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But it has been difficult for the former Seahawks defensive tackle, because everywhere he has gone this week there have been constant reminders that he is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010, which will be selected Saturday.

“I’ve tried to forget about it,” Kennedy said Friday. “But it’s been hard with me being down here all week because of the Saints. Everybody keeps coming up and saying, ‘Tez, good luck on Saturday.’ I figured hanging out with the Saints would be a good distraction, but it hasn’t worked out that way.”

Kennedy went to South Florida early this week because the New Orleans Saints – his adopted team – are playing the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday. Kennedy worked as a scout for the Saints following his retirement after the 2000 season and remains close to many of the Saints’ employees who used to work for the Seahawks – a list that starts with general manager Mickey Loomis, but also includes assistant head coach Joe Vitt, director of college scouting Rick Reiprish and area scouts Terry Wooden and Mike Baugh.

During his cell phone conversation with Seahawks.com, Kennedy was on the Saints’ team bus as it was heading to the University of Miami for a final full practice before Sunday’s game. Kennedy, the third pick overall in the 1990 NFL draft, played at Miami.

“It’s made it easy for me with the Saints practicing at the U,” he said. “That way I can go by and see everybody and hang out.”

This is the second year that Kennedy has been among the finalists for the Hall of Fame. Last year, he did not make it to the next round.

This year, the group of finalists includes two other players with connections to the Seahawks: wide receiver Jerry Rice, who played 11 games in 2004 after already fashioning his Hall of Fame career with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders; and defensive tackle John Randle, who put up Hall of Fame numbers with the Minnesota Vikings before playing his final three seasons in Seattle (2001-03).

But Kennedy has become as synonymous with the Seahawks as Steve Largent, who played for the team from 1976-89 and retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. Largent was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1995, his first year of eligibility.

Kennedy was voted NFL defensive player of the year in 1992, despite playing on a 2-14 team. He also was named to the league’s team of the decade for the 1990s, voted to eight Pro Bowls, selected All-Pro three times and inducted into the Seahawks’ Ring of Honor in 2006.

The Hall of Fame selection committee will meet Saturday morning, when the list of 17 finalists will be narrowed to 10 and then those who will comprise the Class of 2010.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com will make Kennedy’s presentation to the group, and he uncovered another nugget to support Kennedy’s case this week: Only two defensive tackles in the history of the league have at least 150 starts, 50 sacks and eight Pro Bowls. Hall of Famer Randy White is one. Kennedy is the other.

“I’m thrilled to death, and humbled, to be a finalist. It’s one of those things you want to happen, but can’t really believe it ever will,” Kennedy said. “Actually getting in? That really would be something.”