Kennedy, Cortez
Football
b. Aug. 23, 1968, Osceola, AR
After attending Northwest Mississippi Community College, Kennedy won a football scholarship to the University of Miami and was named an All-American at defensive tackle in 1989.
The Seattle Seahawks made him the third player chosen in the 1990 NFL draft. He stayed out of training camp while his contract was being negotiated and finally signed just two days before the season began.
As a result, Kennedy got off to a slow start, but in 1991 he went to the Pro Bowl and the following season he was named to The Sporting News All-Pro team after recording 14 quarterback sacks. A nose tackle with Seattle, the 6-foot-3, 293-pound Kennedy had amazing quickness as well as strength and usually occupied two blockers.
He retired after the 2000 season. In 167 games with Seattle, he had 668 tackles, 58 sacks, and 3 interceptions.