He was the brains up front that help make the Bills' famed K-Gun offense go. He was a leader in the locker room whose play never required him to say too much, but when he did say something it was taken as law. He was also the team's most willing and effective communicator with the media. A durable and rugged offensive lineman with an off the field persona that exemplified Southern charm. That in essence was Kent Hull the player and the man, who passed at his Mississippi home Tuesday at age 50, prompting an outpouring of condolences from his former teammates and online from those that knew him.
"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," said Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly in a statement. "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."
"When I came into the league, Kent was instantly my guardian," said Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas in a statement. "I would talk noise on the field only because I knew that he'd be there every time to defend and protect me. Our hearts are broken. Myself, my wife Patti and our four children send our love and prayers to his wonderful family. He was my teammate, a brother and a best friend. He will be in my heart forever. Please add that I owe a lot of that stitching in my hall of fame jacket to Kent Hull."
"Kent was an incredible teammate, human being and friend," said Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. "No matter what you're status was on the team he treated everyone the same. His humor, personality and integrity were so genuine. It's certainly a sad day for his family, the Bills family and all of those who loved him."
"I was truly shocked to lose a former teammate at such a young age," said Steve Christie. "He was the backbone of the Bill's offense during the Super Bowl era. I was honored to be his teammate on and off the field. Personally, Kent played a major part of what I would consider to be my most memorable years in the NFL. My heart goes out to his family and my prayers are with them."
"We the Buffalo Bills family lost a piece of us today," said fellow Wall of Famer Andre Reed on his twitter account. "My heart aches for the Hull family who I love dearly RIP Kent!!! U will be so missed."
"In everybody's life they need some quality people and very few people have the ability to help make a change in one's life," said Wall of Famer Steve Tasker. "Kent Hull was one of those people for a lot of us on the Buffalo Bills. He was a positive influence, a great example and a relentless friend."
"Kent Hull was one of the most memorable players that I coached during my long 47-year career," said Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy in a statement. "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."
"Kent Hull taught me most of what I know about playing O-line in the NFL," said 9-time Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown. "A Legend is gone and I will miss my big brother. One Love."
teambryanscottBryan Scott
The Bills family lost a member today... My thoughts and prayers are with the Hull Family.
GWilson37George Wilson
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hull family. May God guide and keep u all during this difficult time.
jairusbyrd jairus byrd
Never met Mr. Hull but I hear that he was a great man on and off the field...#**prayers** for the Hull family
StevieJohnson13 Stevie Johnson
I hear my fanollowers prayers for #**Bills** SuperBowl center Kent Hull after his passing. Didnt meet him but he's a brother. Salute.
Spencejohnson91 Spencer Johnson
Prayers go out to the Hull family, Mr. Hull was a great player, but I hear he was an even better man!!
markschlereth mark schlereth
My heartfelt prayers to the family kent hull who passed away at 51.
mortreportChris Mortensen
Just read about former Bills great - and I mean great - center Kent Hull dead at 50. How devastating. Always felt he should've been in more Pro Bowls & was HOF-debate worthy.
**viccarucci**: When Hull retired in '96, those covering #**Bills** held a luncheon for him. He was our consummate go-to guy in that lockerroom.
SIPeterKingPeter King
One of the most underrated centers, Kent Hull, has died. I knew Kent well, and he was one hell of a guy. I covered the Bills glory teams a lot, and other than Talley and Tasker, Hull was my go-to guy. Honest, helpful, and one heck of a center. Hull once told me before a playoff game: "I love this team. I love this town. We're all so lucky to be here, like Marv [Levy] says, 'The men who appreciate where they are and what they have and know they're at a special moment in time--those are the men I admired a lot."
RalphCindrich Ralph Cindrich (NFL agent)
#**KentHull**. All Pro father, husband, player, friend. Real leader of #**Bills** during SB years-loved. I'm stunned & sick at news of his passing.
