Cornelius Bennett facts for kids
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | August 25, 1965 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
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| 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 | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Cornelius O'Landa Bennett (born August 25, 1965) is a former American football player. He was a talented linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Bennett played for the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, and Indianapolis Colts. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times. He also won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award twice.
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Early Life and High School Football
Cornelius Bennett was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He played many positions in high school, including halfback. He went to Ensley High School in Birmingham. Bennett was also a great basketball and baseball player. In his senior year, he was an all-state football player. He ran for over 1,000 yards. His friends gave him the nickname "Biscuit." They said he always had room for one more.
College Football Career
Bennett played college football for the University of Alabama. He played there from 1983 to 1986. He was named to the College Football All-America Team three times. Only one other Alabama player has done this. As a senior, he won the Lombardi Award. This award goes to the best college football lineman or linebacker. He was also named SEC Player of the Year.
During his time at Alabama, Bennett made 287 tackles. He also had 21.5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries. One of his most famous plays was in 1986. He tackled Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein. This play was so famous it was even painted by an artist. In 2005, Bennett was chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame.
Playing in the NFL
After college, the Indianapolis Colts picked Bennett. He was the second player chosen in the 1987 NFL draft. Many people thought he was the best linebacker in that draft. He was the highest draft pick from Alabama since 1976.
Bennett did not sign a contract with the Colts right away. So, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills. This was a big trade that also involved the Los Angeles Rams. The New York Times called it "the trade of the decade."
Bennett was a very talented player for the Bills. He helped his teams reach the Super Bowl five times. Four times with Buffalo and once with Atlanta. However, his teams lost all five Super Bowls. This is an NFL record he shares with another player.
In his 14 seasons in the NFL, Bennett had 71.5 sacks. He also had 7 interceptions and 31 forced fumbles. He recovered 27 fumbles and scored three touchdowns. When he retired, his 27 fumble recoveries were the third most in NFL history.
Bennett was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He is also a cousin of former NFL player Marquise Hill.
Life After Football
Cornelius Bennett lives in Hollywood, Florida, with his wife, Kimberly Bennett.
In 2010, Bennett announced something important. He decided to donate his brain for a study. This study looks at Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a brain injury that can happen from repeated hits to the head in sports like football. This research helps scientists learn more about player safety.
