Seahawks Legend Cortez Kennedy Passes Away

Kennedy was 48 years old

Cortez Kennedy passed away suddenly at his home in Orlando on Tuesday. Kennedy was alone at the time of his death and, according to the Orlando police, “there is nothing suspicious to report” about the events surrounding his passing. Kennedy is remembered by fellow players and members of the media as a great player and equally good person.

The Seattle Seahawks organization issued a statement on the passing of Kennedy. Clare Farnsworth, who covered Kennedy’s career, has an excellent piece at Seahawks.com. Several former players have tweeted their sadness at Kennedy’s unexpected death.

The Legacy of Kennedy

Kennedy was the second Seahawk to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. He was part of the NFL Team of the Decade of the 1990s. In 1992 he was voted as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after accumulating 14 sacks and 92 tackles. Amazing statistics for a defensive lineman.

710 ESPN Seattle’s Dave Wyman, who was a former teammate of Kennedy, spoke today about how different Kennedy was on the field versus off it. On the field, Kennedy was nasty when needed but still a class act. Off the field, Kennedy never met a person who was a stranger. Kennedy was a kind person that people found welcoming and not intimidating, despite his size.

As has been pointed out in other pieces, Kennedy would certainly be a member of any Mount Rushmore of Seahawks. More than that, however, Kennedy will be missed as a good person. There are simply not enough Cortez Kennedys in the world.