Bruce Bennett (Canadian football) facts for kids
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Bennett from 1965 Seminole yearbook
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| Born: | December 13, 1943 Valdosta, Georgia |
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| Died: | January 12, 2021 (aged 77) Ocala, Florida |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | Safety |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| College | Florida |
| High school | Valdosta (GA) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1966–1972 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 1969 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| Career stats | |
| Games played | 112 |
| Interceptions | 35 |
| INT return yards | 606 |
Lamar Bruce Bennett Jr. (born December 13, 1943 – died January 12, 2021) was an American football player. He played as a safety. Bruce played college football for the University of Florida. He was even named an All-American! Later, he played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He spent seven seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
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Bruce Bennett's Early Life
Bruce Bennett was born in Valdosta, Georgia, in 1943. He went to Valdosta High School. There, he played quarterback for the Valdosta Wildcats football team.
In 1960, as a junior, he led his team to a big win. They beat Avondale High School 20–14 in the Georgia state championship. Bruce scored a touchdown by running. He also threw for another touchdown. With only 29 seconds left, he ran for a third score to win the game! In 1961, during his senior year, he was named a high school All-American. This means he was one of the best high school players in the country.
College Football Career
Bruce Bennett received a scholarship to attend the University of Florida. He played for coach Ray Graves' Florida Gators football team. He was on the team from 1963 to 1965.
Bruce set a record for the Gators with 13 interceptions during his college career. In 1963, he had three interceptions in one game. This helped the Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 21–14. In 1965, he was the senior defensive captain for the Gators. That year, the team finished with a 7–3 record. They also played in the 1966 Sugar Bowl, which was their first New Year's Day bowl game ever.
Bruce was chosen for the first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) in both 1964 and 1965. In 1965, he was also named a first-team All-American by United Press International. Coach Ray Graves believed Bruce was the best free safety for the Gators in the 1960s.
Bruce graduated from the University of Florida in 1968. He was later honored by being inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame. He was recognized as a "Gator Great." In 2006, The Gainesville Sun newspaper ranked him as the 38th greatest Gator player. This was based on the first 100 years of Florida football history.
Professional Football Career
In 1966, Bruce Bennett joined the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In his first year, his team won the 54th Grey Cup 29–10 against Ottawa.
Bruce played for the Roughriders from 1966 to 1972. He became one of the best safeties in the league. He was also known for his "good hands" and was often used for onside kicks. Sometimes, he even played as an emergency quarterback. During his CFL career, he completed 8 out of 17 passes.
He had a career high of eight interceptions in both 1969 and 1971. In his seven seasons in the CFL, Bruce played in 112 games. He made a total of 35 interceptions. He returned two of these for touchdowns. He also gained 606 return yards. His 35 interceptions still rank third on the Roughriders' all-time list.
His teammates chose him as the team captain four times. He was also selected as a Western Conference All-Star six times (1967–1972). In 1969, he was named a CFL All-Star.
Later Life and Passing
Bruce Bennett passed away in Ocala, Florida, on January 12, 2021. He was 77 years old. He died due to illness.
See also
- 1965 College Football All-America Team
- Florida Gators football, 1960–69
- List of Florida Gators football All-Americans
- List of University of Florida alumni
- List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
