Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett has penned the following letter to Hawthorn members...
Dear Members,
Early this morning, the most wonderful, humble giant, with the best of personal values left us.
John Kennedy Snr, our former player, coach and educator, died.
But his legacy will live forever within his family, the Hawthorn Football Club and among many other communities.
The coach laid the foundation for the culture which underpins Hawthorn, the Family Club.
Of course, we will miss him terribly, but he will always be with us in spirit and will be the contributor against whom we will always measure our success and values.
John Kennedy’s record as a player, coach, administrator and educator is profound.
Only weeks ago, John was elevated to Legend Status within the AFL. Recognition he would never have sought, was humbled to receive, was long overdue in my opinion, and in no way even remotely represented all the goodness that was John Kennedy Snr.
The statue of John Kennedy that graces our ground at Waverley Park, generously donated by Geoff Harris, will accompany the club wherever it exists. It symbolises strength and purpose, leadership and endeavour. But beneath the coat he wears is a humble man, with great personal values, whose life delivered a culture which will endure forever.
Jeff Kennett
President
