Remembering the best of Cortez Kennedy's career
Former Seattle Seahawks legend Cortez Kennedy died Tuesday, leaving the NFL community at-large in shock.
Kennedy, 48, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012, earning eight Pro Bowl and three first-team All-Pro selections.
One of the most dominant defensive players of the 1990s, here's a look at the best moments of Kennedy's decorated history:
Kennedy wins Defensive Player of the Year in 1992
It seems unlikely that we'll ever see a season quite like Kennedy's 1992 campaign, where he captured Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Kennedy featured as a true interior lineman and was primarily tasked with shutting down the opposition's run game. During his third season, Kennedy excelled in all facets, recording 14 sacks despite being engulfed in the trenches.
Without Kennedy, it's eminently possible that the 1992 Seahawks become the first team to go without a win during a 16-game season.
"We didn't have anyone that could block him. For him to win Defensive Player of the Year on a 2-14 team speaks volumes," teammate Mack Strong said on SiriusXM NFL Radio Tuesday.
Kennedy's legacy continued to live on well past the best season of his career. Since 1992, Dana Stubblefield and Warren Sapp are the only defensive tackles to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Saluting the 12th Man during HOF speech
Kennedy was fortunate enough to spend his entire career with the Seahawks organization, a feat he truly cherished.
During his speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2012, Kennedy paid tribute to the Seahawks' faithful, along with his teammates for their unequivocal support.
"This day, right now, this moment, is all about those who gave of themselves along the way, those who provided support and those who have cheered. It is all about the 12th Man! It is all about those who have come before and those who will come after. It is all about my beautiful daughter, Courtney. It is all about the players and friends I laugh with over the years. It is all about the teammates I cried with over the years both in victory and defeat. It is not only about winning or losing. It is so much bigger than that. It is about the relationships and about sharing and working hard together. It is about not taking short cuts. God bless America, and God bless the Seattle Seahawks!"
Kennedy steers Seahawks to playoffs in 1999
By no fault of his own, Kennedy was largely mired on awful Seahawks teams throughout his career, with the rest of the roster failing to challenge the AFC West. In 1999, Kennedy's luck briefly turned around, culminating in his lone playoff appearance.
During that season, Kennedy earned his eight and final Pro Bowl selection after recording 61 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and an astonishing two interceptions despite being aligned in the interior. In large part due to Kennedy's heroics, the Seahawks captured the AFC West.
Kennedy's triumph was short-lived, as the Seahawks lost to the Miami Dolphins during the wild-card round. Nonetheless, Kennedy's relentless commitment to the Seahawks organization was on full display throughout his career with the 1999 season best embodying his loyalty.