NFL Hall of Fame Seahawks defender dead at 48

pulse 19:55 - 23 May 2017

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy poses with his bust during the Class of 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony

Police said there was nothing suspicious about his death but an investigation was being conducted because he was unattended when he died.

Kennedy was a starting defensive tackle on the University of Miami's 1989 national college championship team and selected with the third overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft by Seattle.

Spending his entire NFL career with the Seahawks, Kennedy was selected to the Pro Bowl all-star game eight times, earning the 1992 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award after making 14 quarterback sacks that season.

Kennedy made 58 career sacks and made or assisted on 668 tackles, recovered six fumbles and intercepted three passes over 167 games, playing a reserve role only in his debut campaign.

Kennedy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, the same year the Seahawks retired his number 96 jersey.