Frederick “Fredd” Kimball Young passed away on September 15, 2026, leaving behind a life filled with remarkable accomplishments, treasured friendships and, above all, a family he loved deeply.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Fredd came to Las Cruces to play football at New Mexico State University and found the place he would call home. He became one of the greatest players in Aggie history before enjoying a seven-year NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts, earning four Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors. He was later inducted into the New Mexico State Hall of Fame, Aggie Football Ring of Honor, New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame, and named one of the 50 greatest players in Seahawks history.

There was even a story behind the extra “d” in Fredd. Brit Mayberry, a teammate at New Mexico State, joked that he hit opponents so hard he made them stutter, “Fre-d-d.” The name stuck.

As impressive as his football career was, it was never what defined him.

Fredd was a humble, loving man who never met a stranger. His big smile and bright blue eyes were unmistakable, and he had a natural way of making everyone feel welcome. He loved a round of golf, cruising around Las Cruces in his truck or on his motorcycle, catching up with old friends, and, more than anything, being there for the people he loved.

Fredd was passionate about coaching youth sports and mentoring young athletes. Driven by the belief that every child should have the opportunity to participate, he often sponsored registration fees, equipment, and uniforms so that no child would be left out. He loved sharing stories from his years of coaching with family and friends.

Around Las Cruces, it was hard to go anywhere with Fredd without someone stopping to say hello and talk with him—a testament to the many lives he touched and the connections he made wherever he went.

His greatest joy was his family. Fredd leaves behind his sisters Pat and Ann; his loving wife, Michelle; his children, Jessica, Freddy Jr. and wife Kelsey, Matthew, Monroe, Fenix, Jeremiah and Amirah; and his beloved grandchildren, Jaysha, Jarah, Jianika, Titus, Cassius, Justus and Sunday. He is also survived by many relatives and great friends. His beloved mom, Mary, preceded Fredd in death.

Fredd loved Michelle deeply, and the two shared a life rooted in family, community and their love for the Aggies. They were familiar faces together at nearly every Aggie football and basketball game, cheering on the university and community that meant so much to them. But some of their happiest moments were much simpler, being at home together, surrounded by their children and grandchildren. They adored being grandparents, and summer days often meant a house full of grandkids, swimming in the pool, laughing and making the kind of memories that will now be treasured forever.

He was enormously proud of all of them. His sons continued the family’s football tradition, with Freddy Jr. playing at the University of New Mexico, Matthew at New Mexico State and Texas Tech, and Monroe at the University of California, Berkeley. But there was something especially sweet about watching his grandchildren. Grandpa loved being in the stands, watching them play, celebrating their accomplishments and simply seeing them grow.

Fredd gave his family some pretty incredible athletic genes, but what he leaves them is far greater: his humility, his strength, his kindness, his love for family and the example of a life well lived. Those are the pieces of him that will continue through his family.

Fredd accomplished things most people can only dream of, yet he remained the same warm, approachable man that Las Cruces came to know and love.

He will be deeply missed as a Brother, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Teammate, Coach, neighbor, and friend and forever remembered as an Aggie, Seahawk, and Colt.

The Young family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends and fans consider a memorial contribution in Fredd Young’s name to the New Mexico State Goal Line Club:

NMStateGLC.com

A Memorial Reception will be on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. at Aggie Memorial Stadium at the Stan Fulton Center • Las Cruces, New Mexico. Family, friends, former teammates, fans and members of the community are invited to join the Young family in celebrating Fredd’s life.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapel and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 575-527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” For online condolences log on to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com