Kony Ealy

Ealy attended New Madrid County Central in New Madrid, Missouri, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track. In football, he notched 89 tackles, including 31 tackles for loss, and 10.5 quarterback sacks while adding 21 quarterback hurries in his junior season; on offense, he caught 22 passes for 501 yards and 3 touchdowns.

He was a first-team All-state, All-conference, All-region and All-district selection as a senior, after he amassed 104 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 31 quarterback pressures, 5 forced fumbles, 7 pass break ups, 4 blocked kicks. He was also a standout in basketball, where he earned All-state, and numerous All-district, All-region and All-conference honors.{{Cite web |title=Kony Ealy |url=http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kony_ealy_690205.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015112545/http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kony_ealy_690205.html |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=January 4, 2014 |website=Missouri Tigers Athletics}}

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Ealy was rated as the 11th best weakside defensive end prospect of his class.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ryan-grant-2.html |title=Ryan Grant Stats | College Football at |website=Sports-reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=September 16, 2016}}

{{College athlete recruit start|40=yes|collapse=no|year=2010}}

{{College athlete recruit entry

| recruit = Kony Ealy

| position = DE

| hometown = New Madrid, Missouri

| highschool = New Madrid County Central High School

| feet = 6

| inches = 5

| weight = 230

| 40 = 4.65

| commitdate = February 3, 2010

| scout stars = 4

| rivals stars = 4

| 247 stars = 4

| espn grade= 78

}}

{{College athlete recruit end

| 40 = yes

| year = 2010

| rivals ref title = Missouri Football Commitment List (23)

| scout ref title = 2010 Missouri College Football Recruiting Commits

| espn ref title = ESPN

| rivals school = missouri

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| espn schoolid = 2509

| scout overall = 13 (DE)

| rivals overall = 11 (DE), 3 (MO)

| espn overall = 49 (DE)

| accessdate = August 29, 2014

| bball =

}}

Ealy accepted a football scholarship from the University of Missouri. In 2010, he was redshirted as a true freshman. In 2011, Ealy earned a back-up role, recording 13 tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss in 12 games. He made his first career start at Baylor. During the Independence Bowl against North Carolina, Ealy recorded 2 tackles, including a half-tackle for loss. He was named to the Big 12 Conference All-Freshman Team.

In 2012, he started 10 games for the Tigers, recording 37 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 7 pass break-ups, and 5 quarterback pressures. In 2013, he started all 14 games, setting a new career high in tackles with 43, tackles for loss with 14.5, and sacks with 9.5, while forcing three fumbles and intercepting one pass which he returned 49 yards for a touchdown against Indiana. For his play, Ealy was named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Ealy announced on January 3, 2014, that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/missouri-de-kony-ealy-will-enter-2014-nfl-draft-0ap2000000308845 |title=Missouri DE Kony Ealy will enter 2014 NFL Draft |website=NFL.com |date=January 4, 2014 |access-date=September 16, 2016}}

As a sophomore the year before, Ealy was given a third round grade by the NFL Draft Advisory Board, which is typically conservative when projecting the draft positions of underclassmen.{{cite web|last=Latsch |first=Nate |url=http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/ealy-s-strong-season-for-tigers-draws-notice-from-opponents-nfl-scouts-123113 |title=Kony Ealy's strong season for Missouri Tigers draws notice from opponents, NFL scouts |work=FOX Sports |date=December 31, 2013 |access-date=September 16, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2009/04/28/asher-allen-ignored-nfl-projection/ |title=Asher Allen ignored NFL projection | UGA sports blog |access-date=September 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907034520/http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2009/04/28/asher-allen-ignored-nfl-projection/ |archive-date=September 7, 2014 }} Following his breakout junior campaign, Ealy was a projected first round pick by numerous outlets, including the Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman,{{cite web|url=http://blackandbluereview.com/60th-pick-nfl-draft-panthers-select-kony-ealy/ |title=Panthers' 2nd-Round Pick: Missouri DE Kony Ealy |website=Blackandbluereview.com |date=May 9, 2014 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} with some projecting him as a potential top 10 selection.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=107040&draftyear=2014&genpos=DE |title=*Kony Ealy | Missouri, DE : 2014 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |website=Nfldraftscout.com |date=September 21, 2006 |access-date=September 16, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1737527/kony-ealy |title=Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=September 16, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Joseph Zucker |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1910703-kony-ealy-officially-announces-he-will-enter-2014-nfl-draft |title=Kony Ealy Officially Announces He Will Enter 2014 NFL Draft |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=January 4, 2014 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} His combination of length, athleticism, and versatility drew comparisons to players including Robert Quinn, Michael Bennett, and Chandler Jones.{{cite web|last=Dinkins |first=Chad |url=http://withthefirstpick.com/2014/02/03/2014-nfl-draft-scouting-report-kony-ealy-de-missouri/ |title=2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report - Kony Ealy, DE Missouri |website=Withthefirstpick.com |date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones noted after the 2014 NFL draft that had the Cowboys not traded the number 47 overall selection in a deal to move up to select Boise State defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, they would have used that pick to draft Ealy, whom they regarded as an immediate starter.{{cite web | last=Goodbread | first=Chase | title=Cowboys VP: We likely would have drafted Ealy absent trade | website=NFL.com | date=2014-05-14 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cowboys-vp-we-likely-would-have-drafted-ealy-absent-trade-0ap2000000350323 | access-date=2025-02-05}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

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| cone drill = 6.83

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| arm span = 34+1/4

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| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web|author=Nolan Nawrocki |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/kony-ealy?id=2543484 |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Kony Ealy |website=Nfl.com |date=February 13, 2013 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} or Missouri Pro Day

}}

File:Kony Ealy.jpg in 2014]]

Ealy was selected by the Panthers in the second round (60th overall) pick of the 2014 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/draft.htm |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On May 29, 2014, he signed a four-year $3.55 million deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/kony-ealy/ |title=Kony Ealy Contract Details, Salary Cap Breakdowns, Salaries, Bonuses |website=Spotrac.com |access-date=September 16, 2016}} Per Pro Football Focus, Ealy was one of the highest-graded run defenders of the NFL in the preseason.{{cite web|url=http://insidethenumbers.sportsblog.com/posts/1068037/panthers_2014_draft_class_could_be_best_in_years.html |title=Inside the Numbers :: Panthers 2014 Draft Class could be best in years |access-date=September 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030231615/http://insidethenumbers.sportsblog.com/posts/1068037/panthers_2014_draft_class_could_be_best_in_years.html |archive-date=October 30, 2014 }} He made his NFL debut performance in Week 2 when the Panthers defeated the Detroit Lions in a 24–7 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16773/kony-ealy |title=Kony Ealy Stats, News, Videos, Highlights, Pictures, Bio - Carolina Panthers |website=Espn.go.com |date=December 21, 1991 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} In their Week 8 matchup against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, Ealy had his best game of the season with two solo tackles and the first sack of his NFL career against Russell Wilson.{{cite web|author=Brandon Croce |url=http://profootball.scout.com/story/1473356-panthers-defensive-grades-for-week-8?s=127 |title=Panthers' Defensive Grades for Week 8 - Nfl - Scout |website=Profootball.scout.com |date=October 26, 2014 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} In their Week 14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ealy recorded his second career NFL sack against Josh McCown. Ealy followed this up with another sack of Brian Hoyer during the Panthers Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns, beating Joe Thomas.{{cite web|url=http://blackandbluereview.com/observations-browns-at-panthers-second-half/ |title=Observations: Browns at Panthers, Second Half - BBR |access-date=December 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225145018/http://blackandbluereview.com/observations-browns-at-panthers-second-half/ |archive-date=December 25, 2014 }} On December 23, 2014, Ealy was named to Sports Illustrated All-Rookie Team.{{cite web|author=Doug Farrar |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2014/12/23/best-nfl-rookies-2014-teddy-bridgewater-aaron-donald |title=Best NFL rookies 2014: Teddy Bridgewater, Aaron Donald, more |website=SI.com |date=December 23, 2014 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} During the final game of the season, Ealy recorded a sack on Atlanta quarterback, Matt Ryan, recording a sack in each of the final three games of his rookie season. Over the final four games of the season, Ealy also recorded nine QB pressures to double his total over any other four game segment of his rookie season.{{cite web|author=Bryan Knowles |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2472856-5-carolina-panthers-players-poised-for-a-breakout-campaign-in-2015/page/4 |title=5 Carolina Panthers Players Poised for a Breakout Campaign in 2015 |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=May 22, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} Ealy finished his rookie season with 12 tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2014.htm |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Ealy's development continued through the 2015 preseason where he recorded two sacks and was named a full-time starter opposite to Charles Johnson.{{Cite web |last=Person |first=Joseph |date=2015-08-30 |title=Panthers coach Rivera says he’s found his new defensive end: Kony Ealy |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article32830542.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Charlotte Observer}} During the Panthers Week 2 victory over the Houston Texans, Ealy recorded his first quarterback pressure of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.carolinahuddle.com/index.html/articles/panthers-pff-grades-defense-r636/ |title=Panthers PFF Grades - Defense - Carolina Panthers - Carolina Huddle |access-date=October 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003042219/http://www.carolinahuddle.com/index.html/articles/panthers-pff-grades-defense-r636/ |archive-date=October 3, 2015 }} During the Panthers Week 4 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ealy recorded a career-high five tackles, 1 TFL, and a QB hit.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400791701 |title=Panthers vs. Buccaneers - Box Score - October 4, 2015 |website=Espn.go.com |date=October 4, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} During the Panthers victory over the Indianapolis Colts during Week 7, Ealy recorded his first strip sack of the season against quarterback Andrew Luck.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts-carolina-panthers-20151102029/ |title=Indianapolis at Carolina | 2015-11-02 | National Football League | Yahoo! Sports |website=Sports.yahoo.com |access-date=September 16, 2016}} During the Panthers 37–29 victory over the Green Bay Packers that helped the Panthers move to 8–0 in the first time in franchise history, Ealy recorded a strip sack for the second consecutive week against quarterback Aaron Rodgers.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/green-bay-packers-carolina-panthers-20151108029/ |title=Green Bay at Carolina | 2015-11-08 | National Football League | Yahoo! Sports |website=Sports.yahoo.com |access-date=September 16, 2016}} Ealy managed 10 quarterback pressures through six games, but recorded six over the last two games.{{cite web|author=Bryan Strickland |url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Notes-Ealy-picking-up-pace/8b08a05f-672b-4768-9147-7f58cc71dec1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808074403/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Notes-Ealy-picking-up-pace/8b08a05f-672b-4768-9147-7f58cc71dec1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |title=Notes: Ealy picking up pace |website=Panthers.com |date=November 12, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} The following week, Ealy picked up a sack in his third straight game against Marcus Mariota during the Panthers 27–10 victory over the Tennessee Titans.{{cite web |url=http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-at-titans-stats-and-superlatives/ |title=Panthers at Titans: Stats and Superlatives |website=Blackandbluereview.com |date=November 15, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129221056/http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-at-titans-stats-and-superlatives/ |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }} The next week, during the Panthers 44–16 victory over the Washington Redskins to move them to 10–0, Ealy had his fourth straight game with a sack of quarterback Kirk Cousins and on the same play, recorded a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112206/2015/REG11/redskins@panthers#tab=analyze&analyze=boxscore&menu=gameinfo |title=Watch Washington Redskins vs. Carolina Panthers |website=NFL.com |access-date=September 16, 2016}} During the Panthers 33–14 victory over the Cowboys, Ealy recorded a sack in his 5th straight game.{{cite web|last=Brinson |first=Will |url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/panthers-kony-ealy-records-sack-in-fifth-straight-game/ |title=Panthers' Kony Ealy: Records sack in fifth straight game |website=CBSSports.com |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} During Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos, Ealy tied the Super Bowl record and set the Panthers' postseason record with three sacks, accomplishing this in only 23 total snaps. In addition, he recorded an interception and forced fumble in the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56834/DEN_Gamebook.pdf|title=Super Bowl 50 - National Football League Game Summary|work=NFL.com|access-date=August 7, 2017}} The Panthers lost the Super Bowl by a score of 24–10.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201602070den.htm|title=Super Bowl 50 - Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers - February 7th, 2016|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=August 7, 2017}} Ealy became the first player in Super Bowl history to have an interception and multiple sacks. He was the first player since 1993 to record multiple sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in a postseason game.{{cite web|url=http://blackandbluereview.com/kony-ealy-super-bowl/ |title=Kony Ealy's Breakout Game Not Enough for Panthers |website=Blackandbluereview.com |date=February 8, 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2016}} He tied both Reggie White and Darnell Dockett for the most sacks in a Super Bowl with three.

In 2016, Ealy played all 16 games, but only started six. He recorded 32 tackles, five sacks, and one interception.

On March 10, 2017, Ealy was traded to the New England Patriots along with a third-round draft pick in the 2017 NFL draft in exchange for New England's 2017 second-round draft pick.{{cite web|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-trade-Kony-Ealy-to-Patriots/8e715b2d-8939-4d4d-97d2-f0d331e8d08a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411230542/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-trade-Kony-Ealy-to-Patriots/8e715b2d-8939-4d4d-97d2-f0d331e8d08a|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2018|title=Panthers trade Kony Ealy to Patriots|work=Panthers.com|date=March 10, 2017|first=Bryan |last=Strickland}}{{cite web|title=Carolina Panthers trade DE Kony Ealy to Patriots|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/carolina-panthers-trade-de-kony-ealy-to-patriots-0ap3000000792321|author=Sessler, Marc|website=NFL.com|date=March 10, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Patriots acquire WR Brandin Cooks in a trade with New Orleans; Acquire DL Kony Ealy in a trade with Carolina|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/03/11/patriots-acquire-wr-brandin-cooks-trade-new-orleans-acquire-dl-kony-ealy-trade|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411092551/http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/03/11/patriots-acquire-wr-brandin-cooks-trade-new-orleans-acquire-dl-kony-ealy-trade|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2018|website=Patriots.com|date=March 11, 2017}} On August 26, 2017, Ealy was waived by the team.{{cite web|title=Patriots Release DL Kony Ealy|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/08/26/patriots-release-dl-kony-ealy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503014943/http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/08/26/patriots-release-dl-kony-ealy|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 3, 2018|website=Patriots.com|date=August 26, 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Sessler|first1=Marc|title=Patriots release Kony Ealy|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000834797/article/patriots-parting-ways-with-defensive-end-kony-ealy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827045833/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000834797/article/patriots-parting-ways-with-defensive-end-kony-ealy|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2017|website=NFL.com|date=August 26, 2017}}

On August 27, 2017, Ealy was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.{{cite web|title=Jets Claim DE Kony Ealy|url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-7/Jets-Claim-DE-Kony-Ealy/cd946c46-131e-4abc-a020-b9b9e378b6fb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404173228/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-7/Jets-Claim-DE-Kony-Ealy/cd946c46-131e-4abc-a020-b9b9e378b6fb|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 4, 2018|author=Allen, Eric|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 27, 2017}} In the Week 4 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, he recorded his second interception after batting down a pass from quarterback Blake Bortles.{{cite web|work=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/71736/emotional-kony-ealy-receives-game-ball-after-difficult-week|title=Emotional Kony Ealy receives game ball after difficult week|date=October 1, 2017|first=Rich |last=Cimini|access-date=December 12, 2017}}

On April 5, 2018, he signed as a free agent with the Cowboys, who coveted him as a player since the 2014 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=Cowboys agree to terms with former Jets DE Kony Ealy|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cowboys-sign-former-jets-de-kony-ealy-0ap3000000925278|author=Shook, Nick|website=NFL.com|date=April 5, 2018}} He could never distinguish himself in preseason, even after being tried at defensive tackle. He was released on September 1.{{cite web|title=Bailey Not Only Surprise Cut As Cowboys Trim To 53|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/bailey-not-the-only-surprise-cut-as-cowboys-trim-to-53|author=Helman, David|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=September 1, 2018}}

On November 5, 2018, Ealy was signed by the Oakland Raiders.{{cite web|title=Raiders sign defensive end Kony Ealy|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-defensive-end-kony-ealy|website=Raiders.com|date=November 5, 2018}} He was released on November 13.{{cite web|title=Raiders announce transactions - 11.13.18|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-announce-transactions-11-13-18|website=Raiders.com|date=November 13, 2018}} He was signed on December 5.{{cite web|title=Raiders announce transactions - 12.5.18|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-announce-transactions-12-5-18|website=Raiders.com|date=December 5, 2018}} He wasn't re-signed after the season.

In October 2019, Ealy was picked by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL during the open phase of the 2020 XFL Draft.{{cite web|last=Bender|first=Bill|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/xfl-draft-tracker-results-picks-list-rosters-football-league/jahz8p84e4i61hb8lajqs4a22|title=XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league|website=Sporting News|date=October 21, 2019|access-date=October 22, 2019}} In March, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the league announced that it would be cancelling the rest of the season.{{cite web |title=XFL Injured Reserve |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-injured-reserve |website=XFL.com |access-date=February 25, 2020}} Playing in all 5 games, he had 9 tackles (2 for loss) and half a sack.{{cite web |title=XFL Knoy Ealy stats |url=https://stats.xfl.com/Player/10150 |website=XFL.com |access-date=February 6, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.{{cite news |author=Condotta, Bob |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}

On February 22, 2021, Ealy signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).{{cite web|url=https://www.argonauts.ca/2021/02/22/argos-add-former-2nd-round-nfl-pick-kony-ealy-ol-blake-camper/|title=ARGOS ADD FORMER 2ND ROUND NFL PICK KONY EALY AND OL BLAKE CAMPER|website=argonauts.ca|date=February 22, 2021|access-date=February 22, 2021}} In the following year, he was released with the final training camp cuts on June 5, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.argonauts.ca/2022/06/05/argos-transactions-june-5-2022/ |title=Argo transactions – June 5, 2022 |publisher=Toronto Argonauts |date=June 5, 2022}}

On June 15, 2022, Ealy signed with the Vegas Knight Hawks of the Indoor Football League (IFL).{{cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://goifl.com/transactions.aspx |website=goifl.com |access-date=June 26, 2022}}

On July 21, 2022, Ealy signed with the Edmonton Elks of the CFL.{{cite web |title=2022 CFL Transactions |url=https://www.cfl.ca/transactions/ |website=cfl.ca |access-date=December 25, 2022}} He was released on October 24, 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.cfl.ca/2023-transactions/ | title=2023 Transactions }}

Ealy has two sisters, LaToya Brown and Sierra Jones. Sierra is one-year older than Ealy and suffers from a rare, lifelong chromosome disorder.{{cite web|work=Panthers.com|url=http://www.panthers.com/media-vault/videos/Sacks-for-Sierra-with-Kony-Ealy/b916dc9e-a6ed-4f34-8b20-5337bf737601|title=NFL 360: Sacks for Sierra with Kony Ealy|date=December 27, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} LaToya died in September 2017 from a respiratory disease.{{cite web|work=USAToday.com|url=http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2017/10/01/jets-defensive-end-kony-ealy-gets-game-ball-in-wake-of-his-sisters-passing/|title=Jets defensive end Kony Ealy gets game ball in wake of sister's death|first=Tyler|last=Calvaruso|date=October 1, 2017 |access-date=December 12, 2017}}

He is a father of one daughter, Royal, who was born in November 2015.{{cite web|work=CharlotteObserver.com|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article81594087.html|title=Carolina Panthers DE Kony Ealy narrows focus to NFL, fatherhood|first=Jonathan|last=Jones|date=June 4, 2016|access-date=December 12, 2017}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

{{footballstats|yahoo=27588|espn=16773}}

• [https://www.goelks.com/players/kony-ealy-2/165677/ Edmonton Elks bio]
• [https://mutigers.com/sports/football/roster/kony-ealy/3081 Missouri Tigers bio]

{{Panthers2014DraftPicks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ealy, Kony}}

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from New Madrid, Missouri

Category:Players of American football from Missouri

Category:American football defensive ends

Category:Missouri Tigers football players

Category:Carolina Panthers players

Category:New England Patriots players

Category:New York Jets players

Category:Dallas Cowboys players

Category:Oakland Raiders players

Category:Houston Roughnecks players

Category:Toronto Argonauts players

Category:Vegas Knight Hawks players

Category:Edmonton Elks players

Category:Players of Canadian football from Missouri

Category:Canadian football defensive linemen