The NFL world is remembering Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Cortez Kennedy. The 48-year-old, 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee was found dead Tuesday at his home in Orlando.
Former teammates, opponents, coaches, and current players took to Twitter to honor the 8-time Pro Bowler simply known as Tez.
Seahawks coach Pete Carrol wrote. “We’ve lost an all time great Seahawk and a truly extraordinary man.” Marcus Trufant posted “Remembering as little Tacoma kid how Tez was a legend to the Seattle area.”
Heartbroken by this news. We've lost an all-time great Seahawk and a truly extraordinary man. Tez will be forever missed. https://t.co/Uek1YEYTRy
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) May 23, 2017
Another one of my brothers taken away Far too early #CortezKennedy #RIP #NFL #legend @Seahawks
— Ricky Watters (@RickyWatters) May 23, 2017
A terrible day, RIP to a close friend and great mentor Cortez Kennedy. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) May 23, 2017
In 1990 Seahawks draft Cortez Kennedy 3rd overall. Great career, great man. Now gone at 48. RIP Tez. NFL HOF, Seahawk ROH, ARK. BHOF.
— Jim Zorn (@JimZorn10) May 23, 2017
Remembering as little Tacoma kid how Tez was a legend to the Seattle area. Blessings & peace to family & friends https://t.co/UYtal2BxN2
— Marcus Trufant (@MarcusTrufant) May 23, 2017
Former Miami Hurricanes head coach Jimmy Johnson called Kennedy, “1 of the most talented players I ever recruited or coached.” Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway posted, “A great personality, a great player & I enjoyed competing against him. Prayers to his family.”
Shocked at Cortez Kennedy passing..1 of the most talented players I ever recruited or coached…a fun loving person a sad day..
— Jimmy Johnson (@JimmyJohnson) May 23, 2017
My heart goes out to Cortez Kennedy and his family #RIP
— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) May 23, 2017
This is one of my saddest days in my life to hear this news about Cortez Kennedy. He was my mentor and close friend and today is a struggle
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) May 23, 2017
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
Thoughts and prayers are with Cortez Kennedy's family. A great friend and the most genuine person you would ever want to meet.
#96 pic.twitter.com/b9sqX32FAw— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) May 23, 2017
Recently Kennedy served as an adviser to the New Orleans Saints He was a close friend of General Manager Mickey Loomis. Kennedy was godfather to Loomis’s daughter Lucy. He released a statement through the Saints calling Kennedy the “most caring and best father” he knew.
Statement from Mickey Loomis on the passing of Cortez Kennedy: pic.twitter.com/0awRT5JUET
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 23, 2017
While an investigation is ongoing, Orlando police stated there was nothing suspicious about Kennedy’s death.
(KPUG – Doug Lange)