ORLANDO, Fla. – Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy died in Orlando Tuesday at the age of 48, according to Orlando police.
One of the best defensive lineman of his generation, Kennedy was a star in his 11 seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks. He became the second Seattle player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. He was an unmovable wall as a dominant defensive tackle, and a quiet, gentle soul away from the field never interested in finding himself in the spotlight.
Kennedy was an eight-time Pro Bowler and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 1992.
Kennedy was drafted third-overall in the 1990 draft out of Miami, according to the NFL.
So sorry to hear about my fellow football alum Cortez Kennedy. My prayers to his family. U Family!
— Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) May 23, 2017
Kennedy was one of the University of Miami’s greats and selected for the UM Football Ring of Honor in 2008, the Miami Herald reported.
Former UM coach and NFL broadcaster Jimmy Johnson said in a tweet that Kennedy was one of the most talented players he ever recruited or coached.
“A fun loving person, a sad day,” Johnson said.
“So sorry to hear about my fellow football alum Cortez Kennedy,” UM football coach Mark Richt said in a Tweet. “My prayers to his family. U Family!”
Kennedy, 48, owned a home on Kensington Shore Drive in Lake Nona, records show.
The former NFL defensive tackle purchased the home in 2008 for more than $1.3 million, according to Orange County records.
Police confirmed Kennedy's death and said there was nothing suspicious about it. However, an investigation will look into his unintended death, an OPD spokeswoman said.
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
The Associated Press contributed to this report.