OT: HOF Cortez Kennedy dead at 48

[Joey007]

Was a great player that endured some bad Seattle teams throughout the 90's. Always liked him.

RIP.

 

[Tuck]

Anyone have a good source for the average life expectancy of an NFL player? I thought I read somewhere that it's 53 and I didn't believe it at the time but I'm starting to wonder if it's true.

 

[Dagg]

yikes 48 waaaay to young go easy big fella

 

[The Gr8est]

Was built a lot like Vincent Wilfork as I recall.

Not the best build for longevity.

 

[Gwedd]

Was built a lot like Vincent Wilfork as I recall.

Not the best build for longevity.

The problem with that build is that it can lead to either high blood pressure, or Type II Diabetes, or both.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Was built a lot like Vincent Wilfork as I recall.

Not the best build for longevity.

Yep. Kennedy was a large human being.

 

[supafly]

Cortez the killer--rip

 

[Tony2046]

Anyone have a good source for the average life expectancy of an NFL player? I thought I read somewhere that it's 53 and I didn't believe it at the time but I'm starting to wonder if it's true.

There is conflicting reports on their life expectancy and their quality of life. Some report that their overall life is better than the general public while others report that it's much worse.

Harvard and others have been slated to run a ten year study to research the matter.

NFL players union and Harvard team up on landmark study of football injuries and illness

I'm not sure why they can't interview all ex NFL players.

 

[Bella*chick]

I'm thinking what position you played may have a lot to do with it. A lot of the really big guys seem to have the dramatically shortened lives but that makes sense given the problems that come with their size in general.

 

[oldrover]

Gone too soon. Prayers and condolences to his family, and for Cortez's immortal soul, that the good Lord rest him and keep him.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm thinking what position you played may have a lot to do with it. A lot of the really big guys seem to have the dramatically shortened lives but that makes sense given the problems that come with their size in general.

Yep. That's why I'm really hoping that Big Vince slims down a lot after his playing career comes to a close.

 

[Joey007]

Was built a lot like Vincent Wilfork as I recall.

Not the best build for longevity.

It appears that he was actually a very significant role model for Vince. His Facebook today..

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Here's a retrospective from 2015, looking back at the draft class of 1990 (Jeff George, Kennedy, Seau, etc.) and doing a where are they now.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/04/28/sports/football/nfl-draft-class-1990.html

Generally sad stuff, especially coming to it knowing that Kennedy - a bright spot by any measure - has passed.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Anyone have a good source for the average life expectancy of an NFL player? I thought I read somewhere that it's 53 and I didn't believe it at the time but I'm starting to wonder if it's true.

I heard a while ago defensive and offensive linemen live 20-30 years shorter than the average person.

This is from a Forbes article 2013 I believe.

“For all players who play five or more years, life expectancy is less than 60; for linemen it is much less.”

“Whereas white males live to 78 years and African-American males live to approximately 70 years, it appears that professional football players in both the United States and Canada have life expectancies in the mid to late 50’s.”


Playing along the line in the NFL is absolutely insane. It's basically the equivalent to 50-60 car crashes a game.

Wilfork will forever be one of my all time favs. Basically fought 2 guys for a living weighing 600+ lbs. That's a guy who earned every penny he made. Hope I see him shaking his ass into his 80's.

 

[BTTA]

The problem with that build is that it can lead to either high blood pressure, or Type II Diabetes, or both.

Yes, and that's tip of the iceberg. Arterial damage, clots and stroke, to say nothing of joints, feet, and back deterioration.
One reason to celebrate Vollmer's drop below 250 lbs.

 

[turkeyneck]

I'm thinking what position you played may have a lot to do with it. A lot of the really big guys seem to have the dramatically shortened lives but that makes sense given the problems that come with their size in general.

I'd speculate that it's the guys who get bigger after they retire who are most at-risk. Guys who get smaller are probably doing themselves a world of good.