Former Seattle Seahawks defender Cortez Kennedy has died. Reports of the 48-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer surfaced on Tuesday afternoon, shocking many in the NFL world.
TMZ first reported the death, which happened in Orland, Florida.
We spoke to Orlando PD who confirmed Kennedy’s passing … but they added “there is nothing suspicious” about his death.
Kennedy was a stalwart for the Seahawks defense, playing 167-games for Seattle in his 11-year career. He made eight Pro Bowls, and his 568 tackles and 58 career sacks were enough to get him inducted into Canton in 2012.
The sports world quickly reacted to the unexpected passing of the Seahawks great.
Really sad to lose a guy like Cortez Kennedy. A great personality, a great player & I enjoyed competing against him. Prayers to his family.
— John Elway (@johnelway) May 23, 2017
Kennedy played at the University of Miami in college, and the UM community was heartbroken by his loss.
I just got New one of my best friends Cortez Kennedy pass this morning my condolence goes out to his this is going to be hard. R.I.P TEZ
— Luther Luke Campbell (@unclelukereal1) May 23, 2017
Many remembered Kennedy as a force for the ‘Canes.
RIP Cortez Kennedy, all I remember from your career at Miami was you being a brick wall in cleats pic.twitter.com/eynJEn20VE
— 🗿BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL🗿 (@edsbs) May 23, 2017
Current Miami coach Mark Richt Tweeted about Kennedy’s passing on Tuesday as well.
So sorry to hear about my fellow football alum Cortez Kennedy. My prayers to his family. U Family!
— Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) May 23, 2017
Some couldn’t believe he was gone so soon, including George Foster.
NOOOOOO, NOT TEZ!! https://t.co/lhVkV1qXjg
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) May 23, 2017
Many pointed to not just Kennedy’s play—but also his character—in remembering the NFL legend.
Sad, sad news. Cortez Kennedy was a tremendous player and a totally beautiful person. RIP, BIG MAN. https://t.co/s9sN7ppY0f
— Danny O'Neil, Noted Fisch fan (@dannyoneil) May 23, 2017
Sports Illustrated tweeted out its 1992 feature on Kennedy, which is pretty excellent.
https://twitter.com/si_nfl/status/867074664371281921
Many found the photo of him hugging his own bust at the Pro Football Hall of Fame to be the most touching tribute to the Seahawks great.
https://twitter.com/russbengtson/status/867069033820172288
Though no cause of death has been determined yet, it’s another sad loss of a former player far too early.
https://twitter.com/russbengtson/status/867069033820172288
