Twitter Tributes to Cortez Kennedy from Miami Hurricanes Community

The Miami Hurricanes community lost a legend on Tuesday. Miami Athletic and Pro Football Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy passed away at the age of 48 in his home in Orlando.

Kennedy played two years at Miami including anchoring the Defensive line on the 1989 National Champions. In his two seasons in Miami, the Hurricanes went 22-2.

The tributes came from throughout the Miami family quickly when the announcement of his death was made. From former teammates and his first Head Coach at Miami Jimmy Johnson to current Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt, the Canesverse was saddened to hear about his untimely passing.

Dozens of tributes were posted to social media to honor the ‘Tez.

Jimmy Johnson recruited Kennedy to Miami from Mississippi Junior College and coached him during the 1988 season. The Hurricanes went 11-1. If not for a questionable call on a Cleveland Gary fumble at Notre Dame, the Hurricanes would have had a chance at the second of what could have been three straight championships.

The Miami defense allowed 9.6 points per game in 1988, second in the nation.

The NFL Network played tribute to Kennedy with a video:

Kennedy became the fourth Hurricane to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Reggie Wayne entered the U seven years after Kennedy’s departure. Like Kennedy, he was a first round draft pick. He is likely to join Kennedy in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday.

Miami-based director and Hurricanes alum Billy Corben also paid tribute. Corben and his producing partner Albert Spellman did the documentaries on “The U”

Current Miami Head coach Mark Richt played for the Hurricanes from 1978-82. He missed Kennedy by six years. He was the offensive coordinator for East Carolina in 1989. That was his first season as an offensive coordinator. He had previously been a graduate assistant at Florida State.

Richt would return to FSU as a Quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. During his one season at ECU, the Hurricanes defeated the Pirates 40-10 in 1989 during Kennedy’s Senior season.

Two Live Crew front man, huge Miami Hurricanes fan, football coach and occasional writer Luther Campbell also paid tribute to Kennedy.

Jarrett Payton is the son of Kennedy’s Pro Football Hall of Fame of “teammate” Walter Payton. Payton played for Miami from 1999-2003. He was the MVP of Miami’s 2004,16-14 Orange Bowl victory over Florida State.

Leon Searcy played at Miami from 1988-91. He was a part of the same recruiting class Kennedy was. Like Kennedy, Searcy is a member of the University of Miami Hall of Fame. He played eight seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Searcy was the 11th pick of the first round in the 1992 NFL Draft. He played eight seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Searcy paid tribute to Tez as his partner playing cards.

Jeremy Shockey was on the Hurricanes most recent National Championship team in 2001. He was a typical Miami player. Shockey was loud and brash. Kennedy was more of the type of player that let his play on the field do the talking.

Jimmy Graham only played one season of football at Miami. He began his career as a Hurricane on the Basketball team. He is currently playing for the Seahawks where Kennedy spent his entire NFL career.

Vince Wilfork was also on the 2001 Miami National Championship team. He continue the greatness of Miami defensive lineman. Wilfork also won Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

Alonzo Highsmith was a star running back for the Hurricanes from 1983-86. He led Miami in rushing as a Sophomore in 1984 and Senior in 1986. He had the most carries on the team his final three seasons as a Hurricane.

Ottis Anderson was the Miami career rushing leader until it was broken by Duke Johnson in 2014. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XXV. Anderson played at Miami from 1975-78. He led the Hurricanes in rushing his final three seasons in college.

His final season coincided with Lou Saban’s last year. The following season Howard Schnellenberger took over.

Randall Hill was one of the fastest and most electric players in Miami history.

Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Gino Torretta paid tribute via the Miami Equipment room.

Next: Miami Hurricanes Great Cortez Kennedy Passes Away

Cortez Kennedy and Warren Sapp are the only true defensive linemen from Miami that are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be greatly missed.