Former Buffalo Bills center Kent Hull has passed away at the age of 50. Hull was a leader of the Bills’ team that made the trip to the Super Bowl for four consecutive years and he was selected for the Pro Bowl three times.
In a statement Monday, former Bills teammate Jim Kelly said, “Words fall short when the pain runs so deep. I’m finding it hard to describe what this loss means to me and my family. Kent Hull was my best friend. A man of great courage, faith and character. He will be missed and never forgotten.”
Andre Reed, former Buffalo Bill and fellow teammate said, “The Bills family lost not only a great football player, but even a better man. I will miss him dearly.”
In 1997 Hull was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and in 2002 was added to the Buffalo Wall of Fame.
“My family and I will continue to pray for Kent’s wife Kay and his two children, Drew and Ellen as they grieve the loss of this great man,” Kelly said.
Buffalo reporter Dave McKinley wrote, “Most of you remember #67 as perhaps the best center the Bills ever had. The rugged, reliable all-pro, who missed only two games in a 14 year professional career (3 with the USFL). At least those are the video images you’ll see played over the news and sports casts during the next day or so.”
McKinley then shared what he said was “a more endearing, if not enduring clip of Kent Hull.”
The video is of McKinley’s interview with Hull from a children’s hospital ward where Hull talks about his charitable work to help the only children’s hospital in his home state of Mississippi. Hull’s passion, kindness and love for children shine through his eyes when he speaks. You can watch the video here www.youtube.com/watch.
Hull when thanked by a child for his kindness says, “no, thank you for letting me do this.”
Former Bills coach Marv Levy also remembered Hull’s passion for others, “Of all 47 years of my coaching career, this was one of the most memorable guys I ever had the honor to coach. I’m so sad to hear it. He was a great leader, certainly. He was as likable a guy as you could meet, family-oriented, a great citizen. I’m stunned.”
Hull suffered a heart attack. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hull’s family and all of his extended Bills family.
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