"Cortez Kennedy spent years waiting for his Hall of Fame call, which is kind of funny considering how he learned of his selection Saturday.

"I had to watch it on TV like everyone else," Kennedy said.

The selections were announced on the NFL Network, and when Kennedy learned that his 11-year career as a Seattle Seahawk had earned him the honor of enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, well, there wasn't much else to do.

"I cried," he said. "It was so emotional."

Kennedy will be present in Indianapolis on Sunday for the Super Bowl, and he will be inducted into the hall Aug. 4 in Canton, Ohio.

Kennedy was one of 17 finalists considered Saturday by the Hall of Fame selection committee in Indianapolis. He was one of six who will be inducted this year, meaning he received at least 80 percent of the votes from the 44-member panel. Cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, pass-rusher Chris Doleman, running back Curtis Martin and offensive tackle Willie Roaf were also selected.

Kennedy is 43, and this was his fourth time as a Hall of Fame finalist. He will be the seventh player who was a member of the Seahawks to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but only the second to be inducted as a Seahawk. He joins Steve Largent, who was honored in 1995.

Kennedy was at his home in Orlando, Fla., when he learned of the news. He was elated. He was grateful. Mostly, he was overwhelmed.

"I don't know what to say," he said.

That's OK. His career spoke for itself. He was a defensive tackle, as thankless a job as there is in football, and he played that underappreciated position for a team that can often be overlooked in the NFL."