Cornelius Bennett

Last updated

Cornelius Bennett
No. 55, 97
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1965-08-25) August 25, 1965 (age 59)
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school: Ensley (Birmingham)
College: Alabama (1983–1986)
NFL draft: 1987  / round: 1 / pick:  2
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:1,190
Sacks:71.5
Forced fumbles:31
Interceptions:7
Stats at Pro Football Reference
College Football Hall of Fame

Cornelius O'Landa Bennett (born August 25, 1965) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Buffalo Bills from 1987 to 1995, Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998, and the Indianapolis Colts from 1999 to 2000. Bennett was a five-time Pro Bowler, being elected in 1988, and 1990–1993, and won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award twice (1988 and 1991).

Contents

Early life

Bennett was born in Birmingham, Alabama. [1] He played halfback and several other positions while attending Ensley High School in Birmingham. Bennett was an excellent basketball and baseball player during his high school career. Bennett was an all-state performer for the football team his senior year, amassing over 1,000 yards on 101 rushes. Bennett was nicknamed "Biscuit" by friends because he always had room for one more. [2] [3]

College career

Bennett played for the University of Alabama from 1983 to 1986. [4] Bennett was a first selection on the College Football All-America Team three times (1984–1986). He is one of only two Alabama players to be named to three All-America teams, the other being fellow linebacker Woodrow Lowe. As a senior, he won the Lombardi Award, SEC Player of the Year honors, and finished 7th in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. [5] [6] [7] In his four seasons at the University of Alabama, Bennett recorded 287 tackles, 21+1⁄2 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. His most famous play was in 1986 when he leveled Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein, immortalized in a painting by artist Daniel Moore titled simply, ‘The Sack.’ [8] In 2005, Bennett was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. [9]

Professional career

L. T.'s in a class all by himself. I'll put L. T. first, then Tippett, and Bennett behind him.

—  Jets fullback Roger Vick, ranking the NFL's best pass rushers during the 1988 season. [10]

After his college career, Bennett was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the second pick of the 1987 NFL draft. [11] The 1987 draft class was deemed the "Year of Linebacker", but Bennett was considered to stand "head-and-shoulders above the rest." [12] Bennett was Alabama's highest draft selection since quarterback Richard Todd went 6th overall in 1976. [13]

Bennett and the Colts were unable to come to an agreement on a contract. Bennett was then dealt to the Buffalo Bills from the Colts in a three-way trade that also included Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson and Bills running back Greg Bell. This trade occurred in the fall of the 1987 season, just before the trade deadline, and has been called "the trade of the decade" by The New York Times . [14]

In the NFL, Bennett's talent at the left outside linebacker position helped the teams he played for to five Super Bowl appearances (four with Buffalo and one with Atlanta), but they lost them all (an NFL record he shares with offensive lineman Glenn Parker [15] ). In his 14 NFL seasons, he recorded 71+1⁄2 sacks, 7 interceptions, 31 forced fumbles, 27 fumble recoveries and three touchdowns (one interception, one fumble return, and one blocked field goal return). [16]

At the time of his retirement, Bennett's 27 defensive fumble recoveries were the third most in NFL history.[ citation needed ]

Bennett was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. [17]

Bennett is a cousin of former New England Patriots defensive end, the late Marquise Hill. [18]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTfLIntYdsTDPDFFFR
1987 BUF 8769––8.5–––––50
1988 BUF 1616103––9.5–2300–33
1989 BUF 121254––5.5–250–12
1990 BUF 161696––4.0–––––32
1991 BUF 1616107––9.0–––––42
1992 BUF 151581––4.0–––––23
1993 BUF 1616102––5.0–150–22
1994 BUF 16167758195.0–––––13
1995 BUF 141410481232.0–1691–12
1996 ATL 1313605283.0–130–22
1997 ATL 16169068227.0–––––21
1998 ATL 16169269231.0–––––02
1999 IND 161610572335.010–––552
2000 IND 16155036143.06–––401
Career 2062041,19043614271.5167119193127

Personal life

In May 1997, [19] Bennett committed "vicious acts" [20] during a sexual assault of a woman at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Buffalo. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in jail for sexual misconduct. He was also placed on three years' probation, fined $500, ordered to perform 100 hours of community service, ordered to pay back $617 in medical bills for the woman, [21] and ordered to undergo anger-management and substance-abuse counseling. [22]

Bennett lives in Hollywood, Florida, with his second wife, Kimberly Bennett.[ citation needed ]

In May 2010, Bennett announced he will donate his brain for a CTE study, Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, of long-term brain injuries resulting from football-related injuries. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Smith</span> American football player (born 1963)

Bruce Bernard Smith is an American former professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 19 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies, where he was a twice All-American, and was selected with the first overall pick by the Bills in the 1985 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwight Freeney</span> American football player (born 1980)

Dwight Jason Freeney is an American former professional football player who played as a defensive end and linebacker for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), most notably as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football for the Syracuse Orange, earning unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. With the Colts, Freeney won Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears, and made seven Pro Bowls. He also played for the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Hendricks</span> Guatemalan-born American football player (born 1947)

Theodore Paul Hendricks, nicknamed "the Mad Stork," is a Guatemalan-American former professional football linebacker who played for 15 seasons with the Baltimore Colts, the Green Bay Packers, and the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Tippett</span> American football player (born 1959)

Andre Bernard Tippett Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American in 1981. A second-round pick in the 1982 NFL draft, Tippett was selected to five Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice in his career. Since 2007, he has been the Patriots' executive director of community affairs. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Duane Clair Bickett is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers. Bickett played college football for the USC Trojans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Posluszny</span> American football player (born 1984)

Paul Michael Posluszny is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he won the Chuck Bednarik Award twice and the Dick Butkus Award, and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. Following four years in Buffalo, Posluszny spent the remainder of his career with the Jaguars. Posluszny earned Pro Bowl honors during the 2013 season after leading the league in solo tackles. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Mathis</span> American football player and coach (born 1981)

Robert Nathan Mathis is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 14-year career as a defensive end and linebacker with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and was selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft. A two-time All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler, Mathis won the Super Bowl XLI with the Colts in 2006 over the Chicago Bears. He is also the NFL's all-time leader in forced fumbles and strip sacks. The year after retiring, Mathis joined the Colts as an assistant defensive coach.

Maxie Callaway Baughan Jr. was an American professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). Baughan played linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Redskins. He later served as a linebacker coach and defensive coordinator for several college and NFL teams. Baughan played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Johnie Earl Cooks was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Cooks was selected by the Baltimore Colts as the second overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft. He played from 1982 to 1991 for the Colts, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns. He was a member of the Giants when they defeated the Buffalo Bills 20–19 in Super Bowl XXV. Cooks played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Jon Thomas Hand is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. Hand was selected by the Colts with the fourth overall pick in the 1986 NFL draft. He played college football at Alabama.

Jude Scott Radecic is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

The 1987 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 12th season in the National Football League, the 12th playing their home games at Tampa Stadium, and the first under head coach Ray Perkins. It was a year of great change for the Buccaneers. Perkins had only needed three seasons (1979–1981) to build the New York Giants into a playoff team, and it was hoped that he would be able to repeat the feat with the Buccaneers. They improved over their 2–14 record from 1986 and finished 4–11.

The 1987 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 18th season in the National Football League, and 28th overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dont'a Hightower</span> American football player (born 1990)

Qualin Dont'a Hightower is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the inside linebackers coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for nine seasons with the Patriots. Hightower played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, receiving consensus All-American honors and winning two BCS National Championships. Selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Patriots, he was named to two Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowl titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Von Miller</span> American football player (born 1989)

Vonnie B'VSean Miller is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Miller played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, where he earned consensus All-American honors and the Butkus Award. He was selected by the Denver Broncos second overall in the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcell Dareus</span> American football player (born 1990)

Marcell Dareus is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was named defensive MVP of the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. Dareus was selected by the Buffalo Bills third overall in the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalil Mack</span> American football player (born 1991)

Khalil Delshon Mack is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Buffalo Bulls and was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Milano</span> American football player (born 1994)

Matthew Vincent Milano is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaquille Leonard</span> American football player (born 1995)

Darius Shaquille Leonard is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the South Carolina State Bulldogs and was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In his rookie season, Leonard led the league in tackles and was named a First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year; he was also voted into the NFL Top 100 the following offseason. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quay Walker</span> American football player (born 2000)

JaQuavian Jy'Quese "Quay" Walker is an American professional football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ Kausler Jr., Don (June 28, 2011). "Ex-Tide star Cornelius Bennett spends his days helping others now". AL.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  2. ↑ Utterback, Bill (September 2, 1988). "Trying To Avoid Bills' Bennett Has Become Foes' No. 1 Pastime". Chicago Tribune. Scripps Howard News Service. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  3. ↑ Smith, Stephen M. (June 25, 2015). "Cornelius Bennett's Path To The NFL". TD Alabama Magazine. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Cornelius Bennett voted into Hall of Fame". The Tuscaloosa News. May 18, 2005. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Vince Lombardi Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  6. ↑ "SEC Player of the Year Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  7. ↑ "1986 Heisman Trophy Voting". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  8. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (January 5, 1989). "Bennett of Bills Already Rated As One of the N.F.L.'s Best". New York Times. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Cornelius Bennett Enshrined into College Football Hall of Fame". University of Alabama Athletics. August 12, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  10. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (October 17, 1988). "Bills' Bennett Says He's Best". New York Times. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  11. ↑ "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  12. ↑ Horrigon, Joe. "The MMQB NFL All-Time Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  14. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (December 18, 1987). "Trade for Bennett Pays Off for Bills". New York Times. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  15. ↑ Weinfuss, Josh (January 31, 2014). "Cards broadcaster lost 5 Super Bowls". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Cornelius Bennett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Cornelius Bennett". Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  18. ↑ "FOX Facts: NFL Player Marquise Hill Found Dead in New Orleans' Lake Ponchartrain". Fox News. May 28, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  19. ↑ Fabrizio, Tony. "Cornelius Bennett: Back on Top - TheCabin.net". thecabin.net. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  20. ↑ "JUDGE SAYS CORNELIUS BENNETT MUST DO JAIL TIME IN SEX ASSAULT". April 1, 1998. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. ↑ "N.F.L.: NOTEBOOK; Bennett Draws Jail Term in Sex Case". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 27, 1998.
  22. ↑ "USATODAY.com - Cases involving athletes and sexual assault". usatoday30.usatoday.com.
  23. ↑ Segrast, Doug (May 12, 2010). "Cornelius Bennett's putting brain where his mouth is for future NFL players". AL.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.

Further reading

  • Scott, Richard (2004). "Cornelius Bennett". Legends of Alabama Football. Sports Publishing. pp. 176–181. ISBN   1-58261-277-3.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.