Chuck Bennett facts for kids

Charles Henry Bennett (born August 9, 1907 – died June 9, 1973) was a famous American football player and coach. He played as a halfback for the Indiana University football team from 1926 to 1928. In 1928, he won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award. This award was given to the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference, a group of top college sports teams.

After college, Chuck Bennett played professional football. He played for the Portsmouth Spartans from 1930 to 1931. He also played for the Chicago Cardinals in 1933. When he stopped playing, Bennett became a high school coach and an athletic director. He worked in these roles from 1934 to 1966.

Chuck Bennett's Football Journey

Growing Up and High School

Chuck Bennett was born in Linton, Indiana. He went to Linton High School. There, he was a star football player. He helped his school win two state football championships in a row. Everyone agreed he was the best halfback in the state both years. People said he got his strong body from working hard in the coal mines.

College Football at Indiana University

After high school, Bennett went to Indiana University. He played halfback for the Indiana Hoosiers football team. He played from 1926 to 1928. During his college years, he was about five feet, nine inches tall and weighed around 193 pounds.

Freshman Year: 1926

In 1926, as a freshman, Bennett scored two touchdowns in his very first game. This was against DePauw. Indiana won that game 31–7. The team finished the season with three wins and five losses. Bennett scored seven of the team's eleven touchdowns that year.

Sophomore Year: 1927

In 1927, the Indiana team had three wins, four losses, and one tie. They scored 104 points in eight games. Bennett was known for his toughness. He played every minute of the games against Chicago, Minnesota, and Harvard. In the Harvard game, he scored Indiana's only points with a 30-yard touchdown run. At the end of the 1927 season, his teammates chose him to be the offensive captain for the next year.

Senior Year: 1928

As a senior in 1928, Bennett became famous for how tough he was and how well he ran the ball. In the first game against Wabash College, he scored both of Indiana's touchdowns. Indiana won 14–0. In the next game, he scored the only touchdown in a 10–7 win against Oklahoma.

The third game was against Michigan. Indiana had never beaten Michigan before. But Bennett played the whole game, and his long runs helped Indiana win 6–0. This was their first win ever against Michigan!

After winning their first three games, Indiana played against Big Ten Conference champion Illinois. Illinois won 13–7. Bennett scored Indiana's only touchdown in that game. He also threw some forward passes. The Illinois coach, Bob Zuppke, praised Bennett's amazing performance.

Later, Bennett led Indiana to a 6–0 win over Northwestern. He had a 72-yard touchdown run on a muddy field. His last game for Indiana was against Purdue. Indiana lost 14–0, but Bennett still ran for 149 yards!

Even though his team finished ninth in the Big Ten, Bennett won the 1928 Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy. This award recognized him as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference. He was also asked to play in the annual East–West Shrine Game in California. Bennett scored two touchdowns in that game and was named the game's Outstanding Player.

His coach, Pat Page, told the Chicago Daily Tribune that Bennett was an "inspirational player." He said Bennett was a great leader and ball carrier. Bennett also received the first Balfour Award as Indiana's most valuable football player. He was a popular student, too. He was elected president of his junior class and was part of a fraternity and an honorary club.

Professional Football Career

In June 1929, Bennett signed a contract to play professional football. He joined the Portsmouth Spartans, which later became the Detroit Lions. At the time, the Spartans were a new team. Signing a famous player like Bennett helped make the team seem more important. The Portsmouth Daily Times said he would bring "a lot of color, prestige and, best of all, a real driving power." Bennett played for the Portsmouth Spartans until 1931. He also played for the Chicago Cardinals in 1933.

Coach and Athletic Director

After his playing career, Chuck Bennett became a football coach. He started coaching high school football and track in LaPorte, Indiana, from 1934 to 1937. In 1937, he moved to Austin, Minnesota, to coach football and be the athletic director for two years.

In 1939, Bennett became a football coach and athletic director at Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Illinois. He coached the football team there for 21 years. His teams won 11 championships in the West Suburban Conference. One of his players, Lou Saban, later became a head coach for NFL teams like the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. In 1958, the Chicago Tribune said Bennett had made Lyons Township High School a top sports school.

Bennett stopped being the head football coach in 1960. But he continued to be the school's athletic director. He won the President's Cup 20 times at Lyons Township. This award was for being the best overall sports program in the West Suburban Conference. He retired in June 1966 because of health reasons.

Family Life

Chuck Bennett passed away in 1973 when he was 65 years old. He was survived by his wife, Charlotta, and their two sons, Charles H. Bennett and Byron Bennett. His son Charles later had four children: Richard, Fred, Charles, and Jenny.