Cortez Kennedy dominated the line of scrimmage, transforming the defensive tackle position during his legendary career with the Seattle Seahawks.
CORTEZ KENNEDY
Football Bio
August 23, 1968 – Osceola, Arkansas – Cortez Kennedy was a 1989 All-American defensive tackle from the University of Miami and was born on that day.
After college, he had a great 11-year career with the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him as the third pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, and he was named an All-Pro five times.
Kennedy was a 1992 NFL Defensive Player of the Year after recording 14 sacks that season.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined this great player in 2012.
Kennedy leaves behind a legacy of absolute dominance, securing his place as one of the greatest interior defensive linemen in NFL history. He anchored the Seahawks’ defense for over a decade and earned his rightful spot in Canton.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2012.
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year: 1992.
- 8× Pro Bowl Selection: 1991–1996, 1998, 1999.
- 3× First-Team All-Pro: 1992–1994.
- 2× Second-Team All-Pro: 1991, 1996.
- NFL 1990s All-Decade Team: Selected for his sustained excellence throughout the decade.
- Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor: Inducted in 2006.
- Retired Number: His #96 jersey was retired by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012.
- National Champion (College): 1987 (Northwest Mississippi CC) and 1989 (Miami).
- Second-Team All-American: 1989 (Miami).
- Career NFL Stats: Recorded 668 tackles, 58 sacks, and 3 interceptions over 167 games played.
