Cortez Kennedy

Kennedy was born in Osceola, Arkansas, but grew up in Wilson, Arkansas. He graduated from Rivercrest High School in Wilson, Arkansas, and attended Northwest Mississippi Community College before being awarded a football scholarship to the University of Miami, where he was named an All-American in 1989.

He was the third overall selection in the 1990 draft by the Seahawks, and was unsigned until two days before the beginning of the season. Kennedy was named to the Pro Bowl in 1991. In 1992, having recorded 14 quarterback sacks, he received the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press despite the Seahawks 2–14 record. He switched his jersey number to 99 that season in honor of close friend Jerome Brown, and was named First- or Second-team All-Pro five times.

Kennedy retired after the 2000 season. In 167 games with Seattle, he recorded 668 tackles, 58 sacks, and three interceptions. He announced his retirement in August 2002 after sitting out the 2001 season. He was given several offers by other teams, but wanted to finish his career in Seattle. He is generally considered one of the best defensive tackles to ever play the position in the NFL. He was a semi-finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008, as well as a finalist in 2009 and 2011, eventually being elected to the Hall as a member of the 2012 induction class. He was the second Hall of Famer to earn his credentials primarily as a Seahawk.

Kennedy was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

In 2006, Kennedy was inducted into the Seahawks' Ring of Honor. His jersey number, 96, was retired by the Seahawks during a game against the New England Patriots on October 14, 2012.

In 2007, Kennedy was named the best athlete ever to wear the number 96 by SI.com.

Kennedy died on May 23, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. He was 48 years old. According to police, Kennedy was alone when he died. In the days leading up to his death, Kennedy had experienced symptoms of heart failure, including swollen legs and dizziness, which led to him being hospitalized. Following his death, the main drag in Wilson, Arkansas was named for him.

Remembering Seahawks legend Cortez Kennedy on his birthday

Thursday is perhaps a somber one for the Seattle Seahawks as Aug. 23, 2018, would have been Hall of Fame defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy’s 50th birthday. The Seahawks legend passed away unexp…

Happy Birthday, Cortez Kennedy!

Did you know 48 of the 90 players on Seattle’s current roster were born after the Seahawks selected Cortez Kennedy in the 1990 draft?

Special happy birthday wishes to Cortez Kennedy | Special happy birthday wishes, Happy birthday wishes, Birthday wishes

Aug 25, 2014 - Saturday is Cortez Kennedy’s 46th birthday, and the reminders of just how great a player the Hall of Fame defense tackle was are everywhere in “The House That Tez Built.”