Cortez Kennedy was a beloved figure in the NFL world and his tragic passing stung many people in a sharp way. Many details have emerged on ailments Kennedy had prior to his death, including the Seattle Times reporting that Kennedy had complained of headaches and was forced to cancel an appearance at a Special Olympics event scheduled as a result of not feeling well.
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Now, though, TMZ reports additional information, including the fact that Kennedy had been hospitalized with swollen legs in the days leading up to his unfortunate death. The report indicates that Kennedy called a close friend just hours before passing away and included that he was "concerned about his health." Beyond that, TMZ indicates that "swollen legs can sometimes be a symptom of anything from a blood clot to diabetes to heart failure" and that could speak to the circumstances surrounding his passing.
No official word on cause of death is available at this point and it will be closely monitored by all parties involved until the final determination is made.
Kennedy had a standout career at Miami before being drafted with the No. 3 overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 1992.
As a defensive tackle, Kennedy soon proved to be a force to be reckoned with, winning the 1992 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award after recording 14 sacks and 92 total tackles. Kennedy played 11 total seasons in the NFL, all with the Seahawks. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Kennedy's No. 96 was retired by the Seahawks in 2013.
