The Seattle Seahawks on Friday announced that they will honor late Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy with a decal throughout the entire 2017 season.
Kennedy, an eight-time Pro Bowler during his time with the Seahawks, passed away back in May at the young age of 48. The cause of Kennedy’s death is not yet known.
But for the Seahawks, it was a major loss. Kennedy remained active within the community and stayed close to the organization prior to his death.
“A week after the death of Seahawks legend Cortez Kennedy, the Seahawks took the field for organized team activities with No. 96 decals on the backs of their helmets to honor Kennedy, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Seahawks Ring of Honor. The Seahawks will wear the decal throughout the 2017 season,” the team announced on Friday.
Kennedy played for the Seahawks from 1990-2000 after being selected No. 3 overall out of Miami (F). He would go on to earn six consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, racking up 45.5 sacks during that span. Ultimately, Kennedy was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame back in 2012.
“He went through a 2-14 season and was able to get defensive player of the year; he was a great player, but more importantly, he was just an awesome person off the field,” current Seahawks Pro Bowler Bobby Wagner said. “Great guy to be around, funny, and everybody that he met, he touched in some form or fashion. So we’re definitely going to miss him.”
Seahawks players will wear a No. 96 decal this upcoming season to honor the late-great former defensive tackle. It’s a number he wore for the vast majority of his 11-year career in the Pacific Northwest.