For Tez, it’s a ‘Big Dawg’s’ life

[News Bot]

Is it even possible to have a Seahawks 35th Anniversary team without Cortez Kennedy? It’s a question that doesn’t even need to be asked, because the obvious answer is, “Of course not.” “But it’s still great,” Kennedy said when informed of the obvious. “Really, that’s great.” So was Kennedy, who redefined the definition of dominant [...]

Is it even possible to have a Seahawks 35th Anniversary team without Cortez Kennedy?

It’s a question that doesn’t even need to be asked, because the obvious answer is, “Of course not.”

“But it’s still great,” Kennedy said when informed of the obvious. “Really, that’s great.”

So was Kennedy, who redefined the definition of dominant during his 11-season career with the Seahawks (1990-2000). So when the readers of Seahawks.com voted for the 35th Anniversary team, the man known as Tez – among other nicknames – was an overwhelming choice as one of the defensive tackles.

In fact, only Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent (5,004) generated more votes than the man who also answers to “Big Dawg” (4,172).

“Big Dawg”? That one came early, and comes with a story.

It was Jeff Bryant who first put the canine moniker on Kennedy, who was selected as the third player overall in the 1990 draft to join an already formidable line that featured end Jacob Green and tackle Joe Nash, who also are on the reader-selected team; as well as Bryant.

“When you go hunting, you want to take the big dog,” Bryant explained at the time. “That’s Tez. He’s our ‘Big Dawg.’ ”

On the field, and even off, Kennedy sunk his teeth into a Hall of Fame-worthy career that is the focus of the ninth in a series of features profiling the 29 players voted to the 35th Anniversary team.

Source: Seahawks.com