Cortez Kennedy was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for his entire 11-season career with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League.
16 Facts About Cortez Kennedy
2.
Cortez Kennedy was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
3.
Cortez Kennedy redefined and expanded the possibilities of how a large-bodied interior lineman could be used.
4.
Cortez Kennedy was born in Osceola, Arkansas, but grew up in the nearby town of Wilson.
5.
Cortez Kennedy graduated from Rivercrest High School in Wilson, 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.
6.
Cortez Kennedy was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
7.
Cortez Kennedy was the third overall selection in the 1990 draft by the Seahawks, and was unsigned until two days before the beginning of the season.
8.
Cortez Kennedy 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.
9.
Cortez Kennedy announced his retirement in August 2002 after sitting out the 2001 season.
10.
Cortez Kennedy was given several offers by other teams, but wanted to finish his career in Seattle.
11.
Cortez Kennedy is generally considered one of the best defensive tackles to ever play the position in the NFL.
12.
Cortez Kennedy 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.
13.
Cortez Kennedy was the second Hall of Famer to earn his credentials primarily as a Seahawk.
14.
Cortez Kennedy later moved to Arkansas and Orlando, Florida, where he raised his daughter Courtney and focused on her education.
15.
In 2006, Cortez Kennedy was inducted into the Seahawks' Ring of Honor.
16.
In 2007, Cortez Kennedy was named the best athlete ever to wear the number 96 by SI.