prison where he was being held on charges of illegal firearms possession, a prison official said.

Saousoalii Siavii Jr., 43, was found unresponsive at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth on Thursday afternoon, U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Anna Armijo said in a statement, The Kansas City Star reported.

Siavii was treated by prison staff and taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The prison did not release additional details about Siavii’s death.

From American Samoa, the former Oregon lineman was drafted by Kansas City in the second round in 2004 and spent two seasons with the Chiefs. He played for Dallas in 2009 and Seattle in 2010.