It’s a sad day in the NFL, as Pro Football Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy passes away at the age of 48 in Orlando on Tuesday.
TMZ reports that former NFL defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy has passed away at the age of 48 in Orlando on Tuesday. Kennedy is one of the greatest players in Seattle Seahawks franchise history. He spent his entire NFL career (1990-2000) with the Seahawks, as one of the best defensive tackles in football.
The cause of Kennedy’s untimely death remains unclear, but TMZ reports that members of his family are making the trek to Orlando in the wake of his death. The Orlando Police Department “confirmed Kennedy’s passing….but they added ‘there is nothing suspicious’ about his death.”
Kennedy was an eight-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro while with the Seahawks. He was at his peak as a professional form 1992 to 1994 when he made all three of his All-Pro first team selections.
NFL Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy Dead At 48 https://t.co/Kfw1dLJNJM
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 23, 2017
Kennedy was 1992’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team and has his No. 96 jersey retired by the Seahawks organization. Retiring from football in 2000, Kennedy recorded 668 career tackles and 58.0 quarterback sacks as an interior defensive lineman.
While he is best known for being a Pro Football Hall of Famer, member of the 2012 Hall of Fame Class, Kennedy first came on the scene as a member of the Miami Hurricanes. During his time in Coral Gables, The U won two national titles (1987,1989) under then head coach Jimmy Johnson with Kennedy as an important part of their front-seven.
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Kennedy is in that upper echelon of both Miami and Seattle greats. Prior to the arrival of the Pete Carroll in Seattle, Kennedy is without question one of the five greatest players in Seahawks history. He is adored in the manner that Shaun Alexander, Walter Jones and Steve Largent are by The 12th Man.