Kent Hull, who helped lead the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, died yesterday in his hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi. Results have been released from the coroner's office confirming that Hull passed away from intestinal bleeding, similar to an aneurysm.
The 11-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowl center played his entire NFL career in Buffalo, joining the Bills' in 1986 after the collapse of the rival-league, the USFL. Hull was a key player in Buffalo's no-huddle offense, responsible for calling blocking adjustments on the fly.
Teammate Andre Reed says he admired Hull for both his talent and his humility.
Hull died in his hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife and two children. Kent Hull was 50-years-old.
Hull received the Ralph C. Wilson Distinguished Service Award in 2001 and was inducted into the Bills Wall of Fame in 2002. Former Buffalo Bill quarterback Jim Kelly, who played with Hull, issued the following statement:
"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. 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."
STATEMENT FROM BUFFALO BILLS ON THE PASSING OF KENT HULL
The Buffalo Bills organization is deeply saddened with the passing of Kent Hull. Kent was a great team leader from our Super Bowl years and the anchor of our Pro Bowl offensive line.
To those who knew him, he will long be remembered as the epitome of toughness. But more so, he was a great man who cared deeply for his family, his friends and his teammates.
We will miss him terribly, but remember him forever. We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Kay, his children Drew and Ellen, and his entire family.
STATEMENT FROM RALPH WILSON, JR. ON THE PASSING OF KENT HULL
“I am so very saddened to hear of the passing of Kent Hull.
Kent was a terrific player for us, who was often overshadowed by some of the bigger names we had in our Super Bowl years. But Kent was one of the key components of our team and of our high-powered offenses in the 90’s that enjoyed so much success.
But he was so much more than just a good player on a good team. He was a great leader on and off the field and respected by everyone who knew him. He was a true gentleman who was as nice as anyone you’d ever want to meet and as tough as any player I’ve ever known. If you were lucky enough to have Kent as a friend, you had a cherished friend for life.
This is a sad day for me and all of us in the Bills organization as well as all of our fans. I will miss Kent very much, but will always remember fondly the great man and great player that he was.
I want to offer my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay and his entire family in this most difficult time.”
FORMER BILLS HEAD COACH MARV LEVY
“Kent Hull was one of the most memorable players that I coached during my long 47-year career. He was one of the most outstanding young men I’ve ever known. Kent was a fantastic teammate and a great leader. He had outstanding ability and was a wonderful family man.
Kent was revered by his teammates, coaches, all of the great Buffalo Bills fans and certainly by me.”